Thursday, April 03, 2003

Hanami Part II Basho Tori means to reserve an area, but since it's a public park someone has to be there to hold a spot. April 1st is the beginning of the fiscal year for alot of companies in Japan. This is when positions are changed or new employees are welcomed. For many companies these new employees are used for Basho Tori since it coincides with the Hanami season. Here are some Basho Tori photos taken around 11am today. The third photos with the zabutons was taken around 5pm .. I guess right before the festivities. (click to see larger photos) Below are a couple of twilight Sakura photos at Yotsuya. I headed over to Inokashira park in Kichijoji after work w/ Shirley-chan .. it was beautiful there also. There's a lake with Sakura trees around it .. a ton of Hanami parties. As soon as you get near the park you can feel the energy. HANAMI ENERGY. Yatais (food carts/booths) selling beer, odango, and yakitori. The smell of burning Shoyu and the crowds. I had fun. There's a Hanami party on Saturday, but it might rain so it seems like today might have been the best day!?! I can't wait until the pedals start falling .. I heard it's like it's snowing under the Sakura trees. TANOSHIMI! (click to see larger photos) 11:09:56 PM      Google It!   trackback []   comment []

HANAMI Monday, BA had it's Hanami party at the park I always pass on the way to work. I never knew those trees were Sakura trees! Look at the photos from my 3/28 post.  They're the same trees just 4 days before the photos below. (click to see larger photos) There were all kinds of parties at this park (it rained today, so no parties). BA's one had a Mahjong table setup. Some parties were really decked-out with lanterns and lighting to see the Sakura trees better. Another party had a huge Oden area in the middle of their area. Note: Someone's gotta go to the park early to save a spot. The Oden van (above photo) is not part of any party, but I guess knew alot of people would be at the park for Hanami .. kept going up and down the street with very iritating Enka songs. The Sakura will only last for a little over a week .. and since it's raining we might not have any more chances for HANAMI parties >(. Saturday .. hopefully Saturday's weather will be OK.  Just walking by the trees or seeing them from the Subway brings smiles .. cheeck to cheeck :) 3:31:05 AM      Google It!   trackback []   comment []