花見 (hanami)

Hanami literally means flower viewing. Around March through May the Sakura (Cherry Blossom Trees) boom in Japan. They bloom in different times at different places in Japan and only last for a week or two before the petals fall off. It is customary to enjoy a picnic underneath one of these trees when they are in full bloom. I visited Ueno Park, which I have been told is the best place in Japan for hanami!

 

Even though people were told not to celebrate hanami in respect to the people who are going though hardships because of the Tohoku earthquake on March 11, many people feel that the residents that were affected wouldn't want others to not enjoy themselves on their behalf. Thus there were still many people enjoying themselves today at Ueno Park. However, normally it is so crowded that you have to shuffle to get around.

Here I am enjoying something I forgot the name of, I'll have to ask Victoria what it was again. Btw, you can thank her for these pictures since I was dumb and decided not to bring my own camera.