Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Sakura Season!


The season for cherry blossoms has finally come. Sakura, which means cherry blossoms in Japanese, is becoming a known word worldwide these days. In major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, and areas further south, the season arrives three weeks earlier than the Tohoku area. Since cherry petals usually fall in a week or so, most of them in southern areas have already fallen by now.  This proves Japan’s profoundly long north-south geographical length.

If you walk a few blocks from Tohoku University’s Kawauchi Campus, now you can find many trees bearing pink petals. The contrast of colors—blue and pink—looks perfectly uplifting when the sky is clear. 



In fact, many students of student circles plan “cherry-blossom-viewing” parties to welcome the freshmen in April. Some of the best places for that are Nishi-Park and Tsutsujigaoka-Park. Nishi-Park is within walking distance from Kawauchi Campus, and stage shows are held there for those who would like to sing songs during sakura season.



Tsutsujigaoka-Park is famous for “weeping cherry trees,” whose long braches dangle and sway in the wind. It is very close to Sendai Station, so the park fills with people who travel all the way from far places.



Every year around this time, there are reports that quite a few people binge-drink while viewing sakura, and are taken to hospital due to alcohol poisoning. Some of them end up dying. So please enjoy the sakura, but we advise you to avoid drinking if you are underage, or drink in moderation if you are an adult!