Entertainments and performances to liven up cherry-blossom viewing: spring mini games
When it comes to spring, the number one event is definitely cherry-blossom viewing (hanami)!
You can relax with your favorite drink while gazing at the beautiful cherry blossoms, or enjoy a get-together or party with everyone.
But when you’re asked to provide some entertainment or a performance—or you want to plan something yourself—it’s not always easy to come up with ideas on the spot.
So in this article, we’ll introduce activities and performances that will liven up your hanami!
We’ve also picked out games you can enjoy even when it’s hard to be loud.
One of the real joys of hanami is enjoying the beautiful cherry blossoms in between doing these activities and performances.
Here’s to a hanami that everyone can enjoy and get excited about together!
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Entertaining performances and activities to liven up cherry-blossom viewing: Spring mini games (1–10)
Love Dance
The “Koi Dance,” which became a huge hit and even a social phenomenon as the theme song for the drama We Married as a Job (Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu), features Gen Hoshino’s song “Koi,” released in 2016.
The much-talked-about “Koi Dance” has become a staple at wedding performances and school sports festivals—a tune and dance that people of all ages, from adults to children, can’t help but hum along to and perform.
It looks very cute when you watch it, but it’s surprisingly tricky to do.
Still, it’s a recommended dance that everyone can enjoy and that appeals to a wide range of age groups.
Magic Show
When it comes to entertainment, a magic show is a classic idea that always gets the crowd excited! There’s a wide range—from close-up tricks using playing cards or coins to larger, more dynamic acts that use props like ropes or plastic bottles.
It’s a good idea to choose the scale of the magic based on how many people you’ll be performing for.
Some tricks can be performed with almost no practice as long as you prepare the gimmick, so try exploring different kinds of magic.
Instrument performance
If anyone can play a musical instrument, why not perform as part of the entertainment? If you can play the guitar, you could do a solo singing-and-playing performance, and if there are a few of you, you could all play together.
However, since arranging amps and a drum set may not be practical, we recommend an acoustic setup—such as preparing an acoustic guitar and a cajón.
It could also be exciting to take song requests on the spot and play them as a fun segment!
Entertainment and performances to liven up cherry-blossom viewing: Spring mini games (11–20)
Try dancing to 'Koi Suru Fortune Cookie'
When it comes to classic party performances, dance is a go-to, right? How about everyone enjoying a dance that both kids and adults can have fun with? AKB48’s “Koisuru Fortune Cookie,” released in 2013, was a huge craze at one point—everyone was dancing to it, remember? Even now, it’s one of those definitive dance songs.
It’s beloved by a wide range of generations, so it’s a perfect feel-good spring dance tune that makes not only the people dancing but also those watching feel happy and excited.
I'll try dancing to 'Gee'
You often see K-POP dance performances as entertainment these days, right? But there are probably people who aren’t familiar with the latest K-POP hits.
Girls’ Generation’s “Gee,” released in 2009, was a massive hit in both Korea and Japan.
Many people have heard it, so when the chorus plays, it’ll make them think, “So nostalgic!” Here’s a fun idea: perform “Gee” with middle-aged men reading the title as “Jii” (meaning “old man” in Japanese), a self-deprecating twist, while the costumes are inspired by Girls’ Generation.
That would absolutely get the crowd going, wouldn’t it? Captivate the room with sharp, high-energy dance moves!
cosplay
By doing cosplay at a cherry blossom viewing party, you can attract attention not only from your own group but also from others there, and help liven up the atmosphere.
Indeed, since it’s a festive gathering, it seems acceptable even if strangers are the ones doing it.
Swallow your embarrassment, muster your courage, and give it a try.
In addition to the classic cross-dressing, it also seems good to become an anime character that suits hanami.
Handpan performance
Have you heard of the handpan? It’s a percussion instrument that can produce different pitches depending on where you strike it.
Its resonant sound has a strangely soothing quality, and many people get hooked on it.
Because the handpan doesn’t require electricity, you can play it outdoors—perfect for occasions like cherry-blossom viewing.
How about picking your favorite spring song and performing it?