Winter is now a distant memory. Spring has fully taken root, filling the air with the scent of flowers. After heavy rains during the night, the sky is so blue, it takes your breath away. Clean air is not a luxury. It is a necessity for happiness.

Walkways and roads lined with flowering cherries can be found all over Japan. The longest is more than 12 miles long and lined with 6,500 cherry trees. I have fond memories of biking in the countryside in the spring and seeing rows of mountain cherries in full bloom, looking like low hanging clouds against the dark evergreens.

Even the chickens enjoy a stroll under the cherry blossoms. King Richard is out with some of the hens, looking up at the cherry blossoms and wondering when their blossoms will flutter down so they can snack on them.

The five great cherry trees of Japan

• 三春滝桜 Miharutakizakura 1,000 years old
• 石戸蒲ザクラ Ishitokabazakura 800+ years old
• 神代桜 Jindaizakura 1,800 to 2,000 years old
• 淡墨桜 Usuzumizakura 1,500+ years old
• 狩宿の下馬ザクラ Kariyadonogebazakura 800+ years old