the "official hanami season" is over

Chidorigafuchi. The one of the most famous places to view the famous Japanese cherry blossoms. I must say that they were extremely beautiful and seeing so many of them in a row in full bloom was quite impressive. Can understand why the Japanese have "ohanami" parties. The soft delicate pink of the flowers against the dull, grey concrete buildings are a definitley a sight for sore eyes. What one doesn't see are the masses of people, all trying to get a view of the cherry blossoms. It really was crowded, a bit like the Shinjuku station. All very calm and organised, but still, rather tiring trying to dodger people and go the pace of a snail..



Have decided to paste up photos rather than trying to explain the hanami...


What I would like to know is why is this statue looking down.. Another sign of women feeling depressed in this city or waiting for her man. Men paying more attention to the cherry blossoms than a girl? Hmm... that is a theory that I could understand about the typical Japanese male. Maybe she has decided to give up on him and would rather spend her time by the palace? Anyway, why is she there in the first place and why is she looking so melacholic? Does anyone know the history of this statue?



This one is the classic "all-rounder" Japanese photo (I will call it this), since it has the Yasukuni Shrine Gate in the far background, the Japanese flag flying, a crow soaring high in the air, the cherry blossoms and finally the "Nissen Cup Noodle". Just wish I could've got a sumo wrestler in the photo too! Either that or a Geisha would have come in handy..



Finally, where would we be without the "yaki-imo"
(roasted sweet potato). 　There were a number of these small trucks selling the potaotes around Chidorigafuchi. What always surprises me is how they can have a truck with gasoline in it and have a fire going on the deck of the truck roasting the potatoes? The ironic thing is, we have to turn off the motor when we fill up gas since it could be "dangerous"! If this "yaki-imo" situation isn't considered dangerous as a potential explosion waiting to happen, then help me! (It used to be in the olden days, an oldish guy would pull around a cart with the roasted sweet potato...) So much for safety regulations being updated and followed..

And with that, I think the official hanami photo season is over for yet another year.

To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
An eternity in an hour.
William Blake