Hanami is the Japanese way of celebrating the sakura season! It’s a cherished Japanese tradition where people gather together to appreciate the blooming sakura flowers.
Of course, there’s a lot more to hanami than just friends and family getting together under floating sakura blossoms. Gather your favorite sakura-flavored Japanese snacks in your picnic basket because we’re going on a trip to learn more about the spring fling, hanami!
What Is Hanami in Japan?
In Japan, hanami is a traditional custom where people enjoy the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms together with friends, family, coworkers, or their special someone. Imagine this kind of scene: it’s the start of spring in Japan and you're lounging under a canopy of cherry blossoms. You have sakura snacks in one hand, camera in the other, and you’re surrounded by laughter while dainty pink petals flutter all around you. Welcome to hanami!
What Does Hanami Mean?
In Japanese, hanami (花見) literally means "flower viewing." The first part of the word actually comes from hana (花), which means flower in English. Hanami is synonymous to sakura flower-viewing parties where people get together and have picnics underneath sakura trees. During these parties, people look at the gentle pink sakura flowers, eat Japanese snacks, reconnect with each other, and take in the atmosphere of spring!
What Does Hanami Symbolize?
Well, hanami is less of a symbol and more of an action or an event. Think of it like a hanami festival. But if we were to try to give it a symbolic meaning, hanami would be the celebration of youth, hope, and new beginnings. After all, hanami is the celebration of the delicate sakura flower!
What Is the Difference Between Hanami and Sakura?
Hanami and sakura may go hand in hand together, but they’re entirely different things. Sakura is the cherry blossom that’s cherished so well in Japanese culture. Hanami, on the other hand, is the viewing of sakura flowers. It’s a celebration that involves food, drinks, and get-togethers with family, friends, and workmates underneath a pink canopy of petals.
Why Do People Celebrate Hanami?
You see, sakura flowers play a big part in Japanese culture, history, and philosophy. In Japan, sakura flowers are a symbol of youth and beauty. They can be found in Japanese art, music, and literature. There are many different sakura legends in Japan, some which involve beautiful daughters, others which involve kind wet nurses, and others yet which involve lonely samurai.
Elegant and delicate, sakura blossoms last only a few weeks. Because of its beautiful but short-lived life, the sakura flower is also considered the embodiment of the Japanese wasabi sabi philosophy (the appreciation of ephemeral beauty that’s doomed to disappear from the world).
These are some of the reasons why Japanese people always take the time to celebrate hanami! Not only is it a way to welcome the beginning of spring, but it also allows the Japanese to take part in their cultural heritage. If you’d like to read more about the sakura blossom and the delicate power it holds in Japan, you can check out our in-depth sakura blog!
Why Do Japanese People Like Hanami?
Well, what’s not to like about hanami? There are cherry blossoms, snacks, drinks, and laughter as people get together to enjoy the transient beauty of spring. Hanami is more than a celebration of sakura season - it’s a celebration of youthfulness, hope, and new life. This grand sakura viewing party is a way for everyone to reconnect with nature and unwind!
When Is Hanami?
This flowery Japanese tradition is always held during the sakura season in Japan. Sakura season depends on the type of sakura trees in the area. Most parts of the country, including Tokyo, have Somei-yoshino sakura trees that bloom from March to April. Other parts, like Okinawa, have the Kanhi Zakura variety of ornamental cherry trees that bloom from mid-January to February.
Did you know that Japan actually has a sakura blossom forecast called the sakura-zensen? It’s announced every year by the Japan Meteorological Agency! People who take part in hanami rely on the sakura-zensen to make plans with their loved ones as the blossoms only last for a week or two. This yearly forecast is important because the dates of the blossoming season also depend on the variety of the cherry trees and the place.
What Time Is Hanami?
Most of the time, Japanese people have hanami during the day, where they can fully see the sakura blossoms in the sunlight. They gather together in sakura parks, lay out blankets, and share their sakura snacks while chatting with each other. It’s a leisurely pastime where people get to reconnect with nature and with each other.
