Hanami in Hachimanyama Park

Rented some cool electric bikes today for only $3 for a day at the bike rental store.  Bikes are fully equipped with basket, bell and a big seat!! 

It's close to lunchtime and we want to go to get food for hanami at the park in Utsunomiya at Hachimanyanma Park.

We found the park with no problems, the parking lot is full and it's only 11am.  People start early when hanami is involved.

As always there is a set of stairs that lead to the most beautiful park with so many sakura trees and a great views.  

This weeping cherry tree is so beautiful with its long hanging branches and pretty pink flowers.

Since we didn't bring a blue tarp we were on the lookout for a picnic table.

If you are a low man in company you get the job of finding a spot and setting up for the party when the rest of the company gets off work.  This guy is set up and now must sit and wait for the rest of his friends from the company to get there.

We found a picnic table but it was occupied by a family. There was space at their table so I ask if we could sit there too.  Of course, they were happy that we wanted to sit with them. 

This is the picture of the family we sat with.

The oldest girl asks if she could take our picture, I said yes.  I then ask her can I take your pictures :-)  such a wonderful family we got to meet at this park.

The observation deck is on the top of this tower.  We never went up in the tower just didn't have time.  An elevator ride to the top is only $1.90.  There is a window marked to show you where to look for the Sky Tree in Tokyo.  The tower is located on top of a hill in the park.  The observation deck is about 30 meters up.  At night, the tower is lit up, blue in the summer and green the other months. 

The flowers are in full bloom at this park.  This really sets the stage for hanami in the park.

We walked around and saw much fair food to eat and pretty pink lanterns strung along the path.

As we walked along the path there was another path that led to a bridge. From the bridge you can see the entire city of Utsunomiya, Japan.  This bridge leads to a huge playground and also a place to ride go-carts.

At one of the festival booths I saw many mask hanging.  So many people were wearing including adults.

There are 830 cherry trees and 5,000 azaleas planted through out the park, making this park extremely popular during the cherry blossom viewing season.