9599

Yesterday was a holiday, Kenkoku kinen no hi (National Foundation Day), so we went to check out the ume (plum/apricot)
 

They were filming a J-drama "Ensemble" at the nearby Rengetsu, which we've eaten at before.

Flowers at Gonjoin

So pretty

The ume at Ikegami Baien were only 40% in bloom

We could see Mount Fuji from the top of the Ikegami Hall.

It was my first time seeing a woodpecker. 

I had heard a tapping sound as we passed by a bunch of trees on our way to Yogenji and I spotted it. Video here.

I learned that woodpeckers peck wood to catch bugs, tell their friends where they are and to mark their territory.

Lunch at MOS...I tried their chicken tatsuta burger...delicious!

The wind is still icy but it was nice to get out and about.