crowds, cameras, and pale pink blooms

The Japanese, more concerned with recording the moment than being in it at times like this, are mad for cherry blossoms. It's an actual madness, I'm convinced. That said, appreciation for nature and remembering to stop and smell the er, blossoms is admirable. Over the first 3 weeks in April, all ages and all manner of people took part in Hanami (cherry blossom viewing parties) that require a lot of eating and drinking under the impossibly pink and fluffy trees.
This photo was also taken at the Osaka Mint. There were a ridiculous amount of people.