For many folks, this past weekend was the best opportunity to view the blossoming cherry trees, an event known here as hanami. Hanami is an ancient tradition where friends and family sit under trees, all day long, consuming beer and snacks and otherwise having a good, relaxing time.
But I think the festivities were probably toned down a bit this year; there’s still a nuclear crisis to worry about, and, well, it’s just sad to think of all the families not enjoying hanami because their homes and communities have been destroyed. Still, many people turned out where I live.
With my daily trips through Hyogo (the area between Osaka and Kobe), I’m always catching some interesting or otherwise crazy shit with my camera. Nowadays I’m shuffling between a Canon S95 and a Lumix GH1. Now if I could just remember to always replace their battery packs before I leave the house…
The other day I visited a giant shopping mall called Lalaport. I was a bit surprised at how stuffed it was full of shoppers. It was even hard to walk thru some areas.
I guess they aren’t too concerned with Japan’s serious financial crisis and the likely oncoming recession. Or maybe they’re just trying to stimulate the economy.
Anyhow, with spring temperatures finally in the air, the stores are selling a lot of cool looking light jackets and blue jeans. Often, I can wear this kind of stuff well towards the end of the year, so I’m always interested in what comes out during spring.
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i also want to get a job in china