It's coming up to cherry blossom time again over here in Japan. It's one of the best times to live here or just to visit. For once, the weather is pleasant. It's beginning to warm up after the cold windy days of winter and suddenly you can head out without a jacket or scarf. And it's several months till the days of unbearable sticky humidity, where you can't even bear to walk ten minutes down the street. It is a beautiful time - the mountains, hills, and parks are full of beautiful trees overflowing with gorgeous pink flowers. And then there are the parties and picnics that come with the blossoms. Everybody - be it man, women or child gets out into nature and sits under the beautiful blossoms. Students and young people sit and drink. Families gather with their BBQ or picnic, and sit and eat. Companies gather and play games. Large tarpaulins litter the ground under the trees, and all weekend voices can be heard shouting and laughing from under the trees. It is 'hanami' time - cherry blossom viewing time, and it's what cherry blossoms in Japan are all about.
Organising hanami parties can be a bit difficult as cherry blossom time changes every year. It depends on where you live in Japan, and how warm the weather has been, but it's usually sometime in April. Usually it's announced on the Japanese television, and people can check the Internet or even get mobile phone updates on when the blossoms are going to arrive in their area. Because the South of Japan is much warmer than the North, hanami time hits Southern Japan first and then slowly makes it's way up to the North. Though of course it's really all to do with the weather. Once they have arrived the cherry blossoms only really hang around for a week or two before they begin to fall off and then suddenly they're all gone again until next year. So if you're in Japan at the right time - you need to really get out there and enjoy the spirit of hanami.
No one really knows how to party like the Japanese. It's one of the things that they really do well. And hanami is no exception. If you're living and working in Japan undoubtedly you'll be invited to some sort of hanami party, maybe by students, co-workers, or friends. Always turn up with some food and drink, there may be a grill or a BBQ or it may be a picnic - it's best to find out what's expected first so that you know what to bring. If you're just visiting Japan and you happen to be there at the right time, find out where the local park is and just head there. Buy some snacks or sushi and go over to see what it's all about. There's always so much going on during hanami that you never run out of things to watch, and then there's always the beautiful pink blossoms that you can look at or take photos of.
Spring is my favourite season in Japan, and that's mainly because of hanami time - the blossoms are beautiful, and the atmosphere is great. I never miss a chance to go and have a picnic with my students under the trees, or to go and have a drinking party with my friends, or to just go wandering around with my camera. Although hanami only lasts a week it will be one of the best weeks that you have in Japan.