Hanami
Marayuma Koen, originally uploaded by snapperwolf*.
One of the primary planning points of our trip to Japan was to coincide with cherry blossom season. This is a period of about 2 weeks where the cherry blossoms bloom everywhere throughout Japan. National cherry blossom forecasts are broadcast on TV, the restaurants all offer some variation of cherry blossom inspired food and no blooming tree is safe from someone taking photos of petals with their mobiles.
The Japanese celebrate the seasonal bloom by going to Hanami parties - cherry blossom viewing parties held at local parks with much food and drink. Couples, office workers and students all pack the local parks sitting on blue tarpaulin mats sharing alcohol and food.We especially enjoyed observing the celebrations whilst having our own little hanami picnic. At one park in Kyoto, we watched a large group of students descend upon the mats and sit in gender separated groups. The boys were quick to start the drinking games which all involved some variation of sculling to song whilst the girls gossiped. It didn’t take long before the crowd started to mix, followed by wooing to song.  The cherry blossom season is so achingly beautiful yet its short blooming period is a poetical reminder of life’s beauty and brevity.
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