Hanami

Hanami

Hanami  - literally 'flower-viewing' is a Japanese Festival held throughout March and early April, depending on the forecast of the weather bureau.  In Fukuoka in 2010, the blossoms have bloomed throughout the end of March and the first two weekends I was in Japan were deemed the best for Hanami.

The best thing about Fukuoka Hanami is that while there are sakura (cherry blossoms) everywhere, there are a number of parks and cities where the collections are particularly spectacular!

Maizuru Park is located just a few blocks from where I attend Language school and I happened to stumble upon it one day while attempting to find a reasonably priced fruit shop!  

Maizuru Park, looking towards Fukuoka Government Buildings

Later, I discovered, the legendary Ohori Koen (the park that Fukuoka is famous for - with a huge lake 2km around) is also linked to Maizuru Koen (Koen:  Igirisu de: Park) and on Saturday 26th March, my travelling companion and I made our way there for what was to be a spectacular day!

We spent the afternoon walking the park, exclaiming over the sakura and working hard to get the perfect shashin (photo).  Smiling, we watched as families gathered underneath the blossoms to share a communal picnic.  We watched in amusement as employees appeared hours prior to the picnic to reserve a spot under the best tree and waited out the cold hours until the higher ranked employees arrived.  Later, we grinned in delight as large circles of friends and employees bowed simultaneously, chorusing 'Kampai!'

Later, walking home, we were able to take in the full glory of sakura, lit up by many lanterns and lamps, some set up just for Hanami.  The most impressive ones were those atop the walls of the ruins of Fukuoka Castle walls.  The contrast of the tiny pink or white clouds of blossom above the heavy blocks of stone was the perfect composition.

The following day we travelled to Yanagawa to see Yabusame - archery on horseback - more about that later....

the blossoms were the perfect backdrop for the competition and later, whilst river punting, we got to enjoy the blossoms from our gondolier.  It was one of the top ten highlights in all my 30 years.  I can't thank Yanagawa enough.

 

Spring is here.... and in Japan you can't forget it... there are too many reasons to celebrate.... who would want to miss out!