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IHG ANA HOTELS in Japan. Check it out.
Here,we introduce hot sightseeing spots and cultural information from the areas
close to IHG ANA HOTELS in Japan. Check it out! |
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Roughly from the end of March to
the middle of April, Japan turns a lovely shade of pale pink. Thousands of cherry
trees come into bloom and millions of people turn out to party under them. This
is one of JapanĖs great national institutions - the hanami party.
Hana is Japanese for "flower" and mi means viewing so this word could
technically apply to any kind of blossom. In fact, plum, peach as well as irises
and hydrangeas all have festivals devoted to them. However, only sakura - the
cherry - mobilises the entire nation to party.
As the time for hanami approaches, pink seems to become the national colour. Shop
fronts, trains and beer cans all turn pink for the festivities. Throughout the
year cherry-mania can still be felt as the word "sakura" is used to
name everything from bars to electronics shops to taxi companies. Such is the
popularity of the cherry that the Chinese character for sakura is often incorporated
into girls' names.
Well before the first buds pop open, you will be quite aware of the approach of
the hanami season. Talk about whether the sakura will be early or late this year
begins even before the end of winter. Un-seasonally warm weather can bring the
blossoms as much as a week or two early. Weather reports around hanami season
will include a flower-speckled map showing where the cherry buds are fully open
and where the petals are only peeping through. Families, groups of friends, social
clubs and work places will all be following the Åcherry blossom front" closely
as it sweeps North with the warm weather. All will be hoping that they time their
party just right for that perfect pink moment.
Take a walk round any of JapanĖs parks and castles during the all too brief period
when the sakura is in full bloom and you can forget about a quiet stroll. Hanami
parties will have taken over all the available space under the trees and the sounds
of fizzing beer cans, sizzling barbecues and karaoke machines will mingle with
the laughter and chatter of people of all ages. Parties can continue well into
the evening as the petals take on an almost supernatural glow against the night
sky and their subtle fragrance seems even more intoxicating.
There was a time when hanami was a more serious affair. Abundant cherry blossoms
were once considered a good omen for the year's rice crop and religious rites
were performed. During medieval times, when the power of the samurai warlords
reigned supreme, the sakura flower, falling at the height of its beauty, became
a symbol of the life of the warrior and the transient nature of life itself. Gradually
the tradition of the hanami party spread from the nobility to the masses.
These days, cherry blossom season coincides with the beginning of the school year,
the beginning of the financial year and of course, signals that spring has truly
arrived. Wherever you are in Japan for hanami, you won't fail to feel the sense
of joy and excitement that these fragile little flowers bring. |
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