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!
