When the beautiful pink sakura or cherry blossoms cover Japan, there's only one thing to do: hanami, an age-old practice of viewing the stunning floral display. And since the sakura is only in full bloom for short periods of time, hanami is also a fitting reminder to appreciate the fleeting nature of life. In modern Japan, hanami mostly means having a ball under the sakura with all your fam and best mates!
Want to experience this beautiful tradition for yourself? This guide to all things hanami will give you the 411, along with a curated list of must-dos to discover how the Japanese celebrate it!
What is hanami?
Hanami celebrates moments of joy and beauty! Image credits to @heartpatrick on Instagram.
Hanami came from the words "hana" which means flower and "mi" which means viewing. It's such a beloved activity that you'll find it in Japanese history, art, and literature. It gets better with the sweet smell of holiday treats and the soft sound of a shamisen—a traditional Japanese instrument similar to a banjo—playing in the distance.
This all started when people enjoyed New Year's in the spring; the cherry blossoms started to bloom and signalled farmers that it was time to plant. People thought that these buds had a psychic link to the rice fields and wealth, so it wasn't just about flowers.
What began as a fancy activity for the rich turned into a national party under the cherry blossom trees, bringing people together to enjoy nature's passing beauty.
These days, Hanami is like a great yearly block party where everyone, no matter how busy they are, takes a moment to relax under the cherry blossoms. Putting out a blanket and enjoying the moment with family or friends is what it's all about. This practice has stuck around because it's a great way to slow down in our busy world and remember to enjoy the beauty around us and the people we share it with.
Also, it's cool to feel that connection to history that ties us to people who lived in the past. From the northern regions of Hokkaido to the southern isles of Okinawa, each part of Japan has its own cherry blossom festival, making hanami a nationwide celebration.
Interested to learn more about the Japanese culture? Check out this blog!
What are the rules for hanami?
When going to a sakura festival in Japan, it's best to know these basic rules to enjoy hanami parties respectfully.
1. Keep parks clean
Cherish the bloom and respect the earth by keeping the parks clean! Image credits to Abby Chung on Pexels.
Remember to check the park's regulations because not all hanami venues allow picnics! If you are planning to have a picnic at your chosen park, make sure not to leave any garbage behind. Let's keep the beauty of the grounds lined with sakura trees pristine for a better flower-viewing experience! Make sure to throw away all your trash in the proper bins or take it home with you.
2. Respect the sakura tree by not touching it
Witness the ethereal elegance of cherry blossoms from afar! Image credits to @visitjapanau on Instagram.
Since this festival is all about appreciating the flowers at their peak bloom, please refrain from touching, shaking, or breaking the branches of the sakura trees. These trees are actually quite fragile. Any damage to the sakura trees prevents the regrowth of their flowers. Visitors should also never attempt to remove the petals, cut off branches or twigs, carve their initials into the trunks, or otherwise touch the sakura tree.
3. Don’t be loud and respect other people
Cherish peace and the company of others. Image credits to Evgeny Tchebotarev on Pexels.
Sakura spots are public property, so please be considerate of other visitors in the park. Make sure to let other people have a memorable experience as well! And as much as we love some good ol' booze, drinking too much isn't recommended, as one possible cause for noisiness during cherry blossom viewing parties is alcohol.
Bonus: Don't forget to remove your shoes for hanami! Set them aside in your bags, or put them near your picnic table.
What is special about hanami?
Enjoy tasty treats under the pink canopy of cherry blossoms! Image credits to @thewanderingcam on Instagram
Hanami in Japan is a great way to enjoy the beauty of nature with friends and family before the cherry blossom season ends. People love hanami because it gives them a chance to take it easy, enjoy the little things in life, and make memories in beautiful places.
There are also heaps of unique things that you can't do just anywhere, like having lunch under the sakura trees. People are having relaxing picnics, playing music, and sometimes taking part in poem readings that were inspired by the scenery. Some people plan flower photography contests, outdoor games for kids, or even art projects with cherry blossoms as the theme.
What do you do during hanami?
Call your friends and have a picnic by the cherry blossom trees! Image credits to @tokyocreative.jp on Instagram.
There's a lot to do during hanami aside from picnics and checking out the flowers. Here's the lowdown on everything you can do during hanami:
- Keep an eye on the cherry blossom prediction to see when your local cherry trees will be in full bloom. This might change from year to year, so keep this in mind when planning for your hanami adventure!
- Pick an appropriate place for your hanami experience. Cherry trees are widespread in parks, gardens, and riverbanks, making these popular sites.
- Appreciate the blossoms and take a leisurely stroll across the region to truly experience their wonder. Take note of the many types and hues of blooms.
- Capture the moment with your camera or smartphone to immortalise the beauty of the cherry blossoms. And of course, take pics of the parks, yourself and your mates for the 'gram!
