the dark shadow which has been looming over japan for the past month is still here but now has a slight tinge of pink to it.
if sakura (cherry blossoms) don’t light up your day then I think you’re outa luck.
last weekend the sakura where in full bloom here in tokyo so we got together with a group of friends and gave kou-chan his first taste of hanami; literally cherry blossom viewing. or more appropriately, “a drunken picnic under the cherry blossom trees”.
and no, kou-chan didn’t get his first taste of alcohol! he's got at least another 10 year wait if i have anything to do with it.
our day was spent chilling out in the spring sun under the watchful eye of some crows in one of the many sakura trees in yoyogi park; a huge park in central tokyo.
we all pitched in and took along homemade goodies and of course alcohol. ended up with a pretty impressive spread if you ask me.
we even got to use our colorful mexican zarape rug for the first time too. it really did set off the scene for this gathering *wink wink*
photo: asa.co.glass
many people in japan feel slightly guilty about having some fun or taking a trip at a time when so many people have been displaced and/or experienced the horrors which mother nature threw our way, but it was great to see so many people, both young and old(ish) out and about enjoying mother nature’s more beautiful side.
photo: asa.co.glass
photo: asa.co.glass
as expected, kou-chan was more interested in the hundreds of dogs leaping around in the dog-run, bits of broken twigs and whatnot on the ground, and the other kids who could actually run around chasing balls and bubbles.
photo: asa.co.glass
don't worry kou-chan, i'm sure you will be running in no time!
18 comments:
what a sweet little boy he has grown into and he's got tons of more growing to do!
yes, hope the gloomy days will end soon, stay positive it will!!!
nice post! for some reason i never get tired of pictures of cherry blossoms. and what a glorious tradition in japan to get drunk under the cherry blossom trees! looks like you had a super day. and the food looks yummy :)
looks and sounds like you had a lovely day! sakura has surely been putting smiles on my face, i'm so glad for it.
stay safe :)
(kou-chan kawaiiiiiii!)
Beautiful. I love hanami... the pastime of watching the cherry blossoms have certainly been elevated to a social activity in Japan.
And Kou-chan's smiles bring a smile to my own face. :)
* Pascale
hey, long time no see. are you still in HK?
thanks for the comments, as you know it's amazing how fast they grow up!
* luuworld
glorious tradition, mmm I like that.
it is a pretty awesome tradition isn't it. the thing which I found super "glorious" was how peaceful the whole event was. I'm sure you would love it, good food, nice liquids, and great company.
wouldn't mind staying on for the late night version too *wink wink*
* hiki
I love it how there are sakura dotted all throughout japan. nice that within a few minutes walk from home you can see some beautiful sakura.
* life for beginners
it sure has, such a great start to spring and a nice way to take things off ones mind.
do you have cherry trees in Malaysia?
there is a late night version of hanami? sign me up! lol
Ah hananmi! Sadly I've never experienced one which makes me unqualified for a Japanese... but it always look so fun.. and boozy lol
Your little boy is so cute
Oh, kou-chan looks adorable! and he has teeth already. *gasp* how fast time flies with the little guy. :)
At least you get to enjoy the lighter and beautiful side of Mama Nature, just to remind everyone that she still cares. :)
* luuworld
Japanese love to drink, so of course there is a night version. nothing beats getting tipsy in a dark park with friends under the sakura trees!
* chibi
what?? You have never done hanami before? I think you might be the only Japanese who has not done this before, no?
anyway, you should give it a go next year, lots of fun and a nice way to get close to nature
* gingerbee
hey, long time no see (again)
how are you?
I know, kou-chan is growing up so fast! his 7th tooth just poked through the other day. can't believe he's gonna be 1 next month!
No, we don't have cherry trees in Malaysia unfortunately. It's the tropical climate, I guess.
I first encountered cherry trees when I was studying in Germany but nothing quite prepared me for the massive wonder that was hanami when I was in Tokyo last spring.
Let's just say Devil and I spent a lot of time wandering through parks in Japan! :)
i love that bog tooth grin of kou-chan what a cute boy. sounds like a you all had a really great time and everything looks so pretty. I am jealous as i would love to have a drunken picnic under the cherry blossoms....the night version sounds like even more fun....next time be sure to get a baby sitter!!!!
oooh such great photos to share during the hanami season! ... im sure the pain is still in every japanese, form the disasters, but i think it is fate that the sakura is coming out to put smiles on faces once again, if only for a hopeful temporary time :-)
take care as always <3
Hey mate, was going through some of my old Japanese posts today and thought of you and your family. Hope you are all doing well. :)
*HUGS*
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