Ueno Hanami

One of the most popular places to go for 花見 (Cherry-Blossom Viewing) in Tokyo is Ueno.

We decided to go there yesterday before the end of Sakura season came (which is soon…when Sakura bloom, they don’t stay long).

Here is a video of the Sakura trees and the crowd appreciating the view:

And here’s another video of the Sakura petals falling in the breeze like snow falling:

We were lucky because while we were there we happened to catch a お稚児さん(O-chigo-san) procession.

This is a parade of Buddist monks and local children dressed up in special kimono and make-up to bless the opening of a new temple.

(My kids actually did this once a number of years ago).

Here’s a video we took of the O-chigo-san in Ueno yesterday (The monks who are wearing what appear to be baskets on their heads are hiding their unshaven heads before Buddah. This looks odd even to most Japanese people)

Anyways, here it is: