Entertainments and performances to liven up cherry-blossom viewing: spring mini games

Hige Dance

Hayashi Ensemble of May, Heisei 29 - Cherry Blossom Viewing Entertainment (April 8, 2017)

The Hige Dance caused a huge boom among both children and adults in the 1980s.

Kato Cha and Ken Shimura performed without speaking, showcasing vaudeville-like tricks while dancing to music—their comedy and the satisfying, laugh-inducing routines were a joy to watch.

The Hige Dance, which brightens people’s moods and brings fun, is a perfect sideshow for occasions like cherry-blossom viewing parties! It’s a hit whether it’s an adults-only hanami or one with children.

Liven things up with the easy-to-understand and entertaining Hige Dance!

Impersonation

I tried doing 50 classic voice impressions in a row

Impersonations are a must for party entertainment and a staple of banquet acts.

Aim to capture the traits of people everyone there knows and deliver a high-quality recreation.

You could try a full-fledged impression that includes the outfits and movements of celebrities you often see on TV, or focus on voice-based impersonations that can be just as exciting.

If you pick someone from among the participants to impersonate, it’s easy for everyone to understand, but the person might get upset—so choosing the right subject is an important point.

Russian roulette

Nogizaka46 × HIKAKIN × Hajime Syacho do Russian Cream Puffs!

It’s a simple game where there’s just one item among a set of identical-looking foods that tastes drastically different.

The fun comes from seeing how the unlucky person reacts when they pick the odd one out.

You can use store-bought items, or make your own by adding seasonings—both sound enjoyable.

The classic twist is to make one item extra spicy or sour, but don’t overdo it, as it could affect health; striking the right balance is important.

Since the game combines the selection phase with a built-in forfeit, one of its biggest appeals is how easy it is to prepare.

one-shot gag

[One-Shot Gags] 10 One-Shot Gags You Can Use at Parties

If each person has a go-to one-shot gag, you can go about life with peace of mind, right? When you get put on the spot—especially at things like cherry-blossom viewing parties—it really pays to have something prepared in advance.

You’ve probably also had moments where you thought, “If only I’d had a clever little trick up my sleeve then.” Whether you have one already or not, it’s a good idea to keep a one-shot gag that suits you at the ready!

karaoke

Cherry-blossom viewing and karaoke with the ward head at the community center

Songs with cherry blossoms—there’s something truly evocative about that combination, isn’t there? Karaoke livens up any setting, and even without an outlet, a battery-powered karaoke machine can set the mood.

Singing with a slight buzz can feel great, too, so by all means, give it a try with some cherry blossom-themed tunes!

singing with self-accompaniment

Spitz / Spring Song, solo performance (Rin, 13 years old)

Even without electricity or a karaoke machine, you can enjoy music anywhere with just an acoustic guitar.

Take a look at a chord book or chord progression website and have fun singing your favorite songs! Singing outdoors with live accompaniment will make for a wonderfully pleasant time!

lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE

Rhythm Jump Rope “Lilac”

Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s “Lilac” is a perfect fit for rhythm jump rope.

During the chorus, when doing two-beat jumps, it’s easy to look down and lose your posture, so try to keep your gaze forward and jump while feeling the rhythm.

The challenge section is the main highlight of rhythm jump rope! Incorporate double unders, focus on spinning the rope quickly and jumping high, and give it your best.

If you’re up for it, adding moves like backward double unders or the Hayabusa is also recommended.