Sakura Festival In HItachi

Two weekends ago I was really sick and wasn't able to attend the famous Sakura Festival in Hitachi. Although I could hear all the commotion from my bedroom, it still wasn't the same as experiencing it first hand. So the pictures that I have added here were donated by my lovely student Wakana. These are for both you and me to live vicariously through. The festival consisted of many street vendors, a parade, different types of shows (dancers, etc.) and of course drinking your face off. This is called Hanami...it means you sit underneath the Sakura tree with family and friends and look at the tree while getting hammered. What a great country!