The Cherry Blossom Viewing

In real life, the Sakura trees have finished blossoming several weeks ago. However, with the magic of the Internet, I can still tell all about my experience with the Japanese custom of Sakura viewing with many pictures and such.

To set the scene, the Sakura tree is also known as a Cherry Blossom tree (no cherries, though). When it flowers, it produces delightful pink petals for about two weeks.

Sakura outside my bedroom

The act of hanami, which is literally "flower viewing", is an activity that has been around since at least the 8th Century AD, according to Wikipedia. In the olden days, it was used to determine when to start planting crops as well as to provide an occasion to have a celebration. Nowadays, everyone uses the occasion to go to an area with several Sakura trees close together and just eat, drink, and have a good time.

Behind the building I stay at, there is a walking path that is lined with Sakura trees on each side for about four blocks. When the trees were at full bloom on the weekend, there were dozens and dozens of families having picnics, taking pictures of the blossoms, or buying items from the vendors at this prime hanami location.

Early morning Hanami

Being a fresh-faced foreign exchange student curious about the customs and celebrations going on around the city, I soon found myself included in the planning for a hanami party. A couple of friends from the same apartment building and some Japanese students from the university to provide direction would ensure good times for all.

However, it would not do to party at the local haunt filled with the neighborhood families. Instead, this party of students agreed to meet up at one of the busiest hanami locations in Tokyo, the area outside the Imperial Palace.

Long story short, two international students along with myself could not find the larger group of revellers we were supposed to meet up with. Instead, we opted to follow the crowd on a long walk in the middle of Tokyo to admire the cherry blossoms.

What a crowd it was

Enough of the idle chatter. Let's have some pictures:

Sakura spilling out over a major road

I only count three trees here

Close-up

A picture of myself? How did this get in here?

My traveling companion enjoys the view

Popular spring pastime

The public is allowed to rent canoes...

...for obvious reasons

Families eating under the Sakura

Dressed for the occasion

However, the entire country gets excited for nature-related festivities because the beauty is fleeting. This is the Sakura tree outside my window as it currently appears:

No more blossom-related festivities for another year, but that's what makes it so special.