Every single spring in Japan, people wait for the cherry blossom trees to bloom. Much like a weather forecast, you can check when the cherry blossom trees are blooming.
From when the cherry blossoms are starting, to which area of Japan they are in. As soon as the first pink petals bloom, hanami season begins.
The start of hanami season means the locals all visit their nearest park to drink and eat in groups (read here for advice on manners during Hanami). Every single person is hoping to find the best place to sit.
It isn’t uncommon for people to be lying on tarps before 8am. This makes sure that they have secured their spot for later.
Eating and drinking under the canopy of sakura petals is what a hanami party is all about. Spending it with both family and friends, taking in the moment.
Some may even spend it with colleagues. Sake is welcomed. No matter what though, it is about relaxing.
If you are wanting to plan your own hanami party, then look no further (see also ‘What Is Hanami‘) . Here we explain all you need to know about hosting your own hanami party.
First Things First: What To Bring To A Hanami Party
If you are planning a hanami picnic party, then there are a few things you need to know. One of those is what to bring with you.
Most people do not just sit on the grass and view the trees. Instead, you will need a tarp (leisure sheet) or a picnic blanket. Some people even use a low foldable table.
You may also want to take pillows to sit on. For anything you do not have, check out the 100-yen store or Daiso. Even Don Quijote or Family Mart may have something to hand.
You will also need bowls, cups, plates and chopsticks. Make sure they are either plastic or disposable. You can also go for bamboo, metal and wood for non-disposable.
Think about taking an extra coat, a garbage bag, wet wipes, a power bank, and hats. Also hand sanitizer and paper towels. Anything to remove garbage and to keep warm.
Also, do not forget about the food and drink. We shall move on to that next.
Best Food And Drink Suitable For A Hanami Party
A hanami party is all about sharing food and drinks. It doesn’t matter if you create it yourself or buy it from a supermarket.
Cute bento boxes and sharing platters are welcome. But then so are pre-packaged chips and sandwiches. However, you will want to make sure there is enough for everyone.
The best type of food is the kind you share. Here are some ideas:
Hanami Bento
A bento is a popular way to eat food in Japan. It is similar to a packed lunch box. You can make your own, or find one premade at the supermarket.
Often people create a hanami bento. This contains:
Inarizushi (rice with sushi that is placed into fried tofu).
Makizushi (sushi rolls).
Kamaboko (pink and white colored fishcakes)
Tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet)
Onigiri
Another food that people love to eat is onigiri. This popular Japanese food is commonplace at a hanami party. It features a number of ingredients depending on your preference.
From pickled plum (ume), tuna, salmon and mayonnaise. Often salted sakura is added to add a floral bite to the rice.
It is also really easy to transport to the park too.
Miso Soup
If the weather is colder than expected, hot miso soup will warm you up. It can be placed into a thermos. Once needed, you can share it out into small bowls.
It can then act as a delicious and filling drink. Or a simple side with some chopsticks.
Salads And Tsukemono
You will want to add pickled veggies and salad alongside your other dishes. Some of these include:
Hijiki (lotus root and seaweed)
Shiro-ae (Mashed tofu with salad and veggies)
Tsukemono (pickled veggies)
Kinpira gobo (burdock root and braised carrot salad)
Wagashi (Traditional Japanese Sweet)
To follow savory food, you need something sweet. Traditionally wagashi is eaten.
One is a sakura mochi. It is a rice cake (mochi) filled with a delicious red bean paste. It is all then wrapped in a salted sakura leaf.
Another thing people eat during this event is a hanami dango. They are three dumplings which have been made using rice flour.
Usually in the colors pink, white, and green, they are placed onto a stick.
You can also eat chopped fruit too such as kiwi, oranges or strawberries. Adding condensed milk over them makes them even tastier.
Beverages
Lastly, you will need to think about beverages. No doubt you will be spending a while under the cherry blossom trees. This means you will need hydrating. But you can also drink for enjoyment too.
For example, beer and sake. Traditionally people drank sake during hanami. However, not everybody likes it.
You may also find that things get louder when alcohol is involved. If you want a quiet get together, have something non-alcoholic instead.
Even so, there are plenty of pretty beer and sake bottles around this time.
You could also create a chuhai, which is a Japanese cocktail. It includes fruit juice and a distilled spirit (similar to something like vodka) called shochu.
It is very refreshing, even on a cold evening.
Hanami doesn’t just mean alcohol though. You can enjoy an iced tea, a hot tea, or even a soft drink like a soda. It is up to you what you take with you. Variety is always the best option!
Do Be Mindful Of Your Surroundings During Hanami
Hanami is such a beautiful time. Because of this, you will want to be respectful of your surroundings. This means taking all your garbage away with you. Do not leave it for somebody else to clean up.
Make sure to remove your shoes when on the tarp or picnic blanket. You should treat it the same as being in a house. Leave the shoes on the outside of the blanket. Do bring extra socks to keep warm!
Make sure to respect the cherry blossom trees. They are not there to be picked at or climbed. Instead, just admire them from afar.
Also, do check ahead of time to make sure that particular park allows picnics. It is also a good idea to check if they allow drinking alcohol too.
Final Thoughts
Hanami is a unique experience to Japan. If you get a chance to visit Japan in springtime, make sure it is during hanami season.
It is fun to sit with friends under the swaying sakura branches. The light pink petals dot through the sky as they fall. It is both beautiful and amazing at the same time.
If you are planning a party, then just make sure you read the above. From what utensils to take, to food and blankets. So long as you remember the key items, you will enjoy hanami.
Just remember to respect your surroundings. Also to respect the Japanese culture too. Take your garbage away with you. And don’t climb or break the trees.
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!
