One of the biggest attractions of Japan for tourists is the season of cherry blossoms or sakura (桜・さくら). It has become almost another tourist attraction, which attracts millions of tourists every year. From south to north, the country is dyed pink and white colors. It’s undoubtedly the most waited season (despite allergies).
Surely you have seen millions of photos of beautiful places full of cherry blossoms in Japan, and you may have heard of the word hanami, one of the words that Japanese people use most in spring. But do you know what that word means and what is hanami?
What is the Hanami?
The word hanami (花見・はなみ) in Japanese is composed of the kanji “flower” (花) and “see/watch” (見), so the translation is quite simple: contemplate the flowers. Although the word refers more specifically to cherry blossoms.
If something characterizes the Japanese is that they really know how to enjoy small things and nature. They give a lot of importance to the ephemeral and to live every moment or season. For example, in October there is the momiji-gari that consists of going for a walk or excursion to enjoy the redness of the leaves and in spring there is the famous hanami. Momiji-gari is easier to enjoy because it lasts several weeks, but for example the hanami lasts only a few days since it’s done just at the moment when the cherry blossoms are at their maximum splendor, and these flowers tend to fall a few days later. But precisely because it lasts so short, because it’s ephemeral, it’s so beautiful.
Foreign tourists aren’t the only ones who are attracted to the cherry blossom season in Japan. In spring we can see the parks and gardens of Japan full of Japanese having a picnic, enjoying cherry blossoms with family, friends or co-workers. This is what is known as “go for hanami” or “do hanami”, not only to contemplate the flowers while you are on the way to work or school but to meet with your important people and enjoy a walk or picnic under the flowers.
It’s a scene that appears in many anime, manga or doramas. It’s also common for some people to end up drinking too much and play some funny scenes, although obviously they’re not all. You have to go very early in the morning if you want to get a good place, (especially if it’s done on the weekend) and people usually stay there until the afternoon, before it starts getting dark.
When to enjoy the Hanami?
As I explained above, unlike what happens with momiji, which appears slowly and stays for several weeks, cherry blossoms appear and disappear relatively quickly. In the previous map you can see the dates of when they begin to bloom, approximately. However, the best viewing time it is not until 5 -7 days after the first bloom, when the cherry blossoms reach their maximum splendor. The full blooming period can be enjoyed for about one week, depending on weather condition as rain.
But even knowing this, it’s difficult to accurately predict the best time to see cherry blossoms since the first bloom date depends on weather conditions around spring of the year. Also as you have seen in the previous maps, it depends a lot on what area you are in. Normally flowering begins from south to north of the country, unlike the momiji, which is from north to south. This means that in the southern zone the cherry blossoms begin to bloom before, usually for March, while in the northern zone they bloom towards May, being there the last place where you can find them.
We are updating cherry blossoms information every season. If you want to keep updating Japan’s spring information, please like and follow our Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/japanwirelesstokyo/ or save in favorites this article: Japan Cherry Blossom Forecast
For more info about when to enjoy cherry blossoms: Cherry Blossom Forecast in Japan: When is the Best Time to View Sakura
Where to enjoy the Hanami?
If cherry blossoms are so famous in Japan it’s partly because of the large number of places throughout the country where you can enjoy this beautiful beautiful spectacle of nature. Some of the places are truly beautiful and leave you breathless. Unfortunately, many of the best sites are far from the main tourist cities or a car is needed to access. On our website you can find many articles with several of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Japan. However, in this article I’m going to focus only on Tokyo and Kyoto, since they are the two main tourist cities and in a short trip probably you don’t have time to go far places. But don’t worry, Tokyo and Kyoto have also really beautiful places so you can enjoy the main tourist spots and the cherry blossom viewing at the same time!
I have to save this for the future. I hope to go to Japan one day.