by Jen Ruhl
Cherry blossoms will be in full bloom very soon in Kanagawa! They are expected in the first week of April. I'm sure many of you have participated in hanami (cherry blossom viewing parties) in past years. Why are the cherry blossoms such a big deal in Japan?
The cherry blossom is the unofficial flower of Japan, and hanami is actually an ancient custom. Apparently aristocrats used to sit around looking at cherry blossoms and writing poems, which started the tradition. Today, I doubt much poem writing goes on during hanami gatherings. In popular sakura spots, you'll see crowds of people lazing about under the trees on their blue tarps. It's kind of like a big picnic with lots of beer and sake.
I asked several of my Japanese friends and colleagues why they felt the sakura and hanami were an important part of their culture. Many of them responded simply that they are a sign of spring, which is a welcome relief from the cold winter. One JTE said that seeing the cherry blossoms makes people feel re-energized, and she compared that to how many Christians might feel about the Easter season.
Several people connected the sakura with "new beginnings." Since the new school year and most staff changes at companies occur in April, the sakura are in bloom just in time for these milestones. A former student told me that hanami parties are a good chance for his friends to gather and celebrate the "new steps" in their lives. A JTE mentioned that staff members often chat with each other and express hope that the cherry blossoms will be in bloom for the entrance ceremony.
Some people replied that since the sakura are only in bloom for about one week, it is the temporary beauty that attracts them. A few mentioned that the sakura reminds her of the purity of spirit of the samurai. Many of my friends said that pink is a popular color in Japan, and when the petals finally fall from the trees, it is a very graceful and beautiful sight!
There are many great hanami spots in Kanagawa (as well as neighboring parts of Tokyo). I've compiled a list of 10:
1. Odawara. Chokozan Shodai-ji Temple. 30 minute walk from Iriuda Station. This temple is home to the famous weeping cherry tree.
2. Futamatagawa. Kodomo Shizen Park. 15 minute walk from Futamatagawa Station.
3. Yokohama. Sankei-en Garden Take bus #8 for 20 minutes from Sakuragicho Station to Honmoku Sankei-enmae. Admission is 300 yen.
4. Yokohama. Mitsuzawa Park. 15 minute walk from Mitsuzawa-Kamicho Station. Directions are well-marked because it is also a large sports park.
5. Ikegami (Tokyo). Ikegami Honmon-ji Temple. 10 minute walk from Ikegami Station. This temple is also the head temple of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism.
6. Kawasaki. Sumiyoshi-zakura Park. 3 minute walk from Motosumiyoshi Station.
7. Machida (Tokyo). Yakushi-Ike Park. From Machida Station, take a bus to Yakushi-Ike-koen.
8. Yokosuka. Kinugasayama Park. 20 minute walk from Yokosuka-Chuo Station.
9. Kamakura. Kencho-ji Temple. 10 minute walk from the famous Tsurugaoka-hachimangu Shrine, which also has a beautiful promenade of sakura in front of it. Admission is 300 yen.
10. Sagamihara. Shiyakusho Sakura Street. 10 minute walk from Sagamihara Station.
For other spots in Yokohama, visit yokohama echo. And here is another site for other cherry blossom spots around Kanagawa (scroll to the bottom).