Here in Japan, the beginning of spring is marked by the blossoming of cherry blossoms (sakura). Japan offers a large variety of cherry blossoms, both early blooming ones and late blooming ones that are a lovely sight to the eyes. I love the way Japanese people sit under cherry trees in full bloom to eat, drink, talk or whatever while enjoying the lovely sight of the cherry blossoms. This practice of cherry blossom viewing event (hanami) is more than just your common picnic, it’s something practiced nationally by many Japanese with co-workers, friends and family to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms and the coming of spring. It’s a great idea I think and something all foreigners should try if they come to Japan.
While you can enjoy cherry blossoms in many places, some places are especially famous for having lots of cherry trees. Here is the Kansai area of Japan, Osaka Castle Park in Osaka is such a place. We have held a big joint Smith’s School of English cherry blossom viewing (hanami) event there for the last 4 years in a row and it was great. This year the variety of cherry blossoms usually in full bloom there at the beginning of April were only particially bloomed. However we still had a great time with Smith’s School of English students, friends and family. (^.^) You can read about this year’s joint cherry blossom viewing event by clicking here.
I have also been enjoying the cherry blossoms alone with my family this year. On April 10 my wife Akemi, daughter Tina and I went to Shukugawa, Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, another famous place for cherry blossoms in the Kansai area to see the cherry blossoms there. They were lovely and the place was busy with cherry blossom viewers. We also enjoyed a different variety of cherry blossom while walking in a park on Port Island in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture on April 17. Lovely!
Enjoy cherry blossom viewing (hanami) in Japan! (^.^)
Derek
Smith’s School of English Tsukaguchi
スミス英会話 塚口校
Check out the web site of my English school in Japan at http://www.smithweb.co.jp/school/tsukaguchi.shtml ! (^.^)
To enjoy this post in Japanese, please click here.
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