Cherry blossom season in Japan

One of the most spectacular moments in Japan is the cherry blossom season, known in Japanese as “hanami.” Roughly translated, hanami (written in Japanese: はなみ) means “flower viewing” (from hana = flowers and mi = to see), and it is the traditional Japanese custom of celebrating and enjoying the beauty of flowers—especially cherry blossoms (sakura)—by admiring them as they bloom on beautiful spring days.

This tradition began centuries ago and is still experienced today by the Japanese (along with a whoooole lot of tourists and enthusiasts) with great enthusiasm.

The stars of the season are, of course, the cherry blossoms, called sakura. They are a symbol of the seasons, and of the fleeting nature of beauty and life!
Hanami is a spectacular event and takes place only in spring, so it’s important to know when to go to Japan to see the blossoms. We’ll cover that in this article!
 

When to see the cherry blossoms

The bloom happens every year at slightly different times, but it generally peaks in the last weeks of March and the first weeks of April, coinciding with the start of the school year and Japan’s fiscal year: a true period of “rebirth” in many aspects of daily life. It is such an important moment that TV channels broadcast hanami forecasts alongside the weather forecast. The Japanese really think of everything. 
 

Where to see cherry blossoms in Japan

In Tokyo, the bloom is traditionally celebrated in Ueno Onshi Park, home to thousands of young and ancient cherry trees. But the blossoms can also be admired at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, where one of the most beautiful hanami parties in Japan takes place! A quieter area to enjoy the spectacle of the flowers is around Mount Fuji.
In general, hanami can be enjoyed:

• In Kyoto, along the Philosopher’s Path, a lovely walkway lined with cherry trees.
• At Mount Yoshino, the historic place said to be the birthplace of all these trees. Today, around 30,000 cherry trees can be found here.
• In Tokyo itself, at Ueno Park and Yoyogi Park.
• In Takayama, where a festival also takes place every year.

Fun facts about hanami in Japan

Did you know that...

1) Hanami has a different name when celebrated at night: it becomes yozakura.

2) Sakura are not only at the heart of hanami, but are also used to make foods and drinks that become hugely popular throughout spring (though you can also find them at other times of the year): you can try sakura ice cream with petals and buds inside, sakura-flavored chips, all kinds of drinks including the Starbucks Sakura Frappuccino, Sakura Pepsi, and Red Bull Sakura—all cherry-flavored and pink in color.

3) Japan is also home to the oldest cherry tree in the world: the Miharu Takizakura. It is more than 1,000 years old and grows in Fukushima Prefecture. At the time of the tsunami, it became a powerful symbol of comfort and hope for the local population.

4) Even coins celebrate sakura: the 100-yen coin features a cherry blossom as its distinctive decoration, and the same flower also appears on military emblems and flags.

If visiting Japan during cherry blossom season has always been your dream, make it come true by setting off on a trip to Japan with us!