Hayato is from The Lost Castle
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Hanami is a wonderful experience. You can enjoy hanami alone but it is most fun with friends or family. Make sure you go at the right time. March and April are best for hanami in Japan but check for your country.
First, prepare food and drink for a picnic. Don’t forget to bring a picnic blanket and a jacket to keep you warm and dry. If you want, you can also bring a book, notebook, or sketch book.
Next, find a cherry tree. A park with more than one cherry tree is best but one tree is enough!
Place your blanket in the best spot for blossom viewing. If the petals are not falling, place the blanket where you will be able to see the tree best. If the petals are falling, place the blanket under the tree.
X Do not place the blanket too close to where other people are sitting. X
Sit on the blanket and focus on the blossoms. Notice the colour and shape. If the sun is shining, notice how the colour changes when you look through the blossoms towards the light. Listen for the leaves moving in the breeze. If the petals are falling, watch how slowly they float to the ground. Try to catch some in your hands.
Now you are ready to enjoy your picnic. If you are in Japan, you may be able to buy some Sakura (cherry blossom) ice cream to enjoy at the end.
After you have eaten, don’t be in a hurry to leave. You can read, write a poem, or draw the cherry blossom.
When you are ready to go home, make sure you take everything with you, and keep the area neat and tidy so others can enjoy hanami too.
Deborah Grant-Dudley 