The cherry blossom appeals for many reasons, the cherry trees bloom before there are any leaves so you get a tree full of flowers, they happen to be very pretty and "ohanami" or "flower viewing" is a very popular activity but its not just about looking at the flowers, it's about sitting under the trees with your friends, eating and drinking together. The other appeal of the cherry blossom is its fleeting existence, from when the bloom starts, you get a full bloom about a week later, and then after another week it's done.
I went down to Yoyogi Park to take a look at what makes the key ingredients of a good hanami.
First, of course, you have to find a good location for ohanami. Any cherry tree will do, it could be in a park where there is plenty of space to spread out and enjoy throwing frisbee...
However, many spots become extremely popular, and so you might find you have to share your hanami with many people...
Of course, if you aren't too picky about the location of the cherry tree, you might be able to find a tree for just you and a friend.
So be sure to have a good look around and find the perfect spot from which to enjoy the cherry trees.
And make sure you bring a tarpaulin or ground sheet to mark your territory...
As hanami is very popular, and some cherry blossom areas are very popular, it is common to see groundsheets left out to reserve a spot before anyone has actually arrived. Of course, in the most popular places, you might want to make sure that your area is protected and there are a couple of strategies for this... Send one of the party to the park early to hold the space.
But make sure that they have a mobile phone so that everyone can find the location in what is a very big and crowded park. Although in my experience, with that many people using their phones, it can be very hard to get through to anyone.
Or you can use some kind of warning sign which is good for keeping other people out but also acting as a sign post so your friends can easily find you in a sea of people.
I liked this guy who didn't seem to think that there was enough cherry blossom... but it does make it easy for his friends to find him.
I think it is well known that you should take your shoes of when entering a Japanese home. And the same applies when entering a hanami area... no shoes are worn on the ground sheet and all around the park, the shoes are lined up by the sheet.
One of the main activies under the cherry blossom is eating and drinking and you often see people arriving with their supplies.
Another popular activity is taking photos either of your party (but this group weren't doing a good job of not looking bored whilst the photographer messed around getting set up.
Taking photos of the trees and the blossom is very important part of hanami. I liked the baby helping his Mum to get the blossoms positioned just right for the photo.
Or collect the petals to take home. This reminded me of the kids I saw collecting the ginko leaves last November... it always seems to require intense concentration.
And finally, there is always the chance to meet other people or animals who are also out enjoying the cherry blossom. I got to meet Roy, a great burnese, who was out with his owners and Roy (and his owners) kindly let me take his photo (one of those moments I think where you eye up each other's cameras and as we were both holding Nikons, there's an immediate bond).And here is Roy, clearly looking for his perfect hanami spot and enjoying the attention.
Hanami season is fleeting like the blossom we all go to look at. I try to explain to people that its not really about the blossom but a state of mind, transitioning from Winter to Spring, getting outdoors and meeting up with friends and enjoying one of nature's beautiful sights and like life, enjoying the moments you can as the cherry blossom teaches us, it can go so quickly. It took me a few years living in Japan to get it, but now, I too love hanami season.
