Our First Hanami - Cherry Blossom Viewing

The cherry blossoms do not disappoint.  Phenomenal really.  Hard to put into words.  Even these pictures don't do it justice.

And they are everywhere.

Walking down the path from our house to the train station...
In the park nearby where we took a family bikeride...
On the path on the way to the zoo ...

A little more cherry blossom trivia for you...

• We've learned that it is a very short season, lasting only 1-2 weeks depending on the weather.
• There is a specific tree that indicates the official start of sakura season (made both Kevin and me think of the groundhog for some reason).
• Everyone has elaborate group picnics, and the youngest in the group gets the job of spreading out a large tarp in the morning to stake out prime hanami picnic spots for the rest of the group.
• I'm not sure why Kevin and I got such a kick out of this, but we did.  According to a "how to do hanami" website, you can look at a single tree or a group of trees.  Thanks for the tip!  Here's the exact wording... 

"Cherry blossom viewing is easy: Simply enjoy the intensity of the many blossoms by looking at a single tree or a group of trees." 

Anyway .....we did the hanami picnic in 3 different parks and somehow don't have any pictures of any of the picnics or with the kids.  Edo Castle in the evening with friends of Kevin from work.  Komazawa park while on a family bikeride.  And Shinjuku Koen for an Easter party / hanami picnic.  Was a busy hanami weekend for sure.