HANAMI: Sakura & Sake-Sipping

Sipping sake while viewing cherry blossoms is an important Japanese rite of spring

Buds typically appear on bare cherry tree branches toward the end of March, unfurling to full splendor by early April. Sakura last for only a few days before their fragile petals are scattered about -- indeed, it is the very fleeting nature of these flowers that so appeals to the Japanese (and why cherry blossoms were chosen as the national flower).

Wanting to make the most of life's brief-but-beautiful moments, office mates, friends, and families spread out tarps or old-fashioned goza (woven reed mats) beneath the flowering branches and proceed to eat and drink together. Hanami (flower-viewing) activities can become quite boisterous, though in a good-natured way.

Melinda Joe, author of the sake and wine blog Tokyo through the Drinking Glass and bar editor for the Tokyo Food Page, will guide us through a flight of 3 sake paired to our special hanami flower-viewing obento. Participants get to decorate and personalize their own boxed-lunch. Food is prepared and demonstrated by Elizabeth Andoh, director of A Taste of Culture.

Date	Time	Location
Not currently scheduled