The first event, the Sakura Festival, was held on April 7, 2024 at the site of the former Hatano Elementary School in Hatano-cho, Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture, which closed in March. Under the cherry blossoms in full bloom, parents and children and elderly people were all smiling.
It was planned by about 30 members of the "Hatano Project" created by the Hatano Town Neighborhood Association.
The schoolyard had karaoke and a corner where children could touch chicks and turtles, and was crowded with about 200 people, including parents and children. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and residents from nearby areas enjoyed cherry blossom viewing to their heart's content.
Minoru Hotta (71), chairman of the Hatano Town Neighborhood Association, said, ''I hope that everyone will take this opportunity to think about what the school site should be like.''
A 45-year-old office worker who lives near Hatano Elementary School and visited with his children welcomed the event, saying, ''It's cherry blossom viewing season, so it was a nice place to spend time with the neighbors.'' He added, ''There aren't any big parks in the town, so I'm going to use it in the future.'' I would like to see schools open up more," he said, expressing his hopes.
