The cherry blossom trees are only in full bloom for around two weeks. This gives people a short window to celebrate hanami.
Otherwise known as cherry blossom viewing, it is an event not to be missed. It is based on a rich history of tradition and Japanese culture. As a visitor, you will want to enjoy hanami.
It also changes the landscapes too. Everywhere you look there are different hues of pink. You will want to take pictures of the sakura (cherry blossom).
In this article we shall take a look at what hanami is. Also, we tell you all you need to know about hanami as a complete beginner to the subject.
What Does Hanami Mean?
Hanami in literal terms means to view flowers. It is basically another way of saying ‘cherry blossom viewing’. However, all around Japan it is known as hanami.
It is something people have done for years in Japan. So much so it has become a tradition every spring. It is a time when people reflect on life – especially how short it is.
This is because the sakura blooms and falls in a short space of time.
Having gratitude and recognizing your own mortality during hanami is due to the Buddhist way of thinking (see also ‘10 Best Locations For Hanami‘). In fact, the Buddha’s birthday is during spring time.
It is celebrated on the 8th of April.
However, it is the Flower Festival during springtime when the Buddha is remembered.
Hanami is something a lot of Japanese people celebrate to welcome springtime. There are parties, gatherings, viewings and events. You will also find limited edition sakura themed food and drink too.
Head to any Starbucks during spring in Japan and you will find a sakura-based latte. It is usually bright pink too!
Is Hanami The Same As Umemi?
Hanami and umemi are two different events. Hanami is in reference to cherry blossom tree viewing (see also ‘Cherry Blossoms VS Cherry Trees For Hanami‘). Umemi on the other hand relates to plum trees.
This kind of celebration is more popular with the older generation in Japan. Plum trees, also known as ume, bloom earlier than cherry blossom trees.
It is also a much older kind of tradition compared to hanami too. It allows those who don’t want to be part of the big crowds to enjoy the arrival of spring elsewhere.
In fact, as you will learn, it was plum trees that were celebrated first. This moves us nicely onto the next question.
How Did Hanami Come About In Japan?
It is said that hanami may have first began in the 8th century. Rather than cherry blossoms, it was plum blossoms. Over time, people began to focus on pink cherry blossoms instead.
As we stated above, some of the elder population of Japan still celebrate plum blossoms.
Hanami itself is referenced within The Tale of Genji which was written all the way back in the 11th century. During the early days of Japan’s wealth of history, many people believed that trees had their own spirits.
Once the cherry blossom bloomed, people planted rice too. It is a tradition still held today. Agriculture used cherry blossoms as a signal of when things like rice were planted.
However, back in the day it was only the Imperial Court who held huge hanami feasts. This was often enjoyed with sake under sakura trees.
Cherry blossom itself has long been a metaphor for life too. It has been used by the likes of samurai and war veterans as a signal of unavoidable death. People reflect on their life today during hanami.
Eventually, everyone began celebrating hanami. This was helped when hundreds of cherry blossom trees were planted by shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune in the 18th century.
He did this to ensure that hanami would continue. Nowadays, people have picnics under the cherry blossom trees.
How Do People Celebrate Hanami?
Since the ‘shogun era’ of Japan, not much has changed in the way hanami is celebrated. People still spend time with family and friends under the sakura trees.
Often food and drink is shared among the cherry blossoms in a local park. Some people might even spend their time celebrating hanami into the early hours of the morning. This is referred to as yozakura.
Often paper lanterns are hung from the cherry trees too. It really is just a time to relax and soak up the atmosphere of the present day.
The only difference between today and yesteryear is that there are now forecasts for when the blooms may happen. This is because the period of bloom is short.
You can use local radio stations and TV news to know when the trees will be in bloom.
This allows people to plan their sakura viewing days.
Is There A Way To Celebrate Hanami Like A Local Rather Than A Tourist?
It is very easy to celebrate hanami like a local (see also ‘5 Cool Places To Celebrate Hanami In Sendai‘). As soon as you know there is cherry blossom, you need to act fast.
Popular places become filled up really quickly. It is common for a person to take tarp and place it down onto the ground to save space for the rest of the group.
You will want to head to the local supermarket and buy some picnic friendly food and drink. You can also create a cute bento box. If there is anything sakura related, then that could be fun to consume.
Visit the cherry blossom trees. Either sit with your waiting friend, or find a spot to make a picnic. Enjoy your picnic!
You could also experience it in the evening too. However, remember to wrap up warm. Japan can become quite chilly at night during spring.
One thing to keep in mind: you will want to pick where you celebrate hanami wisely. Some places become very busy. One example is Ueno Park in Tokyo.
There are over a thousand cherry blossom trees. However, it is also a top tourist spot.
For something different, you could travel to Kinosaki Onsen. It is famous for its hot springs. But it also has beautiful cherry blossoms too. The petals land into the onsens as well!
There is also Hiroshima. It is a place you will want to visit while in Japan anyway. Even so, it has lots of sakura at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
It gives this emotional place a strange feeling of hope. You can also visit the Hiroshima Castle which has more than 400 sakura trees to view.
Final Thoughts
Celebrating hanami is certainly something you need to tick off your bucket list. It only lasts around two weeks. This makes it a very special time indeed.
Hanami is steeped in wonderful rich history and lots of Japanese tradition. This makes it the perfect thing to celebrate as a tourist.
It should also be a time of reflection. After all, life is just as short as the bloom and fall of a petal.
Even so, gather friends and enjoy a picnic under a sakura tree. You will see everyone around you doing the same thing. Live in the moment and enjoy life.
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
