Hanami is one of the most anticipated events in Japan, both by Japanese people and by tourists visiting the country in Spring. It consists of a festival for contemplating flowers, mainly the cherry blossoms Sakura.
What is Hanami?
Hanami is a traditional Japanese custom of appreciating the arrival of spring, mainly by observing cherry blossoms. It is also held for plum and peach flowers. Its sub-name is Kanou [観桜].
Hanami [花見] literally means “Viewing Flowers” and is one of the simplest and most popular events that takes place in Japan every year. Hanami is a Japanese custom of appreciating and contemplating the beauty of flowers.
It occurs when the sakuras (cherry trees), ume, and other trees begin to bloom and blossom. This event mainly takes place in spring between March and May with the blooming of cherry blossoms (sakura), which is one of the greatest symbols of Japan.
It is traditional not only to look at the flowers alone but also to hold a banquet for a large number of people to enjoy lunch and sake under the cherry blossoms.
The Hanami liquor, which is drunk while looking at the flowers, is very fashionable. In Yin-Yodo, it is interpreted that the shadow of the cherry blossoms and the sun of the banquets are combined. There are more than 300 species of cherry trees and thousands of other flowering trees to enjoy during the festival and other times of the year.
Hanami is not the only event for observing things. In Japan, there is the word Tsukimi [月見] which literally means “moon viewing,” and these are Japanese festivals in honor of the autumn moon.
Where to enjoy Hanami?
Where can you enjoy the flowers in Japan? Anywhere, in temples, parks, gardens, on the street, and in other recreational areas, you will find the beautiful sakuras blooming.
There are specific places where a large number of people gather to enjoy the flowers, having picnics under the trees. Castles and their surroundings are also great options to appreciate the cherry blossoms. We have, for example, the Osaka Castle, Himeji, Nijo-jo, Tsuruga, Hirosaki, and Nagoya.
Some vendors take advantage of this opportunity to set up their stalls, so the Japanese can enjoy and buy various street foods, and some items that can only be found at festivals.
In Japan, the meaning of flowers differs from the West and even has its own definition and language. We recommend reading our article on Hanakotoba and the meaning of flowers.
Regional Differences in Blooming
The cherry blossoms have different blooming times, depending on the type and location planted. The expected blooming dates of the cherry blossom in each region are announced by each weather company from February to April each year.
The line that connects the regions expected to bloom on the same day is called the cherry blossom front. This front is based on specimens of Yoshino cherry trees (clones) in various places, so the blooming time varies according to the weather and topography.
However, some cherry trees like Hokkaido Yoshino are used in southern Hokkaido and Sapporo, but in other areas where they do not grow, Ezoyama cherry trees are used, and in Nemuro, where blooming is slow, Chishima cherry trees are used.
On the other hand, in Okinawa, where blooming is early, Kanhizakura is used as the sample tree. Due to differences in latitude, climate, and variety, the blooming time in Japan is long, from January to May. For more information, read our article about Sakura.
How to Enjoy Hanami?
Hanami can be considered a matsuri as it involves gathering among people, plenty of food, drink, and music. In certain places, the party often lasts until night, and hanami at night is called yozakura [夜桜], which means “night sakura”.
In many places such as Ueno Park, paper lanterns are raised for these yozakura. Some locations like parks and temples can get crowded, and it is necessary to make a reservation well in advance.
One of the main foods consumed is the classic obento and the large sweet “Dango“. Even that proverb “dumplings instead of flowers” (花より団子 hana yori dango) pokes fun at people who prefer to eat and drink instead of admiring the sakura. It is also the name of a dorama that I highly recommend.
Hanami is an event of utmost importance as it lasts only from a week to 10 days. Therefore, during Hanami, the Japanese arrive in the morning and usually stay all day to enjoy the beauty of the flowers. After such an event, the petals fall to the ground forming a large colorful carpet.
Rules and Etiquette at Hanami
You should not just arrive at the location and do as you please; there are rules for contemplating cherry blossoms, rules that are also applied in the daily life of every Japanese, so they are easy and simple for them to follow.
Depending on the weather, you can buy some things to help warm your feet and other places like kairo. Don’t forget to bring a picnic tarp that can be purchased at any hyakuen store.
Do not pick the flowers – Do not go picking flowers from the trees like a child; this is disrespectful and a great offense. If you want to pick a Sakura flower, take the ones that fall on the ground.
Remove your shoes – Do not think about stepping on the picnic tarp with shoes; bring socks to feel more comfortable, but do not dirty the things.
Separate your trash – As usual, you should not leave trash at the location. Separate, store, and take your trash home. Japan does not usually have trash cans scattered, so prepare a well-sealed container.
No noise or loudness – This festival is a time to appreciate and talk with friends, take off your headphones and don’t even think about bringing speakers to disturb others; Japan is not Brazil.
History of Hanami
The practice of hanami has been done for many centuries. It is said that the custom began during the Nara period (710 – 794) with the blooming of ume, which people admired more at the beginning. There came a time when Sakura gained more importance, even becoming a compliment for women.
In the Heian period (794 – 1185), sakura began to attract more attention than Ume (plum), starting with haikai poems. Over time, with some mentions in history, hanami became one of the most important events of the year.
The first official event was held by Emperor Saga in 812, considered the first cherry blossom viewing party. The event took place at the Jishu Shrine, currently part of the Kiyomizu Temple complex.
The custom was originally limited to the elite of the Imperial Court, but soon spread to the samurai society and, during the Edo period, also to common people. Tokugawa Yoshimune planted areas of cherry trees to encourage this. Under the sakura trees, people would have lunch and drink sake at joyful parties.
Hanami also had a religious symbolism. People believed in the existence of gods within the trees and made offerings at the roots of the Sakura trees to help ensure good harvests.
Sakura is also considered a symbol of love; in the past, young women would adorn their hair with a branch of sakura or decorate their yards with the flowers to show that they were in search of love. Sakura, like roses, has its romantic effects.
Today, the flower has gained a special place in Japanese culture; people from all over the world hold this event, even outside Japan. It is currently depicted in anime, doramas, stories, and is represented in arts such as ikebana, kimono, and origami.
Hanami Videos
Indeed, the flowers in Japan are beautiful and have great significance in their culture! To conclude the article, we will leave some videos for you to see the beauty of the flowers and a bit of what happens during hanami.
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