Photographs from a small group of islands
In fact so long as there are a few bits of cherry blossom still about, drinking on the street is not only socially acceptable, it’s sociable. Plus possibly even more staggering is the fact that it’s so incredibly civilised.
Tokyo’s cherry blossoms may well be associated with large amounts of booze, but they are a yearly pleasure enjoyed by people of all ages. From pensioners like the ones posted last week. To the young families photographed below. A simple social event that more than anything brings lots of people together. And, in doing so, for a few hours at least forces the far less pleasant aspects of life to fade away.
A glance through a window into a world that is as unfamiliar to me, as it’s familiar to them — and each other.
Considering the amount of cake and sweets that many Japanese seem to consume, the country really should be adding obesity issues to its long list of concerns — but it’s not. Far from it in fact. Meaning that on the whole, people do indeed have their cake and eat it too.
And, if it’s all as wonderfully fresh as this, then why not?
Coffee shops are plentiful in Tokyo, but the only trouble is, many of them are much the same. Big companies, selling colossal amounts of coffee, in comfy but ultimately characterless surroundings.
Not that there aren’t any independent shops of course, it’s just finding them. But when one does, they often offer a far more interesting look.
Traditional Japanese tea ceremony is a fascinating practice. Its acute focus on aesthetics, however, along with an extremely strict adherence to specific movements and manners, probably makes the whole thing rather uncomfortable and stifling — at least for a beginner, anyway.
But to simply sit and watch it is an absolute treat.
And from a safe distance, those movements and manners are a mystifying marvel.
