Japanese Tradition / Travel Hanami @Asukayama Park March 31, 2019 / by Junko Finally, cherry blossoms are full bloom! Time to enjoy ‘Hanami (cherry blossom viewing)’! Hanami in Japan often involves a picnic party. People enjoy cherry blossoms as well as eating and drinking with friends, family or colleagues under the cherry trees. With the help of alcohol, shy Japanese people get rather friendly and you may find some actively try to start a conversation with you. While enjoying the pretty pink delights together with other people over a drink is one of the best elements of hanami, you may have to deal with annoying crowds and those over drunks. This year I went to Asukayama Park with friends and found this park is a very family-friendly place for hanami. No crazy drunks. More than 600 beautiful cherry trees on top of a hill. With homemade lunch box and bottles of wine and sake, we had very pleasant hanami time! [ Information ] Asukayama Park (飛鳥山公園) Address: 1-1-3 Oji, Kita-ku, Tokyo Closest station: Oji stn. 1 min walk (Keihin-Tohoku Line, Namboku Line) Asukayama stn. or Ojiekimae stn. 1 min walk (Toden-Arakawa Line) Junko There are so many Japanese dishes and cultures that are not well known outside of Japan and I’m happy to introduce them to you! If you tested any of our recipes feel free to send us a photo and your comments and we will be happy to publish them, even if it wasn't a complete success! :) Seeking the best balance of being free and living a stable life in this busy city, I enjoy kitchen gardening to deepen my connection with nature. Lately, I enjoy traveling to places I’ve never been and dancing Salsa/Kizomba there. Always a traveler at heart. Freelance web/graphic designer. Coffee & chocolate addict.