Hanami (花見) literally means “flower viewing,” but in Japan it represents much more than admiring trees in bloom. Every spring, as cherry blossoms open across the country, people gather in parks and along rivers to sit, eat, talk, and simply be present beneath the petals.

Hanami is joyful, social, and seasonal, but it is also rooted in a deep cultural understanding of time, impermanence, and renewal.

Hanami began during the Heian period (794–1185), when members of the imperial court gathered under flowering trees to compose poetry and reflect on nature. At first, these gatherings focused on plum blossoms (ume), which bloom earlier in the year.

Over time, cherry blossoms became the central symbol of spring. During the Edo period, hanami spread beyond the elite to samurai and ordinary people, turning into a nationwide tradition that still exists today.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem dolore, alias, numquam enim ab voluptate id quam harum ducimus cupiditate similique quisquam et deserunt, recusandae.

Hanami is not a ceremony but a shared seasonal moment. Activities vary, but usually include:

• Picnics under cherry trees with bento, snacks, tea, or sake

• Social gatherings with friends, families, or coworkers

• Yozakura, evening hanami with illuminated blossoms

• Photography, as peak bloom lasts only a few days

• Seasonal food such as sakura mochi and pink dango

The atmosphere is relaxed and cheerful, yet quietly reflective.

At its core, hanami reflects mono no aware (物の哀れ), the awareness that all things are temporary.

Cherry blossoms bloom briefly, then fall. Their beauty exists because it does not last. Hanami encourages people to slow down, to appreciate the present moment, and to accept change rather than resist it.

This philosophy explains why Japan’s school year and business year begin in April, aligned with cherry blossom season. Hanami marks both an ending and a beginning.

Tokyo

• Ueno Park: lively atmosphere with over 1,000 cherry trees

• Shinjuku Gyoen: spacious and calm with multiple bloom periods

• Chidorigafuchi: boat rides beneath blossoms near the Imperial Palace

• Meguro River: evening illuminations along the water

Kyoto

• Maruyama Park: famous for its large weeping cherry tree

• Philosopher’s Path: a quiet canal-side walk

• Kiyomizu-dera: temple views framed by blossoms

• Heian Shrine: gardens and reflections in water

Osaka

• Osaka Castle Park: historic setting surrounded by cherry trees

• Kema Sakuranomiya Park: long riverside path lined with blossoms

• Expo ’70 Park: wide open space with fewer crowds

Cherry blossom season usually runs from late March to early April, but dates vary each year depending on weather.

• Southern Japan blooms earlier

• Northern Japan, including Hokkaido, blooms later in April or May

Checking the annual sakura forecast helps plan hanami at the right moment.

Hanami is not about perfection or photography alone.
It is about presence, connection, and accepting the fleeting nature of life.

Sitting under cherry trees, watching petals fall, people are reminded that beauty exists in moments, not permanence.