Blue plastic sheets are hauled out everywhere, and families, company cliques and sporting groups fight among themselves to map out a spot of turf under a desirable cherry tree. Then, at the weekend, the salaryman marches down to the chosen location for a bout of serious imbibing that would make many a hardened drinker blanch. Tokyo's lack of space and the shortness of the blossom season mean maximum density for these prodigious drinking sessions. But territorial disputes and alcohol-inspired violence are surprisingly rare. Disrobing, apparently, is not.
Someone gets naked and climbs a cherry tree.
Last year a male worker who usually behaves like a gentleman did it. It's inevitable the same thing will happen again this year. What harm the revellers do is generally to themselves. Many Japanese lack the natural enzyme that breaks down alcohol, making binge drinking extremely hazardous. The Tokyo fire department reported 131 drinkers had been taken to hospital with alcoholic poisoning in the first two weeks of this hanami season.