It's so pretty! Lets go admire it's beauty by drinking, BBQing and dancing under it :) The awesomeness that is Hana-Mi.
Like many things that I've come to learn after living here, the Japanese really do love and appreciate nature and the things about them. And the blossoming of the Cherry trees here is a perfect example. Thinking on it I really don't know what I could compare it too in the US. Honestly the only things I can think of that we eagerly anticipate, nature wise, is either the snow to fall (Children) or for it to finally melt away (Adults lol). Here the blossoming of these fleetingly beautiful flowers is an almost month long event of festivals through out the country as the progress slowly sweeps North. This year I was lucky enough to be able to go to the local old Kariya Castle site and Okazaki Castle to experience the fun and festivities that is Hanami.I gotta admit, when I first heard that there was something called Hana-Mi, where they celebrate the blooming of the Cherry Blossoms I never would have thought it'd be this fun or full out. And Finally some photos...
All though out the park there were people set up with little gas grills cooking all kinds of tasty smelling treats. Interesting note: a lot of times an office will have the newbie leave early to find a good spot, layout the tarp and then sit there and chill till the rest join later.
These paper lanterns were also pretty by their own right, and also serve to light the blossoms at night, which is also another part of the beauty. And theirs actually another word in Japanese for the blossoms illuminated by electric light. So whether lit naturally or by lamp the beauty of the blossom can be appreciated.
Food stands lined the main walkways of the park in Kariya... while no funnel cakes all the food that I did have more than made up for it.
Even though we got there around 10am people were already set up and drinking in Okazaki. And there were way more trees here. Was going to be a good day.
With Okazaki Castle park being much larger, the crowds and vendors were much more dense.
The line for this was about 30 people long, and while didn't know what it was for when we entered the line figured it had to be good lol. Fried chicken on a stick, and was def worth the wait. Flavor and seasoning was awesome.
Roof line and blossoms by the castle
Lanterns going across the moat
Empty seats a bit further from the mainstage.
One of the many fun preformances that we got to watch that evening as the sun slowly set in the background.
Bridge back across the river towards the Castle from the mainstage.
Food! And guess puffy jackets are the thing over here?
View heading back to the train station, while crossing the bridge.
One look back down the river before calling it a successful and overly entertaining day
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