Hanami Bento and the Sakura Forecast

One thing I love about Cherry Blossom Viewing is Hanami Bento. Sure it’s just regular bento stuff decorated with sakura-shaped carrots and pink and green dumplings called dango, but it’s really nice to look at. While I have been to a couple of the big parties where karaoke and nama beer are involved, I sometimes prefer to just head off with a few people who share my interest in photographing the blossoms. About the only time we sit down under the sakura trees is when we have Hanami Bento.

I’m excited about that right now as the Cherry Blossom Season is almost upon us. According to Japan Probe, it could be as early as this weekend. Neil Duckett and Evan Pike of Japan Photo Guide have also put up Cherry Blossom Viewing Forecast Maps.

See Japan Guide’s List of Popular Hanami Spots.

Some tips for enjoying the cherry tree blossoms (Taken form Metropolis Magazine)

• Repeat the word “kirei” every 10 seconds
• Remember that volunteering to reserve a spot for your company is a good way to get out of half a day of work
• Impress your friends by learning an enka song
• Lose all your friends by singing an enka song
• Always be the first one to leave so that you don’t have to help clean up
• Bring a cup with a lid to discourage errant blossoms from ending up in your beer
• Don’t forget to bring an inconspicuos video camera to catch any memorable behavior by your boss