花見 = "hanami" (a.k.a. cherry blossom viewing)

like they fell
from heaven...
cherry blossoms
--Kobayashi Issa*

Spring in Japan means the cherry blossoms bloom, which means it's time for a 花見 ("hanami" or "flower viewing") party. It's a great excuse to wag work, plant yourself with friends under a tree in full bloom, and drink copiously. The blossoms last only about a week, so if you're not Johnny-on-the-spot, you'll miss your chance. Lori hit a few of the choicest spots, first with our friend Momo at Shinjuku Gyoen (her pick as the best viewing of the year), and then again with her "student" Kaoru, at Yoyogi park. On Saturday, we amassed a war party and hit Edogawabashi park, which is along the river close to our old place. The sky was overcast -- "hanagumori," or flower-cloudy -- but it didn't rain and the day was next best to perfect. There were about 12 of us and we fit right in with the rest of the revelers. It was a extremely good time! (Check out the videos at the bottom, too.)

*translation from David G. Lanoue's Haiku Guy website