INDULGE YOURSELF IN PINK, IN JAPAN

Cherry blossoms holds a special place in the Japanese mind. Discover how you can share in this special cultural phenomenon. 桜は日本人にとってある特殊な感傷をもたらす。毎年わずか１週間ほどのこのスペシャルな季節を愉しむ方法をご紹介します。

Why is this humble flower so popular with the Japanese?

Late March and early April are some of the best weeks to visit Japan, as you are very likely to arrive at the height of the Sakura (cherry blossom) season. Somei Yoshino (Prunus yedoensis) is the best-loved variety. Originally cultivated in the late Edo era, they are now to be seen all over Japan. It’s interesting to note that all of these thousands of Somei Yoshino trees originate from just one tree – it doesn’t form seeds, so can only be propagated through cuttings. Because they are essentially all the same tree, they come into full blossom within the space of just few days, covering whole regions in dreamy blush pink. The casual observer would be forgiven for thinking that the Japanese are obsessed with Sakura.

As soon as the calendar hits March, the weather forecasters start predicting when the blossom will arrive in each part of the country, streaming webcams are set up, and everyone on the street and in the offices begin to plan their Hanami (flower viewing party). Famous Sakura viewing spots like Ueno Park (as shown on this page) will be packed with literally hundreds of thousands of people at the peak of the display. So, why is this humble flower, a poor relation from the rose family, so popular with the Japanese? It is indeed breathtakingly beautiful. It is one of the earliest flowers to arrive, announcing the start of Spring. However, the root of this love probably lies in the way it blooms. Sakura, especially the typical Somei Yoshino, flowers for just few days or so. It is a flower with a very intense beauty, but one that is fleeting and ephemeral. As the flower dies, it produces a rain of flower petals, known as Hana Fubuki (flower snowfall), as it resembles falling snowflakes.

This fits with the Japanese aesthetic of beauty; there is a philosophical parallel understood by the Japanese that relates to the meditation behind the Samurai’s ritual Harakiri. The philosophy says that life is fragile and inconstant, everything is transient. Don’t cling to it. Remain detached. Learn from the way the Sakura blossoms. In this feature article, we are going to introduce you to some recommended Sakura spots in Tokyo. Check the weather forecast for blossoming predictions, or ask any Japanese friend when is the best day to go for Hanami. Remember to bring a packed lunch and a picnic blanket. Beware, some spots are enormously popular, and you may end up watching the back of people’s heads! If that is the case, find a quiet park or a river bank near you. There should be one or two Sakura trees, and beneath them you can enjoy your own tranquil Hanami moment. Submerge yourself in the pink haze. Try to meditate. It’s an almost spiritual sensation.

桜はなぜ日本人にここまで愛されているのか

桜のシーズンに当たる可能性が高い3月下旬から4月上旬は、日本を訪れるのに最適な季節のひとつである。日本の桜はその多くが江戸末期に品種改良で作り出されたソメイヨシノという園芸品種であることは知られている。ソメイヨシノは接木でしか増やすことができないため、日本中のソメイヨシノは元をたどれば1本の木につながっている。そのためほぼすべての桜が数日と離れずに満開を迎える。 3月の声を聞けば多くの天気予報番組が桜の開花予想を紹介し、桜前線の北上がニュースになる。人々はいつお花見をするか、その開花予報とにらめっこで日程を相談し始める。満開ともなれば、上野公園（このページの写真）などの桜の名所は、何万、何十万人という花見客でごったがえす。

桜はなぜこんなにも日本人の心を捉えているのだろうか。いかにも桜は美しい。春の訪れを最初に伝える花のひとつでもある。けれど、日本人が桜に惹かれる本当の理由はもっと別のところにある。数日あまりの短い期間に命を振り絞るように咲き、惜しげも無く花吹雪なって一気に散るそのありかたに、人生や世のはかなさを見ているのだ。諸行無常。執着を捨てよ。この特集では、東京の桜の名所やその楽しみ方をご紹介する。開花予報や日本人の友人の意見を参考に、お花見に行く日を決めよう。お弁当と敷物も持って行くといい。人気のスポットが混雑しすぎているなら、ちょっとした公園や川沿いの遊歩道などの桜を探してみては。薄ピンクの世界で軽く目を閉じてみれば、日本の心が見えてくるかもしれない。

Ueno Park

One of the first western style parks open to public in Japan established during the 19c. It is probably the most popular spot for Hanami (flower viewing party), with more than 2 million visitors in a week. Ikenohata 3-chome, Ueno Koen, Taito Ward http://www.kensetsu.metro.tokyo.jp/ toubuk/ueno/index_top.html(Japanese only) approx. 1 minute walk from Ueno Station on JR Yamanote Line.

