Introduce Japanese Culture “Cherry Blossom Viewing”

Hi, it’s Yoshio.

I went to watch cherry blossoms with my wife the other day.

The chance to go out is fewer than before because of COVID19, we could have some fresh air.

Therefore, the theme of this time is “Cherry Blossom Viewing”.

Contents

What is “Cherry Blossom Viewing”?

Overview

First of all, I explain that what is cherry blossom viewing.

There may be many people to say that “You don’t need to explain, I know that!”…

In one word, it’s “spring event of enjoying to watch cherry blossoms”.

When spring comes to Japan, many blossoms bloom, so Japanese people go to watch those view every year.

There are many famous place to watch cherry blossoms, we often see the people of holding party there.

History Of Cherry Blossom Viewing

This time I wanted to introduce that history and studied about it.

And I learned for the first time that long time ago people had watched plum blossoms, not cherry blossoms.

Correctly speaking, people watched plum blossom in the Nara period and watching cherry blossom became popular from the Heian period.

Nevertheless, it had just been sinking in nobility culture.

After that, as period goes by, it had been sinking in the life of Samurai and common people as well.

Purpose Of Cherry Blossom Viewing

Spring comes to Japan and people go to watch cherry blossoms, this is normal thing for Japanese people, but it has another purpose.

That’s enjoying eating and drinking.

Of course some people purely enjoy watching cherry blossoms.

But I feel that there are many other people who get together with someone and enjoy eating and drinking on the pretense of watching cherry blossoms.

My Personal Opinion

Here goes my personal opinion.

I’m not too interested in cherry blossom viewing.

Because it’s same every year.

And I can’t drink alcohol, this may be included in that reason.

So I haven’t basically invited someone, but I’ll go if invited.

However, after actually going to watch cherry blossoms, I feel they are beautiful and can feel spring, so I think it’s good time.

The way of thinking is not same in different person, so I would be glad if you understand that some Japanese people are like this.

Afterword

This time I simply introduced cherry blossom viewing.

There are some place of watching cherry blossoms in the countries other than Japan as well, but this culture of “Cherry Blossom Viewing” is unique to Japan.

If you are interested in it, come to Japan and try it!