hanami firsts

this explosion of blossoms means parties, and parties mean people and new people mean new 'stuff'. here are a few of the interesting characters and 'hanami firsts' (ie the first time i have seen this...)

... a packet of chips eaten with chop sticks

...odd socks on a japanese person

...cocktails in a sports drink pack (they were yummy)

cherry cherry night

yozakura (night time blossom viewing) is 'really happening' right now! for some it is the only chance they will get to have a hanami party, so it is quite popular to picnic under the sakura and stars. this may sound a little pointless...but many of the popular spots have lanterns, lighting up the sweet blossoms against the black night sky. 

tis the season to be jolly

how can one gorgeous little flower symbolise so much to a whole nation? it's sakura time which means the cherry blossoms are out in full force.  the trees in bloom scream 'spring'; an end to the chilly days. they also mark the start of a new school year and the beginning of the new financial year. but most importantly, cherry blossom time means hanami. hanami is a sakura viewing party, which means you gather as many friends and family as you can, prepare or buy as much food and sake as you can, spread everything out on mats under the trees then eat, drink and get as merry as you possibly can. its all very fun really. most party goers begin the day/night oooohhing and aaaahhing in awe of the sakura's beauty, as the festivites liven up the pretty petals drift to the background and the odd glance is enough to  spur on the spring fever.

lots o luck

most young tokyoites will tell you they are not religious and very few can offer much info about the frequently visited shrines and yearly rituals or celebrations. however with a coin in their pocket ready to throw into a shrines wishing well like box, most will not hesitate to pray to the 'gods' for luck, fortune and happiness.



omikuji (seen hanging above); a fortune telling slip can be found at most shrines in and out of tokyo. the desire to read ones fortune has become so popular that omikuji vending machines have started to pop up. simply slip your 100 yen into the slot and out slides your fate. many omikuji are now translated into a roughly comprehendible form of english. once you have read and understood your fortune, good or bad its ready to be tied on the closet 'omikuji rack' or tree. while im not really sure of the exact reason for hanging out your fortune, i think it has something to do with setting it free, letting it be, airing it out??? as i said...not too many young tokyoites (certainly none of my friends) can offer much info...