日本で最初に一般市民のために開放された公園のひとつ。とくに1000本あるという桜は有名で、１シーズンにのべ200万人が訪れるという

台東区上野公園池之端3

Blue groundsheets and young salary men

As the peak of the cherry blossom approaches, you’ll see blue plastic groundsheets appear everywhere beneath the most magnificent cherry trees. Quite often you’ll see young men in business suits reading manga magazines, having a doze. They are not unemployed. They are not drunk (yet). They are the junior staff of some office or organization, charged with securing a prime spot for the office Hanami party that evening. The Japanese are known for their unique drinking culture, where everyone is allowed to get a little crazy or talk quite frankly after few glasses of alcohol. This license is stretched to the limit at these Hanami party.

Usually quiet and unassuming salary men get wasted, sing at the top of their voices, dance, and often end the evening collapsing in a stupor beneath the pink, cloud-like trees. Cherry blossoms seem to have a magical power to influence human mood. To find out whether this is true, why not try drinking under the full blossom. You may experience a once-in-a-lifetime euphoria!

ブルーシートと若いサラリーマンの秘密

満開が近づくと、あちこちの花見スポットに昼からシートを広げゴロゴロしている人がいる。その晩開かれる職場の花見の場所取りをしているのだ。日本人が酒の席でハメを外すことは知られているが、花見となるとハメの外し方も最高潮になる。歌い、踊り、花の下でノビている人も珍しくない。桜には人を酔わせる魔力があると日本人は言うが、本当かどうか、試してみる？

The most stylish way to enjoy the cherry blossoms

One of the most luxurious ways to enjoy the cherry blossom is to take a Hanami cruise, with a snack and drinks served onboard.

There are many Yakatabune (literally meaning ‘house boat’) Hanami cruises, but unless a member of your party is a Japanese speaker, most of these could be tricky to access. So, for those who want to enjoy the occasion without the hassle, we’d recommend a cruise with English assistance that runs during the Hanami season. The cruise boats depart from Azumabashi Bridge pier in the evening. As well as enjoying views of the illuminated cherry blossoms lining the banks of the Sumida River, you can enjoy the performance of an apprentice Geisha. A bento box and one drink is included in the price. This pleasure cruise is a round trip, so you will eventually return to Azumabashi Bridge pier. The whole tour is accompanied by an English speaking guide.

もっとも贅沢な花見スタイル、夜桜クルーズ

水に船を浮かべて岸辺の桜を楽しむのは、古来からもっとも贅沢な花見のスタイルのひとつ。多くの屋形船があるが、これは日本語ができる人が仲間にいないとちょっと難しい。そこでおすすめなのが、英語ガイド付きの花見クルーズ。浅草の桟橋発着のクルーズ船には見習いの芸者さん（振袖さん）も同乗。お弁当とドリンクも付いて手軽な花見クルーズを楽しめる。

Tokyo Cherry Blossoms Night Cruise Tour (JTB Sunrise Tours)

adult 6,500yen, child 6,000yen Tour starts 5:30 pm at Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal, finishes at Asakusa Station for 7:40 pm. Starts from 30th March until 10th April TEL: 03-5796-5454 http://www.jtb-sunrisetours.jp/

Hanami by night is another way of enjoying Sakura

Even before the arrival of modern electrical illuminations, Yozakura (or night viewing of the sakura) was regarded as a tasteful way to enjoy the cherry blossoms. The pale pink petals reflect back even the faintest of lights and people would enjoy the sakura illuminated by candle light or even just by the moonlight. Nowadays many Hanami spots have introduced illumination systems and Yozakura viewing is becoming more and more popular. WAttention Tokyo’s recommended Yozakura spots are: Chidorigafuchi; Meguro River; Sumida Park; Inokashira Park; and Rikugien.

Chidorigafuchi by night is especially recommended as a must see. Its somewhat spooky beauty is quite overwhelming. It may worth pointing out that this corner of the moat is designated to honor to the fallen during WWII. Even though it gets quite warm during the day at this time of the year, the temperature tends to drop a lot in the evening, so don’t forget to bring warm clothes with you when you go to view Yozakura.

夜桜見物──もうひとつの桜の楽しみ方

行灯のほのかな光に照らされてぼんやりと浮かび上がる夜桜──昔から日本人が愛でてきた風情である。最近は桜のピーク時期にあわせてライトアップをする桜の名所も増加中。編集部のおすすめ夜桜スポットは、千鳥ヶ淵、目黒川、隅田公園、井の頭公園、六義園など。千鳥ヶ淵のライトアップは必見。厳かで幽玄な雰囲気は、ここが戦没者のための祈念の地であることと関係があるのだろうか。