Experiences – Life – Inspiration 🇨🇭🇯🇵

Today, Hiromi and I wanted to visit the Usuzumi Zakura in Neo Valley again — it’s that magical moment when it’s in full bloom, and we didn’t want to miss it. With high hopes, we set out in the afternoon, imagining the soft pink petals and the peaceful atmosphere around that ancient cherry tree.

But as we approached the area, we hit a traffic jam.

It seemed like half of Gifu Prefecture had the same idea. The line of cars stretched on, barely moving, and the later it got, the clearer it became: we’d be stuck for at least an hour, and even then, finding a parking spot would be another challenge.

To our disappointment, we made the call to turn around and head back home.

The moment reminded me of another time — last October, when I visited Shirakawago with my mother. We spent nearly two hours stuck in traffic before finally parking. By the time we arrived, the sun had already slipped behind the mountains, and Shirakawago — beautiful as it was — felt cold and quiet, its charm dulled by the fading light.

Today could’ve ended the same way.

But instead of forcing it, we chose to adapt. We took the countryside roads back through Neo Valley, slowly, peacefully. Along the way, we saw other cherry blossom trees lining the Neo River, in full bloom, glowing in the soft afternoon light.

We stopped a few times, took in the view, and let the fresh spring air remind us that even if the day didn’t go as planned, there was still beauty — just in different places than we expected.

It wasn’t the Usuzumi Zakura.

But it was enough.

And maybe that’s the lesson for today.