Picnictime

April 7th 2017


Cherry Blossom Madness

An older gentleman in a yellow pullover takes cute blossom selfies, thousands of small groups of giggling high school students, business people in full suits, young parents with children or senior citizens gather underneath trees on blue plastic blankets. People unpack sushi, nibble on fried potatoes and drink together.

Sakura is a huge event in Japan that runs through all generations and demographics. Whether on the way to school, at lunch break, or where else it can be squeezed into the schedule: Everyone flows into Ueno Park to be part of the probably second-most dense crowd I have ever been in. How an entire nation can fall so utterly in love with a blossom is incredible — and at the same time really fascinating.

Now that I've shot my 1001st Cherry Blossom image, I switch to watching people take photos, eat, drink and relax instead — and I think that's why it pays to come to Japan during the cherry blossom.
Yes, it is unbelievably crowded everywhere — but that's kind of the point.