- Take part in traditional hanami activities, including Japanese tea ceremonies, traditional music performances, and cultural events that may be held in the neighbourhood.
- Respect the environment by properly disposing of your rubbish. Respect the natural environment and observe any regulations or guidelines established by the park or venue.
- Plan additional activities and extend your hanami experience by organizing additional activities, such as visiting neighbouring sights and local stores or sampling traditional Japanese food.
For more tips, check out his hanami guide.
Where to go for hanami
There are heaps of parks and sakura destinations, so to help you decide, here are the top picks of places to go for hanami!
1. Nara Park & Mt. Yoshino
Enjoy the beauty of Yoshinoyama's cherry trees! Image credits to @kyoko1903 on Instagram
In Nara Park and Mt. Yoshino, two of Japan's most famous places, you can enjoy the beauty of cherry blossom season. Nara Park is known for both its beautiful scenery and its friendly deer that walk freely, which makes watching sakura even more enjoyable. At the same time, over 30,000 pink and white cherry trees cascade down the slopes of Mt. Yoshino, which is known as one of Japan's best places to see cherry blossoms.
If you want to make your exploration of these areas easier, check out the Nara Park & Mt. Yoshino Sakura Sightseeing Day Tour! It includes a local professional tour guide who offers reliable service. No more worrying about finding your way around the city or dealing with public transport. They'll pick you up right at your hotel and drop you off where you need to be. Plus, every participant gets a free cherry blossom bell, a sweet little gift to remember the event by!
While you're in the area, you may consider the Nara Day Bus Tour! This is a great alternative if you want to book a bus tour instead of a sightseeing day tour.
2. Ashikaga Flower Park
Take the train and see the cherry blossoms around you! Image credits to @visitgunma on Instagram
The Ashikaga Flower Park is a floral paradise with a mesmerising flower tunnel that takes visitors on a trip they will never forget through its colourful landscapes. Here, you can also pick as many juicy, sweet strawberries as you want during a 30-minute strawberry-picking activity. And because the park has so many different kinds of plants, this spot is very Instagram-worthy. Don't forget to take pictures!
Getting to Ashikaga Flower Park is easy if you take the Watarase Valley Railway, where you get to see the beautiful views of Japan in the spring as well!
You can also opt to travel to the park on the Watarase Ashikaga Flower Park Trip! This is a tour that takes you to Takatsudokyo Gorge, Mizunuma Station, and the beautiful Ashikaga Flower Park. After your flower tour, the package includes a lunch of udon noodles and a delicious salmon rice bowl. This will make your experience wonderful for both your eyes and your stomach.
Note: The cherry blossoms bloom until mid-April. If you are planning to go on this trip to see the cherry blossoms, book this before that time!
3. Kawazuzakura Cherry Blossom River
See the sakura bloom along the Kawazu River! Image credits to @japanrailcafe on Instagram.
The Kawazuzakura Cherry Blossom River is one of the best places to do hanami in Kawazu Town. From early February to mid-March, this place is filled with bright pink Kawazu Sakura trees along the banks of the river. These cherry blossoms, which open early and are a bright pink colour, make a beautiful natural pathway along the river.
After enjoying the beauty of the Kawazuzakura flowers, there are nearby sites that add to the natural and cultural landscape of the area. You can take the One Day Bus Tour to Kawazu Town to visit places such as the two-star Michelin Shuzenji Temple and the Bamboo Forest Path. There are also hot springs at the Izu Shuzenji Takitei Hot Spring Hotel, which is the perfect way to unwind at the end of the day.
4. Tsubosakadera Temple and Mt. Yoshinosan
After strawberry picking, check out the Cherry Blossom Buddha at Tsubosaka Temple! Image credits @japan.undiscovered on Instagram.
Tsubosakadera Temple is a destination for those looking for peace and culture right in the middle of Nara. It's famous for its Cherry Blossom Buddha, a must-see for anyone who wants to learn more about Japan's holy history and the beautiful nature that surrounds it.
Every spring, cherry flowers cover the temple grounds, making them a peaceful place to think and pray. The temple also has a collection of huge stone Buddhas, some of which are from India.
Mt. Yoshinosan, famous as one of the best places in Japan to see cherry blossoms, which is close by. It has stunning views of the blossoms in full bloom.
If you want to add some sweetness to your trip, you can take the Strawberry Picking One Day Bus Tour in Nara! There's a 30-minute session of all-you-can-eat sweet strawberries, a beloved local treat. As a bonus, make a brief pit stop at Roadside Station Katsuragi for some local product shopping and souvenirs, and be sure to sample some delicious regional sweets along the way!
Now that you know what hanami is, it's time for you to go on your adventure the Japanese way! Invite your friends and family around the world to enjoy hanami in Japan and watch the cherry blossoms bloom.
Written By: Frances Tan
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