Hanami season started a little while ago already. As you’ve seen, over the years I’ve taken a lot of pictures of the cherry blossoms. This year, when I went to Ogaki, of course, there were a few flowers already. The street I live on got about a three-week head start over the rest of the city.

花見2009/03/07

Just this past weekend, however, even though I’ve lived here for over three years now, I actually went to my first hanami party. You know, with the blue vinyl tarps and the hanging around and drinking.

2009-03-29 お花見

Even though Meijo koen was only at about 30% full bloom, and it was rather cold and windy for a late March Sunday, it was a perfect time out. It all ended with a trip to the karaoke box, the quintessential ending to such an affair.