Watching cherry blossoms in Yoyogi

This is one of my favourite times of the year (hanabi, or fireworks, in summer is also top on my list) and I shot out of bed to prepare yummy goodies for the picnic we were going to with friends at Yoyogi Park.

Our friends nabbed a good spot where it wasn’t overly crowded but was still quite close to the main path and we had a sweeping view of the sakuras. The sun was warm and the general mood was uplifting. It’s sprrriiiing…..

It was lovely to see sakura petals floating down on us. Some got onto the food…

Yup, I made raw strawberry and coconut cupcakes which didn’t hold up too well in the warmth. They tasted fine but the frosting got really melty…Was fun whipping them up in the kitchen, though! Last year, I just brought along a bottle of red wine and didn’t think about snacks, so this year I wanted to make it a little more special. I toted along white wine sangria with orange and apple which I made the night before so all the fresh flavours mingled and got even juicier by the time we hit the party.

One amazing thing I never really took notice before was the abundance of business going on during hanami. There was an oyaji (old man) dancing and singing with his ukelele and had a donation tin handed out for his entertaining act.

Another thing being flogged: champagne. The guy who was pushing his booze cart was a friendly salesman who hawked his wares with charm.

Even Domino’s Pizza got into the action. They were giving out their menu flyers and apparently you can call for a delivery. It sounds incredible that they would wade through the massive crowds just to get your pizza to you. I mean, there is no real way to tell them where you are and I’d assume they would have to rely on your directions to get to your spot. Kudos to them…

With lots of drinking, there were also casualties. We saw an ambulance in the distance and I heard that these medics are on high alert during hanami. A friend mentioned that over 30 ambulances came and went the day before at Inokashira Park. I don’t think anything really rough goes on but people kind of panic if they see their friends in a drunken comatose state.

Like this guy…

Alas, the cold crept up on us and we headed home.

Hanami is great fun and one of the biggest events of the year in Japan — I’m sure I’ll never get sick of it.

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