Hanami Update

　 With cherry blossoms entering the Zenkai (fully-open) stage, now is the time for an update on the Hanami ("flower-watching", drinking under the cherry blossom) season.

Currently it seems that 95% of all trees in Japan are cherry blossoms in full bloom, and they are all working together, quietly trying their hardest to not disappoint the eager Hanami-goers.

And this approach seems to be working. Point a camera in any direction on any island in the Japanese archipelago, and you are likely to encounter...

... a bunch of other people pointing cameras!

Here's another:

Now, if you looked at the pictures above and felt an irresistible urge to say "Aw, that is SO pretty", then you may be able to claim Japanese citizenship, I am told.

However, while Hanami parties are a fun mix of cherry blossoms and booze, someone has to do the Shtami ("look under", or reserving the spot for the rest of the office), such as this guy.

There has been a certain amount of rumours, albeit from high-placed sources, saying that this weekend, in Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe, it may... rain! This would be nothing short of a calamity for the delicate flowers and for Hanami season in these areas. Understandably, today and tomorrow are going to be busy.

Today, on the radio, one lady said that she had to reserve a place at 5am for a Hanami starting at 10am. Some people are sent to wait for eight hours or more - and no going to the bathroom - responsibility for the Hanami spot is a crucial way to show your office that you are earnest, diligent, and a trustworthy member of the team. The longer you have to endure, so much the better to show what you're made of. Competition for the best spots is fierce. Albeit in a polite and reserved way.

Here there are so many adjacent Hanami parties going on, each with its regulation blue plastic sheet, that some of them have only slightly better views than a carpark.

But with so many people, booze deliveries are complicated - this is a guy ferrying a case of beer, searching for his customer:

And here is a group of businessmen who are having a modest Hanami, standing under a Sakura tree. At least they have a good view.　

Bottom line: time to go and do some serious flower-watching.