It’s been a few years (I think!) since I last did anything when the sakura (cherry blossoms) appear in Tokyo. This is a huge cultural occasion in Japan and the first week in April (or thereabouts) is witness to Japanese people having hanami (flower viewing) party’s under the trees in various parks and gardens. Its the one time when you can get away with drinking and eating in public. As nice as the trees may look, I have never got too excited about seeing them, or certainly going out of my way to see them. I usually just tell people that I saw the cherry blossom a few years ago and don’t feel any obligation to see them every year.
Having said all that, I have made a bit of effort this year and last Sunday afternoon I went to a hanami party in Inokashira Park in Kichijoji which was attended by a handful of teachers and other hangers-on. Unlike the preceding day there was sadly no sunshine and it was indeed very cloudy and cold but good fun to sit under the trees getting sozzled and eating a load of snacks while talking b*llocks with some colleagues! Can’t say that I gave too much attention to the sakura itself other than taking a quick snap when I arrived and crossed the bridge to find my friends. The one below that shows typical lack of communication between Japanese people! They were sat at a neighbouring place under the trees playing on their Nintendo DS’. Very sad!
On top of that, I had a bit of time before work two days ago so cycled the scenic way to work (well to the train station which I use!) which is along a river and the cherry blossom did look very pretty on a rare sunny day so I took a few more photos.
