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Mikuru Miruku
Nice one by Marvin. Seeing as there are still another 12 hours left of Mikuru Day, lets see more support for M... ( more » )
Sat 07/19 10:22 comments (11)
Video Challenge 1
Japan Probe discovers a DVD that contains clips of people just looking at you. So here is the challenge, can ... ( more » )
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Fundoshi 2
Previously we saw girls wearing fundoshi and it seems like the lads approved. But how about the girls? Do you... ( more » )
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Fate Unlimited Codes...
I know we talked this already but the better pics are now out and shes just gorgeous. I think its the combina... ( more » )
Fri 07/18 22:24 comments (45)
Kotobukiya  Riannon
Hijacked from wcouldx. This figure of Riannon is looking just fine - apart from the stand. Looks like shes ju... ( more » )
Fri 07/18 21:04 comments (15)
Stealing Pantsu
A man aged 30 came up on his bike behind a sailor fuku school girl (15), sprayed some sort of liquid in her fa... ( more » )
Fri 07/18 15:30 comments (63)
Psycho Gundam MK II
More pics of the GFF MC Psycho Gundam MK II at GA Graphic. Retails for 13,650 yen and is out in September. My... ( more » )
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日本語/Japanese  Tue 04/01 09:55 JST
"Hanami" [花見[はなみ]] is the Japanese word meaning "flower viewing" and is also the term used to describe the traditional custom of viewing cherry blossoms (sakura) which bloom at the end of March/early April.
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Hanami season means that most Japanese folk make a point of going out to see the cherry blossoms. There are posters all over the place encouraging people to get out and visit places like Kyoto which also has a scenic spots for hanami.
Hanami (click to enlarge)
This year we decided to go to a place in Kanagawa called Mitsuike Park. Its a long walk from the station but its worth it. Folks who are interested in going can look up directions here.
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Figma Haruhi joins in on the hanami shenanigans.
Hanami (click to enlarge)
We lay out a blanket on the grass and laze in the sun while munching on snacks and reading for a few hours.
Hanami (click to enlarge)
And other folks do the same too. Most are prepared with large outdoor mats.
Hanami (click to enlarge)
They have a small Korean type village set up in the park.
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Very nice to get away from Tokyo once in a while. But I start to itch and whip out the iPod Touch to look for a WiFi connection from time to time ^^;
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Just about everybody is there with their camera.
Hanami (click to enlarge)
T'was a lovely day indeed.
Hanami (click to enlarge)
If you was in Japan during hanami season, would it be on your list of things to do?
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Hanami (click to enlarge)
I hear form other folks who went hanami that places like Shinjuku and Ueno were packed and that one had to queue just to get into the parks.
Hanami (click to enlarge)
A pro hanami snapper.
Hanami (click to enlarge)
While most hanami passes peacefully, some of the folk get rowdy from drinking too much and cause trouble for other hanami spectators - usually happens at night though.
Many places set up lights to illuminate the cherry blossoms at night.
Members Xenohawk, Neil Duckett and Ninja Mari have some nice pics of their hanami sessions.
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Didnt see any cherry blossoms in my 27 years in London but was suprised to see that Seattle had a load of them everywhere. Do you have cherry blossoms in your region too?
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Hanami (click to enlarge)
And this is for those of you who nearly fell asleep by looking at all the cherry blossoms - she's Risa Shimamoto and you can see more pics of her that I snapped a while ago in this article.
Hanami (click to enlarge)
Polls
Henry in Makati, Philippines
anime/cosplay events organizer
Registered on 2006/12/25 19:17
Hanami is definitely one of the things that i want to do when i visit japan ^___^

those sakura trees are simply beautiful and gorgeous  and i want to experience their beauty first hand ^_____^

btw Danny, you made a typo on your topic title ^^
(ID #164413) Posted on 2008/03/31 19:21
Hirito in The Little Red Dot - Singapore
ORD!! Now awaiting Uni admission.
Registered on 2007/09/01 18:24
Beautiful... I would definitely have a Hanami session with friends, drink lots of sake and enjoy, but of course trying not to disturb others too.

