 Cherry-blossom viewing season is almost here!
The air is thick with excitement each spring and everyone wants to know when and where the best cherry blossom - viewing spots will be.
Cherry blossoms are ubiquitous throughout Japan, but Yoshinoyama (Mt. Yoshino) in Nara Prefecture is Japan's most famous cherry blossom spot. The mountainside boats over 30,000 trees of 200 different varieties. Together with Mount Koya and Kumano, Yoshino was designated a cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 as part of the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range".
 From the end of March 2008, a cherry blossom perfume that uses the scents from last year's blossoms on the mountain, "Eau de parfum," will go on sale. The perfume was developed in a cooperative effort between JTB, Shiseido and the Yoshinoyama tourist Association. A portionof the revenue will be used to preserve Yoshinoyama's trees, which face serious risk of disease due to heavytraffic and garbage left behind during the cherry blossom-viewing season.  There are fears that the number of cherry blossoms might dramatically decrease in the near future. The perfume can be purchased at ryokans (Japanese-style inns) in the Yoshinoyama area, souvenir shops and some Shiseido shops in Nara.
They say that smell has a strong association with memories. You might not be able to bring back an entire cherry tree, but you can bring back its sweet scent, and that scent will help bring back memories of the fun you had while in Japan. You will also be helping to preserve the trees for the future!
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 The Hotel New Otani, a sophisticated luxury hotel located in the heart of Tokyo, performed a major renovation of its main building last year. The 11th and 12th floors are now occupied by Executive House Zen, a new high - grade ghotel within a hotelh that offers top-class service and comfort with a refined Japanese taste.
Executive House Zen has a spacious lounge (200 sq meters) for the exclusive use of its guests, and the guest rooms and facilities, including check - in and check-out,  are separated from the main hotel area. Its experienced staff and concierges are also fully dedicated to serving only Executive House guests.
Executive House Zen's luxurious interior is designed around Japanese nature. 
The walls consist of full - height glazed windows that compliment the open and spacious atmosphere. The exquisite Japanese garden that sits outside the window creates a truly unique ambiance.
Executive House Zen has 87 guest rooms, all non - smoking. It goes without saying that the amenities are top-class; each quality item has been hand-picked from the finest items in the world. Don't forget to try the Pierre Herme's croissants for breakfast; these famous delights can only be found at Executive House Zen in Japan. |
