Ohanami

Literally meaning "honorable cherry-blossom viewing," Ohanami is a big to-do here in Japan. There are countless cherry trees planted EVERYWHERE, and the when the blossoms bloom, it looks like snow is suspended in the air.

Japanese people love this time of year probably because 1) it means the awful, terrible winter is ending, and 2) they have big picnic/bbq/make out sessions while sitting under the cherry trees.

Last Saturday, I went to the Himeji cherry blossom festival, located at the castle. While it served as a nice backdrop, it was butt ass cold and it was overcast.

The day after, I went to the ohanami at Tatsuno park/castle, which was awesome! It was a gorgeous day.

Obaa-chan (old ladies) doin' the boogaloo.

For the Tastsuno Ohanami, they have a big Samurai parade through the castle, park, and surrounding "old village." A lot of my students were in the parade! Aren't they cute?

"You have dishonored the Maeda clan with your silly photo pose."

And finally, on Friday night, I went out to dinner with my teachers and after they got nice and liquored up, we all decided to go to the castle and check out the full-moon and full-bloom.


It was sweet.