Did you go early to camp for a spot?
(ID #164414) Posted on 2008/03/31 19:24
FatBastard in over his head
Meat Puppet
Registered on 2007/11/04 18:16
Was at a park on the way to Shanghai with loads of cherry blossom trees. They weren't in full bloom yet, and I don't recall the name of the park. 
Too cold here for cherry blossoms. They'd just cry out in agony and die.
(ID #164415) Posted on 2008/03/31 19:26
Lurker
Registered on 2008/03/09 00:28
We have cherry blossoms here ,but not as many as in Japan.Too bad people prefer sitting on computers all day long instead of going out to relax. :(
(ID #164416) Posted on 2008/03/31 19:27
kakit in Toronto, Canada
Student
Registered on 2007/04/24 07:45
Would really love to see hanami if I ever go visit. Hopefully will have time this summer to swing by after HK =P
(ID #164418) Posted on 2008/03/31 19:28
Registered on 2006/12/24 23:42
those images you took sure look breathtaking. wish I went there a bit later than I did. I'll be sure to try to go there during the months you mentioned. 
btw about your question. I remember cherry blossoms grew in Vancouver. but not in Manila, too hot. ^^;
(ID #164422) Posted on 2008/03/31 19:34
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
It is always good to rest a bit and admire the beauty of nature while traveling, so yes, I'd do it without a doubt.
Even more so because it only last for a few days of each year...
Ah, sake and cherry-blossoms... 

I've been wondering what is behind the idea of the fetish basically describing drunken office ladies shamelessly removing their kimono in front of her colleagues and bystanders (meaning getting completely nude), to get "more comfortable". Oh well. *shrugs*
(ID #164425) Posted on 2008/03/31 19:44
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
Umm, not kimono but their office uniform. 
Got things mixed up.
(ID #164427) Posted on 2008/03/31 19:45
Haseo in USA
Professional Slacker ;D
Registered on 2007/12/04 14:22
I'd definitely go every year and watch the Sakura tree blossom if I were there. It'd be nice to just go sit under one of them and just relax.

You took gorgeous shots too, btw! :)
(ID #164428) Posted on 2008/03/31 19:47
Choo in Singapore
Student
Registered on 2007/10/31 21:28
and thats the reason why i wanna visit Japan. Sakura Blossoms =D
(ID #164436) Posted on 2008/03/31 20:26
Caitlin in Japan
Dancing Monkey
Registered on 2008/03/07 21:56
I like sakura but I don't know if I'll go see them this year at any famous location.  It's kind of hard to enjoy them when you're crowded in a park like sardines.
(ID #164438) Posted on 2008/03/31 20:28
Ben-Ohki in Ottawa - Canada
Programmer
Registered on 2007/12/03 11:30
"in case" we fell asleep? Danny, you know us too well! :)

There was a cherry tree in the courtyard of my university. It was beautiful but also stuck out like a sore thumb... I would love to visit Japan in the spring time. I'm sure it would be very different from taking a look at a single tree in that courtyard....
(ID #164440) Posted on 2008/03/31 20:35
Evil King in Vlaardingen, the Netherlands, Earth
Student and full-time otaku
Registered on 2007/12/19 00:24
I'd love to go see the blossoms if I ever get to Japan. Until then, I just have to make do with the one sakura in our garden, which has yet to sprout a single flower this year.
(ID #164453) Posted on 2008/03/31 21:11
Panther in Urban Hell (Singapore)
Deathseeker
Registered on 2007/12/24 09:20
Yep, want to see these as well if I can.

And if I do go and I hear a "Chire, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi", well, having sakura blossoms as the last thing I see is not bad...even if they are imitation ones.
(ID #164454) Posted on 2008/03/31 21:12
Tami in Germany - Cologne
WebDesign, Coding, Administration
Registered on 2007/12/16 10:42
Yea Hanami is one of the few things left for me to do/see in Japan, covered pretty much every other festival type on my other trips there.
Sadly i won't know of a place in germany that has a setup of so many cherry trees lines up that it would like like in Japan, you spot a tree here and there single, maybe two... but didn't find more - also they tend to be rather small compared to the ones in the pictures i have seen from Japan.
Nice pictures there Danny.
(ID #164457) Posted on 2008/03/31 21:38
Ninja Mari in Japan
Japanese Student
Registered on 2007/11/06 11:10
Great pictures, Danny!

I also went on the weekend. Got a few more places I want to visit to take pictures of, too!
(ID #164458) Posted on 2008/03/31 21:55
yumeno in Singapore
Student
Registered on 2007/10/22 14:49
Oh yes definately. It's too "green" in Singapore. Need to see more pink!! Lol.
(ID #164460) Posted on 2008/03/31 22:00
Stinger in Alex live in Malaysia
Student + Japanese wannabe
Registered on 2007/12/13 22:57
ehh....none of these are in the wallpaper section? too bad, it's beautiful and i wanted to make it on my desktop background XD
(ID #164461) Posted on 2008/03/31 22:04
CrazyAnimeTuga in Portugal
Student
Registered on 2007/01/03 02:12
If I go to Japan I'll try to go in this time to see the Sakura trees ^^. Well the Sakura season in my country is over, it started in midd January to the end of February, there are still some flowered trees but are very scarce now. Although we don't really have many Sakura trees what we have are almond trees which are as beautifull as sakura ones.

