Hanami-ing

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Stop and Smell the Flowers

Hanami season is a special time in Japan. Literally meaning "flower viewing", it starts of around the end of March, when the Sakura cherry blossoms begin to bloom. These trees can be seen just about everywhere, but its frequency does not take away from people's appreciation. Many festivals take place in the countrie's public parks, and flocks of people gather to enjoy the blooming flowers. Many like to have picnics, where they spend the entire day just laughing, eating, and, drinking with their friends and family. Business man also join the masses, but usually in the evening. Temporary paper lanterns are hung around the parks, to illuminate the gatherings into the night. Its a wonderful environment. Everyone is drunk and friendly and invite you to their picnic areas for some food and sake; you're bound to make some friends through the night! Unfortunately, the sakura's bloom only lasts like 1 or 2 weeks. Probably for the better, since partying for 2 months straight probably wouldn't be such a good idea. Its wonderful to see a society that is even farther ahead in technology than us, still be able to appreciate the simple beauties of nature.

I enjoyed this sort of thing as much as I could, hanami-ing maybe like 3-4 times in the two weeks. Some friends from school had a gathering at Yoyogi park. There were so many Sakura! It was ridiculous! I also went with Jason and some friends to Ueno park, during the day and the night. It wasn't long before some salary men came over and gave us a effing HUGE bottle of sake (half-empty but still about a liter left) and some snacks and joined us for a chat. Its funny how our Japanese is better when you're drunk for some reason. Another time after that was in Ichigaya, where some musicians and performers asked us to join them. I love being a foreigner here! They gave us food and drinks and played and sang music. It later came to be our turn, so we danced a number for them too. Good times...

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Comments

[Kevin Blythe]

<3 Cherry Blossoms
Seriously.