Cherry blossom trees, or sakura (see more info at Wikipedia) look amazing and this year I got to experience them for the first time ever in my life!
I’ve seen some pictures of the trees, I heard they’re beautiful, I heard they’re romantic, I heard they’re magical, but I didn’t hear about the crazy drunken madness at night! We went to experience Hanami (flower viewing, enjoying tasty bento similar to this) at Ohori koen (means… Ohori park). I thought I was in for a romantic sakura viewing… but in fact… it was more of a fun time packed full of people, mostly drunk office workers, with some romantic moments in the quiet areas (near the temple).
The road to the park was lined up with vendors selling things from chocholate covered bananas to takoyoki (a grilled octopus dish). There were some families with kids running around having a good time and couples eating bento together, and then… there were tons of drunk people with sake, sho chu, and grills. Apparently the people under the trees brought tarps in advance and 1-2 people reserved their spot. Each cluster seemed to stay within their group of people which is good when family + drunk people are mixed.
We took some pictures but most of them ended up blurry and I took a lot of video which I haven’t taken off the camera. Here are a few of the decent pictures from that night.
If I had to sum up this experience in one sentance I’d say… it was like a tailgating party for the sakura football game. Ahh… good times, good times.
Tags: cherry blossoms, japanese cherry blossom trees, sakura
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Nice pictures! Too bad I’ll be missing the Cherry Blossoms… Unless of course they can make it till Sunday….
cool! you know…i’ve never been to a Hanami in all my xxx years here! you’re one up on me!
Mike – Thanks! Hopefully you’ll get to see something.
JYankee – Really? Well there’s never any time like NOW! (or next year)
I was able to view cherry blossoms for the first time also during my trip to Tokyo 3/30-4/5. I didn’t know that they were in bloom when I arrived. It was great! I didn’t do any night viewing but went during the day. I viewed them at Yotsuya. It was amazing! I took so many photos. Just have to get them on my computer.
Pamela – It sounds like you got a pleasant surprise! I want to see them during the day at the park next year.