Got some pics here http://animestuff.wordpress.com/2008/01/25/master-grade-gundam-unicorn-arrival/
(ID #164463) Posted on 2008/03/31 22:06
student learning to be an accountant
Registered on 2008/02/26 15:45
sakura trees looks so nice i want one in garden of my house :D 
(ID #164469) Posted on 2008/03/31 22:24
Paliodor in Poland
Registered on 2008/03/18 07:17
When I go to japan (I hope that it will happen in the nearest two years),  Hanami will be on my list to do. I think that end of March/early April is the best period of time to visit Japan since then is time for Hanami and TAF^^
And those photos of cherry blossoms in this article are very beautiful.
(ID #164471) Posted on 2008/03/31 22:29
sbebiwan in France, Paris
Otaku Webmaster
Registered on 2006/12/28 21:51
I went to Japan during Hanami, and I'm glad I did, it was very beautiful with all the blooming sakura trees everywhere. When I come back, I'll try to do during hanami again !
(ID #164473) Posted on 2008/03/31 22:32
Martin Wandering in Taibei
Student, Spiral Warrior
Registered on 2008/02/04 10:01
Lovely images, Danny.

Having grown up around Seattle, the Sakura are a familiar and much-loved sight. Not as many of them down in Portland, but fortunately there's a grove of them planted in the center of my college's campus. Their blooming is perhaps my favorite thing to observe in the course of an entire year.

Alas, such things aren't so nearby here in Taibei... So I look forward to next Spring.
(ID #164475) Posted on 2008/03/31 22:33
Tiny Red Man in Pedobear Land
Full Time Pedobear
Registered on 2007/04/11 16:51
*totally unrelated*

What's the japanese term for "Pantsu viewing"?
(ID #164477) Posted on 2008/03/31 22:44
Alfisti in Brisbane, Australia
Wannabe Designer
Registered on 2008/01/08 19:07
Hanami would be great to see in Japan, however I'm not sure being in the middle of such a crowd seems either appealing or restfull.

Still it'd be a great experience.  I've not seen a cherry blossom in my life, for spring in Brisbane we instead have Jacaranda trees, which are the same general effect but with a soft purple flower.  Basic rule is that if you haven't started studying for your finals by the time the Jacarandas bloom you'll most likely fail.

Nice sharp shots of the flowers by the way.  I swear if most of your photos are to be belived then Japan seems to have a permanent bright blue sky and sunny days.
(ID #164478) Posted on 2008/03/31 22:55
shiva diva in シンガポール
closet hikikomori
Registered on 2007/10/25 10:45
Hanami! Will there still be sakura late april? I;ll be there but I think the flowers won't wait for me :( Seems like I'm missing everything nice in Japan (again!). 
(ID #164479) Posted on 2008/03/31 22:58
keats in NL
student
Registered on 2007/09/02 20:42
I hope you didn't go with your wife and played with Haruhi all the time.. you'd be making her very very sad.
(ID #164480) Posted on 2008/03/31 23:02
xenohawk in Tokyo, Japan
Programmer, Web Developer / Web Designer
Registered on 2007/07/16 13:59
Very nice picture Danny, very good day and place. The place I go to was so crowded so it is hard to take picture without people in it. 
(ID #164482) Posted on 2008/03/31 23:08
Timotei in Sweden
NEET
Registered on 2008/02/17 09:28
Yeah, Hanami is on my " must do " list too. Can't wait until I arrive in Japan. 

