Can you believe that even though lived in Japan for nearly three years, during that time I don’t think I ever did hanami properly; that is sat under the sakura, eating and drinking.

This trip to Japan, some new friends kindly took me to Yasukuni-jinja and Chidorigafuchi in Tokyo for my first real hanami experience. It was a Tuesday and even though the sakura wasn’t yet in full bloom, the Japanese were out in force. There
was a great atmosphere with an unbelieable number of matsuri stalls selling such delights as yakitori and yakisoba. I have to say that the food wasn’t all that cheap, though!

People sat on the floor under the sakura and on seats and tables which had been laid out. As soon as we sat down a guy came over saying we had to buy food or drink from him to sit there! I devoured some yaki-soba and had a few drops of my friend’s atsukan (warm sake).

We walked back past the absolutely humongous torii/gate and came across a craftsman making all sorts of intricate objects like mermaids from what I think was hot candy or wax. Amazing!

A short walk away was Chidorigafuchi, an old moat with its banks covered in sakura. Lit up and night, it really was a beautiful sight, particularly with the moon reflecting in the water.