I love hanami, it's one of my favorite times of year. I spent one year in Singapore 2006 - 2007 and one of the things I missed the most was the seasons a sense that time is passing - I love that about the cherry blossoms.
One of my favorite places is just down the road from my house. It's nothing special, not a park or big area, it's actually right on the street. There is a raised pavement that runs down the middle of the road for pedestrians and both sides of the pavement have cherry trees all along. There's plenty of benches so you can sit down and relax in comfort. The best bit - there is an elderly couple who live here and when the blossom is in bloom, they have some lights that they put up to highlight the blossoms and they play shamisen traditional Japanese music until late evening.
Nobody minds and lots of locals stop to gaze and ponder for a while.
Another favorite is Naka Meguro along the river although this one is usually very crowded.
We've got to get the plum blossom first before the cherry blossom comes into play. Aahhhh I am looking forward to it
