It is hanami time in Japan as you may have noticed if you visit the blogs of people living in Japan. Hanami means 'flower viewing', but it really means 'we are all so excited that winter's over that I am going to get drunk with a bunch of buddies under some pretty trees'. We had our hanami party last Saturday. We were very organized and put out our tarps the night before at midnight - some people slept in the park overnight, but since we live super close, we slept at home. We recovered on Sunday and the past three days have been hella cold. Most of the blossoms have fallen off the trees (it looks like it has snowed - cool!), but the weather is nice today (19 degrees and sunny) so I saw people putting out a couple of tarps out in the park ready to keep the party going.
I was too excited about the warm weather, spending time with so many friends, and of course the cherry blossoms that I didn't end up taking a lot of photos (well not many good ones anyway). Here is a glimpse of our Kichijoji, Inokashira Park, Tokyo, cherry blossom, hanami life.
Inokashira Park
Part of our hanami posse
It must have been a special occasion coz darin brought out his Mexico beerholder!
Jennifer made some delicious cupcakes and cookies. Yum!
It was THAT packed!
Squeezing in a photo!
The photo most people don't take.
Ending with pretty pink blossoms.
You can see the rest of our photos here!
Thanks to everyone that came - I had a 12-hour blast in the park! (ending the night with karaoke until 2am and then late night/early morning ramen - mmmmm!)
See you all next year!
OMG, I want a ride on that swan in the first photo. Now, Now, Now!
I'm also desperate to have good karaoke here - there's nothing.
Love Mok
Posted by: Mock | April 14, 2005 at 12:05 PM
Looks like it was a perfect day! The 'crowd' photo scared me, looks like Shinjuku station during rush hour. Everything is always better with beer, friends and cherry blossoms : )
see ya at SnB!
Posted by: rae | April 14, 2005 at 01:20 PM
Odd question: what's with the guy in the white mask?
I saw someone wearing one downtown yesterday and I wondered if there's a new SARS going around or something...
Posted by: Nadia | April 14, 2005 at 03:54 PM
Wow, I`m not jealous of those crowds. Glad it was fun and you got a good spot. :)
Posted by: Merinda | April 14, 2005 at 04:00 PM
Nadia, I am so glad that you noticed that man's sexy white mask. Wearing them is common in Japan and not a thing to be embarrassed about - that is unless you are me. There are a number of reasons why one would don a mask:
1. You wanna look like Michael Jackson
2. You have a cold
3. You just like the look of it, and you might try an eye patch as well next time
4. You are very afraid of pollen in the air and have a nasty bout of hay fever
I believe that that man would be wearing a mask because of reason 4. Reason 1 and 3 were my attempts at funny jokes. There is no SARS in Tokyo! Thank goodness because with so many people it could be disastrous.
Posted by: kat | April 14, 2005 at 04:23 PM
That was fun, and you two managed to grab a great spot. Thanks for the invitation! Sorry we couldn't stay longer. (I had to make more cupcakes, etc. for a Sunday hanami and ended up baking until the wee hours of the next morning.) I wasn't as scared by the crowds as I was by the garbage we all managed to produce. The earth is doomed, I tells ya!
Posted by: Jennifer | April 14, 2005 at 06:46 PM
Wow - crazy crowds! I love the flowering trees though. They're such a subtly glorious way to welcome spring. I've been loving the cherry trees in my neck o'the woods. Thanks for sharing the pics!
Posted by: Ann | April 15, 2005 at 08:53 AM
thanks for the invite again! :D we had a such a great time -- and dude...thanks for living so damn close to the park to avoid standing in line for the bathrooms. totally greatful for that one! :D see you next week.
Posted by: chris | April 15, 2005 at 10:17 AM
sounds like a helluva hanami party. thanx for the photos, kat - so pretty :)
Posted by: nicole | April 15, 2005 at 10:48 AM
First of all, I so totally love your blog and have been enjoying it for months. I spent some time in Japan myself on an exchange trip and dream of someday going back. Such a beautiful day, what nice pictures!
Posted by: Beth | April 15, 2005 at 11:39 AM
Great pics! It reminded me of my Spring, that is, if I had friends and went outside.
Posted by: kurt | April 19, 2005 at 10:55 AM
Wow, I thought the viewing was a more solemn affair. Not the beer swigging, concert-going crowd I'm seeing in your pics. Love them! I also love the Mexican beer holder thingy. Very cool.
Posted by: wendy | April 19, 2005 at 12:05 PM