SSE Katsura Cherry Blossom Picnic 2023

Spring in Katsura is as wonderful as anywhere else in Japan. The grass is freshly green covered by bright dandelions and other seasonal flowers. Cherry trees are blooming at every spot. Therefore spring is the best time to invite SSE Katsura students for our annual ‘friendly talk’ picnic. Every year we meet under a cherry tree, eat some good food and have a relaxing chat in English.

The picnic with students was on the first Sunday of April. The weather was sunny and comfortable. After we gathered at a meeting point, we went to set up our sheets and food under our favourite cherry tree. Like at any school event I encouraged students to bring others along. I’m always happy to meet my students’ friends and family members. As you can see there are 20 people on our group photo. We are truly becoming a small English talking community in the Katsura area. It is clear that besides English lessons in the classroom many people are also interested in a good English talk in a natural environment.

And because we were having such a good time our day outdoors went very fast. In the afternoon hours people started to leave to attend their other appointments. However at the end of our picnic almost half of us were still talking under the cherry tree. Indeed, everyone felt comfortable to talk during the whole day. That’s always a good sign of a wonderful event.

Overall, I can confidently say that this year’s cherry blossom viewing picnic was a great success. We met in big numbers, ate a lot of delicious food and talked excitedly for hours. I couldn’t be happier how this day turned out. It’s a pleasure to organize an event like this. So let’s keep talking in the classroom and let’s keep having English conversations outside the class too!

Tom, SSE Katsura