I took the long way home from my travels this morning and took a stroll through Yoyogi Park. Yoyogi Park (代々木公園 Yoyogi kōen) is one of the largest parks in Tokyo, located adjacent to Harajuku Station and Meiji Shrine in Shibuya.
Even though it was barely lunch time the park was already filling quickly with punters enjoying their first weekend of Hanami Parties. Hanami (花見 lit. “flower viewing”) is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of flowers, “flower” in this case almost always meaning cherry blossoms (桜 or 櫻 sakura?), or ume blossoms (梅 ume).
If you can look past the sea of blue tarpaulins it’s quiet a site to be seen. The Hanami parties are a great excuse to pull up some grass in the park and progressively get loaded on your favourite drop. After being restricted to indoor activety for much of winter, it’s a welcome change to get outside and enjoy Spring time in Japan.
It’s first in best dressed when it comes to getting a spot during the Hanami season. People gather in the park from the early hours on the weekend and no doubt during the week for those not working.
Often there’ll be a few designated individuals that will go early and mark the spot with their tarps and the others in their party will join later in the day.
Throwing the frisbee is a popular activity for the younger ones in and around the parks of Japan.
While sitting back and admiring the view is more suited to many.
Although this guy felt a little tap dancing was the order of the day. Whatever it is that floats your boat, it certianly is a great time to be in Japan.
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well..like i’ve commented on others about these hanami’s…i’ve never had the opportunity to be dragged to one! LOL….is that good or bad? but lovely pics and i do like looking at the cherry blossoms..it’s a shame when it rains and they all disappear….
It’s a great day, try and get to one next weekend if you can. I have a dinner next Saturday night which will be great.
Love those flower pictures!
Awesome photos! It’s still -4C in Canada with snow on the ground
Talk about a great huge park! Too bad I don’t live in Japan
-Mike
p.s. It is wayyyy too cold anyways
Just another excuse to get s___ faced!!!
“How’s it goin?
Ever tried a beer bong??
Just get on your knees and open your throat…try to breathe threw your nose….here we go!!”
It’s a great ice breaker!!!;)
Plastic funnel – 120yen
70cm 1″ clear plastic tubing – 300yen
1 Beer – 100yen
Telling a cute Japanese girl to get on her knees, open her mouth, and suck hard and fast…..priceless
There’s nothing like hanami in Kyoto. One of my older girls and I took a trip to a bunch of the temples and shrines in Kyoto like Kyomizudera and Kinkakuji. A few year ago when I was still studying abroad, my Friends and I saw the sakura in Ueno Park.
How long are the cherry blossoms in bloom for? I’m heading over to Japan next week from Australia! :>
If you get here by this weekend, the 5th, you’ll just make it … otherwise they’ll be gone by next week.
Wow…Great season! I thought you have posted about cherry blossoms season before…Is this season still go on till now?
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