Friday Macha - Hanami in Early Spring

I love early spring. Not only it has a cooling and pleasant weather, it's also the peak of Hanami.

Hanami '花見' means flower viewing. Hana 花- flower; Mi 見- see. Many people commonly know Hanami as cherry blossom viewing. Cherry blossom is also known as sakura 桜. Just admire the picturesque scenery created by the cherry blossoms, whether from far or near. From far, the clusters of sakura trees look like clumps of pink or white clouds whereas from near, you can feel the personal touch of God's creation by having a close-up view on single blossoms.

My first Hanami was during my orientation programme in the Osaka Youth Hotel. My liaison person (an AFS volunteer who is in charge of my welfare and communication with AFS) brought me to my high school to meet up with my host family. Walking around 10 meters away from the hostel, I saw the sakura trees for the first time. It's not considered as cherry blossom viewing because honestly, I walked past the trees in the speed of light, only managing to capture a few pictures.

The second time I went for a real Hanami was thanks to the AFS tour around Osaka city. We had a mini dango picnic under the blooming cherry blossom trees, with the Osaka-jo (Osaka Castle) standing majestically behind them. Cherry blossoms are especially beautiful in combination with castles, temples and shrines.

My host family also brought me to a park nearby for Hanami. I was actually surprised to find the park crowded with families who were having picnic while admiring the beauty of cherry blossoms from a near distance. Some of them even  lied down and gazed dreamily at the flowers, lost in their own thoughts. I think the Japanese really appreciate the blessings of nature that it has become a tradition, part of their culture, to spend time with loved ones by enjoying nature together. And you'd be even surprised that the park was as clean as ever even after everyone had gone home. They actually cleaned up the junks, unlike those irresponsible people who can't even throw rubbish into nearby dustbins.

Popular spots for Hanami and admission fees:
Tokyo:

1. Shinjuku Gyoen (10 minute walk from Shinjuuku Station, 200￥)
2. Ueno Park (A few minutes walk from Ueno Station)
3. Sumida Park (A few minutes walk from Asakusa Station)
4. Meguro River (Near Nakameguro Station)

Osaka:

1. Osaka Castle Park
2. Kema Sakuranomiya Park (Near Sakuranomiya Station)

Kyoto:

1. Philosopher's Path (Between Gingakuji Golden Pavilion and Nanzenji Temple)
2. Maruyama Park (Next to Yasaka Shrine)
3. Arashiyama (Northwest of Central Kyoto)

Kanazawa:

1. Kenrokuen (15-minute bus ride from Kanazawa Station, 300￥)

Nagoya:

1. Yamazakigawa Riverside (10-minute walk from Mizuho Undojo Higashi Station)
2. Nagoya Castle (Short walk from Shiyakusho-mae Station, 500￥)
3. Tsurama Koen (Tsrama Station)

Fuji Five Lakes

1. Northern Shores of Kawaguchiko (10 to 25-minute bus ride from Kawaguchiko Station)
2. Chureito Pagoda (15 to 20-minute walk from Shimo-Yoshida Station)

Himeji:

1. Himeji Castle (15 to 20-minute walk from Himeji Station, 600￥)

Hiroshima:

1. Miyajima (45-minute ferry ride from Hiroshima Jetty near Hiroshima Station)

Fukuoka:

1. Fukuoka Castle (5 to 10-minute walk from Ohori Koen Station)
2. Uminonakamichi Seaside Park (Near JR Uminonakamichi Station, 400￥)

Hokkaido:

1. Matsumae Park (Matsumae Town)
2. Maruyama Park and Hokkaido Shrine (5-minute walk from Tosai Subway Maruyama Koen Station)

If you don't really have time to visit these places, don't worry too much. There are tons of sakura tress around Japan, even at the small streets in small towns. Or, just simply ask the locals for the nearest park which has sakura trees: "Hanami ni ikitai desu ga, sakura no hana ga atte moyori no kouen wa doko desu ka."

And yes!!! Spring is arriving!!!