お花見🌸

o-hanami, “cherry blossom viewing.”

Nihonshu (Japanese saké) in a “juice box” is a nice way to enhance the experience.

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Cherry blossom viewing is serious business in Japan.

To do “o-hanami” (literally “flower see”) right, you just get together with some friends and/or family, spread out a blanket or picnic sheet in a good spot with some sakura (cherry blossoms), and enjoy some beers, Japanese saké, snacks and other goodies under your favorite blossoming tree in the warm April sun.

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@mslight2016st finding a good spot.

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Though today was alternately sunny and warm, and cloudy and cool, the sakura were out for all to see, all the same.

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My two favorite people.

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Sakura near the rear entrance of historic Hakusan Park, Niigata City, Japan.

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My son and I.

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On the way to get some snacks for our impromptu hanami today, I crossed through the grounds of nearby Hakusan park and shrine.

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Enjoying the beautiful sights near Hakusan Shrine.

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A koma-inu (mythical dog/beast which guards holy places such as shrines) makes sure no unworthy infiltrators pass.

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Enjoying some sweets in the sun.

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~*~

(Thanks for stopping by! If you missed the last installment of Japan Photo Blog, Vol. 83: "Taiyō,”
you can find that here.)

~KafkA

!

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Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist, creator, and peaceful parent residing in Niigata City, Japan. Graham runs the "Voluntary Japan" online initiative with a presence here on Steem, as well as DTube and Twitter. (Hit me up so I can stop talking about myself in the third person!)