Love those tree's, they are just beautiful. 
(ID #164494) Posted on 2008/03/31 23:24
Pyramid_Head in somewhere
student
Registered on 2008/02/07 01:13
T_T, comiket or this? T_T
there's no way i will go to japan for twice in a row in 4 month, or no way to stay there for 4 month T_T
(ID #164499) Posted on 2008/03/31 23:38
ale/pepino in Fukuoka
Internet contents, music, webdev
Registered on 2008/03/17 11:21
Moar figure hanami pics!
(ID #164501) Posted on 2008/03/31 23:42
Soshi in Singapore
Student
Registered on 2007/09/15 21:29
Hanami is awesome with an ice-cold beer in hand! I had lots of fun at Ueno during Hanami last year - it got really lively!
(ID #164502) Posted on 2008/03/31 23:45
AndyH in Birmingham, UK
3D artist
Registered on 2006/12/25 10:08
Aw, this makes me sad!
This time last year, i was in Japan for a month. We had a mini-hanami in Yoyogi and Ueno park. *sobs*
(ID #164504) Posted on 2008/03/31 23:47
Arekusu in The Lost Woods
Dai Gurren Dan member
[f] 
Registered on 2006/12/31 18:24
Hanami is the reason i am choosing to go to Japan in April next year. Thats right, its set, i shall be returning to Japan in 2009, i haven't booked it yet, but its all planned, and one of the main things i want to do is see the cherry blossom ^_^
(ID #164517) Posted on 2008/04/01 00:26
chun in home feeling sleepy LOL
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
Registered on 2007/01/09 14:33
miss japan so much! Cherryblossoms are blooming here too (woot) but not as spectacular as those in Japan (Since the ones in japan are hugerer XD
one of the snapshots I took yesterday ( a goregous day as well)
flickr.com/photos/puppy52/2376761612/
(ID #164519) Posted on 2008/04/01 00:38
yanggie in Singapore
Advocado
Registered on 2008/01/14 16:42
Shinjuku Gyoen de hanami o shimashita (on March 28th).

It was beautiful. ^^ 
(ID #164521) Posted on 2008/04/01 00:41
Aikyrie in NY
Graphic Designer
Registered on 2008/03/31 02:12
Ah! I miss Spring in Japan! My friends and I would try to catch the falling sakuras with our noses. 
(ID #164522) Posted on 2008/04/01 01:02
CRAZY_BLACK_KNIGHT in somewhere in world
conker the world
Registered on 2008/03/29 01:46
Wow that is really awsome!!
I love Sakura is my favorite plant
(ID #164523) Posted on 2008/04/01 01:12
wcloudx in Singapore
Artist
Registered on 2008/01/12 03:00
Wow!! Beautiful!! d>_<b
(ID #164527) Posted on 2008/04/01 01:31
jowy in philippines
vendor
Registered on 2008/01/23 08:25
I wish i have that sakura seeds to plat it..That is my only wishes 4 my B-day.
(ID #164528) Posted on 2008/04/01 01:34
janken in Germany
Student
Registered on 2008/01/24 04:10
We have a lot of these japanese cherry trees in our garden, and it is always a pleasure to look at them in the spring. 
(ID #164530) Posted on 2008/04/01 01:38
Jotham in Los Angeles, CA
Student
Registered on 2008/03/08 16:19
definately looks relaxing. There are a few cherry blossoms in Little Tokyo here in LA but it cant be compared to the real and uncut sakura's of Japan.
(ID #164531) Posted on 2008/04/01 01:59
gurugurutrex in Vancouver, B.C., Canada
オタク by moonlight, Graphic Designer by daylight
Registered on 2007/11/08 03:37
Off topic!!!
I found Mirai ADV in Nitro+!!!!!!
Is it gonna be an eroge? XD
(ID #164538) Posted on 2008/04/01 02:42
Akiba-Kid in California, USA
Online Shop
Registered on 2008/01/17 11:35
Too bad I can't visit Japan during spring to enjoy Hanami...

Seems like news is leaked with the new banner above!!??  I would wait until Danny reveals the big news himself though ^_^
(ID #164540) Posted on 2008/04/01 02:51
technonewt in Talent, Oregon, United States
College Student
Registered on 2007/11/02 11:41
I actually have 3 cherry trees in full bloom right outside my window. I didn't even realize it till I realized it was hanami season :)
They are lovely to look at. Hanami is good family togetherness time.
(ID #164544) Posted on 2008/04/01 03:10
Soshi in Singapore
Student
Registered on 2007/09/15 21:29
!!!! (no where else to post this so, please excuse me!!)

I just noticed the Nitro+ banner for a Mirai renai game! O: Hurrah!
(ID #164555) Posted on 2008/04/01 03:58
Timotei in Sweden
NEET
Registered on 2008/02/17 09:28
Also notice that it's april 1.


" april 1 is known as April Fool's Day or All Fools' Day in many countries. " 

..and if this isn't a joke, I'm sorry. ^^;
(ID #164572) Posted on 2008/04/01 05:37
blackhawk in USA
Registered on 2007/03/04 07:05
Huge amounts of Cherry Blossoms in California.
(ID #164573) Posted on 2008/04/01 05:42
Laz Long in East Coast, USA
Project Manager
Registered on 2007/10/23 12:11
Hey Danny - great pics.

I went down to Washington , D.C. yesterday for the Cherry Blossom Festival. Looks like you had better weather