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Japan is world-famous for its Cherry Blossom Festival – locally known as ‘Hanami Festival’. The festival is celebrated all over the country during the spring. Having said that, stay informed that the trees bloom at different times, so do not expect to see flowers blooming wherever you go. If you are planning a trip to Japan, here is all you need to know about Hanami Festival.

The Meaning of Hanami Festival

Hanami is the ancient tradition of enjoying the blooming of ‘sakura’ (cherry blossom) and ‘ome’ (plum blossom) in countryside parks. Sakura is the most popular kind of cherry tree grown all over Japan. In literal terms, Hanami means ‘viewing flowers’, but it typically refers to viewing cherry blossoms. The origin of the traditional festival dates back over a thousand years.

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Celebrating Hanami in Japan

People in Japan celebrate Hanami Festival by eating and drinking under the trees, thus making the blossom viewing tradition more like a picnic. They carry home-cooked food, barbequed food, or purchase take-out meals to mark the occasion. As thousands of people swamp the parks to secure a nice place for picnic and fun activities, the spots are often occupied early in the morning or booked in advance.

As sake is served throughout the day, the festivities turn more into revelry by the time the sun sets in. This is considered a good time to pour some drinks and say cheers in Japan. Elderly couples or people usually opt to visit the parks to view plum blossoms instead to avoid the crowd.

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The Symbolic Significance of the Cherry Blossom Festival

The fleeting cherry blossoms have become symbolic to the momentariness of beauty – the blooms last for about two weeks only. Cherry blossoms often feature in the arts, works and even tattoos depicting the concept ‘mono no aware’ in Japan – the regretful realization that nothing lasts forever.

Places to Visit in Japan during the Cherry Blossom festival

In Japan, the Cherry Blossom Festival takes place in different places at different times. In Okinawa, cherry blossoms typically bloom in January, while the blossoms reach their peak during the months of March and April in Honshu. Cherry blossoms are usually in full bloom in May in Japan’s Hokkaido region. In Kyoto and Tokyo, cherry blossoms are typically witnessed sometime between March and April, depending on the weather earlier that year. The festival often coincides with the Golden Week, which is the busiest time to travel to Japan. Nevertheless, predicting the exact date of cherry blossom is difficult. The Japan Weather Association along with the Weathernews Inc. and Weather Map Co. Ltd. announce forecast of cherry blossom every year in spring.

Cherry blossom festival is observed in different regions of the country. Mostly, the occasion takes place between the months of March and May. However, in some places of Japan, the festival is organized during June, February and January. The dates are determined with reference to forecasts of cherry blossom and are likely to vary every year.

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The Primary Japan Attractions

The key attractions of the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan are the gorgeous flowers and a variety of traditional performances organized during the time. Joining a tea ceremony under the cherry trees is one of the best things to do in Japan during the festivities – it is quite an unforgettable experience. It is also fun to buy regional goods, souvenirs, and authentic Japanese food from vendors during the Cherry Blossom Festival.

The best time to visit Japan to see the Cherry Blossom Festival is within a week of the trees blooming, which can be a pretty short window to travel. The key is to do your research and book your tickets or Japan tour packages beforehand to witness one of the grandest festivals celebrated in Japan. You can also check out our other international holiday packages and international honeymoon packages for a memorable holiday.

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