Hanami-ing in Tokyo and Kyoto

April can be a special month in Japan. For one week sometime between March and May, the sakura (cherry blossom) trees bloom their brilliant small white / rose flowers and produce spectacular viewing in spots across Japan. It is such an event that it has its own word in the dictionary - hanami, or cherry-blossom viewing.

First up, Tokyo. Here, there are a couple of well-known spots fo hanami. We chose Yoyogi-koen (Yoyogi Park) near the Harajuku neighborhood. Here, we stumbled upon perhaps the best day of the season for hanami, as the park was filled with merry-makers. Groups had picnic blankets, delicious food and drink. In addition, there were several karaoke machines and 20-person coordinated dances done in character costume. Oh, and don't forget the group of folks dressed as 50s greasers. Bizarre and completely lovely.

Second, the gorgeous sakura of Kyoto. Wow, they really take this city to a whole other level. There are wonderful sakura in Maruyama-koen, complete with outdoor restaurants and food hawkers. There are delightful sakura at Kiyomizu-ji that are lit up at night and surround the hilltop temple. There are fantastic sakura lining the river of the traditional Gion neighborhood, great complements to the architecture of the area.

What lucky timing to have landed in these cities on the right days of the year!