Sakura in Tsukuba
Posted on 19. Apr, 2007 by dimaks in Life
Last year of the same month, I arrived in Tsukuba with the cherry blossoms almost on its last phase of bloom. The winds were still cold though – breezing through the Sakura trees and slapping by the tall buildings inside the university, as well as its vicinity. As they reveal the sign of leaving, the cherry blossoms were gradually replaced by the fresh budding green leaves.
(among the shots I took, I like this the most)
This year, the cherry blossom came early (around 2nd week of March, I think) according to some friends who have experienced the season for several years of their stay in Japan. Expectedly, the season also ended early. And according to Japan-Guide, the season first ended in many regions of southern and central Japan then moved to the northern part. Factors such as rain, wind and temperature can have strong effect on the process of the season, the website added. Looking at that, there have been rain pours and strong winds around Tsukuba from early April until now. Hence, time to time, it gets cold especially as the night approaches.
The cherry blossom or the Sakura is said to be Japan’s unofficial national flower. Celebrated for many centuries, the season claimed a very prominent position in the Japanese culture. Dozens of cherry tree varieties exist in Japan. Most of which bloom for just a couple of days in spring. Japanese people celebrate this once a year season and call it “Hanami”, which basically means, cherry blossoms viewing. In this occasion, families, friends or groups of individuals gather under the blooming trees and do some drinking and barbecuing. It is more like a picnic.
So, on the 7th of April, the Filipino group here in Tsukuba held its Hanami party. The activity has become traditional for the Filipino residents, so every year, Hanami is one of the main activities being looked and prepared upon. The group’s party was attended by Filipino students, their families and friends. The party, cum picnic was awesome. The hearty and yummy barbecue were just too irresistible. There was a bayanihan bingo for the group’s fund raising drive.
Here are some photos I took during the Hanami.
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Part-time blogger dimaks is involved in transport planning and research and is into Internet technology, PC games, digital photography, motorcycling and martial arts.. 
annamanila
Apr 19th, 2007
Beautiful sakura pictures. Especially the first one — it doesn’t look like a photograph at all but a surreal kind of artwork. It looked different to me on my second look from how it did the first time.
Poems are made by fools like us but only God can make the cherryblossom tree. Your Hanami party sounds like a lot of fun. Do they serve Pinoy food at such gatherings?
tina
Apr 20th, 2007
lovely lovely picture… i love sakurrrraaaaaaaaa…
kahit di pa ako nakakakita nito in person. 
sana when i go there even a blossom.. id preserve…. hehhehe one day i will haha 
sexy mom
Apr 20th, 2007
picturesque–how i love your sakuras! the Hanami must have been more fun with the sakuras in the backdrop. while you are savoring your fine weather there, here we are sweltering in HOT manila.
Jaypee
Apr 21st, 2007
I love looking at Cherry blossoms. I hope there’d be still some when I go to Maryland next month.
kathy
Apr 23rd, 2007
Sakuras always remind me of the first time I arrived in Japan – thus they will always hold a special meaning for me. A time for new life, new beginnings.