But did you know that sakura blossoms are just as beautiful at night, with beautiful lights to illuminate them? There’s also hanami at night, and it is called yozakura (夜桜). Unlike hanami during the day, it has a more romantic atmosphere. That’s why most couples would prefer having a yozakura than a hanami.
There are many parks in Japan that put up special lights among sakura trees so people can celebrate hanami during the evenings. Some of the famous yozakura spots include the Maruyama park, the Okazaki Canal, the Kyoto Botanical Garden, the Philosopher’s Path, and Arashiyama. There’s just something special about seeing pale pink lights illuminate fluttering sakura petals at night!
Where Is Hanami Celebrated?
Hanami is celebrated all throughout Japan! In the land of the rising sun, you can have your sakura-viewing parties wherever you can find places with sakura trees. Some of the most popular parks for hanami in Tokyo include Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Imperial Palace East Gardens, and Sumida Park.
Interestingly enough, hanami isn't just celebrated in Japan. There are sakura-viewing parties in many other different countries around the world. That includes places like Taiwan, Korea, the Philippines, China, Canada, and several European countries like Finland and Italy.
The US also has multiple versions of hanami. There's the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC which includes a grand parade. In Macon, Georgia, the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World, people celebrate the International Cherry Blossom Festival. Brooklyn, New York also has its own Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden.
Hanami vs. Umemi
While hanami has become synonymous with sakura viewing, in ancient times in Japan, people used to have their parties during the plum blossom season instead. This is called umemi (梅見) or plum viewing. Like the sakura, ume flowers have an important part in Japanese tradition and history as they’re always seen in art and poetry.
Umemi still exists today, though it’s not as popular as hanami. It’s usually held a few weeks before the sakura season when the plum flowers begin to bloom. Older people enjoy umemi more because they’re much calmer than sakura parties, which are usually very crowded and noisy.
The History of Hanami
Did you know that the practice of hanami is actually centuries old? It started when Japanese peasants began making offerings at the foot of cherry trees. Back then, people believed that kami (spiritual deities) rested inside trees. Since sakura trees would bloom at the start of spring, Japanese peasants would use them to divine the year's harvest by offering sake and food to the kami hiding inside them.
During the 8th century under the Nara era (710-794) in Japan, people started practicing flower-viewing after they were influenced by the Chinese, who enjoyed poetry and wine underneath plum trees. Umemi was born at the time, a practice replicated by Japanese elites in the cities.
By the time the Heian period (794 -1185) kicked in, sakura trees started attracting more attention than the plum blossom. They became so popular that “hana” or flowers became synonymous with sakura blossoms in haiku and waka poetry. Modeling after the practice of umemi, the Japanese began celebrating hanami in the spring. The first use of the word “hanami” can actually be found in the Heian-era novel, The Tale of Genji!
How to Enjoy Hanami
While the simplest version of hanami is a stroll underneath sakura trees, we suggest you take some time to have a picnic with friends in the park. Gather your besties, pack up your favorite sakura-flavored Japanese treats, lay out your picnic blanket, and enjoy your time under the pink canopy! Make sure that you don’t forget to bring some sakura-flavored drinks so you can toast to the coming of spring.
Reminders for Hanami
As festive as hanami might be, we shouldn’t forget to respect local rules. Different parks have different rules in Japan. Some parks allow barbecuing with friends, others don’t permit it. Some parks prohibit alcoholic beverages during the picnics. Other parks have curfews in the evening.
The most basic rule to follow during sakura season is to treat all of the trees carefully. These trees are cherished in Japan, so you’re not allowed to pull or shake the branches. Climbing the trees and standing on the trees’ roots is also strongly prohibited. Most importantly, do not pick blossoms from the trees! Take the petals that have fallen to the ground instead. It’s against the law to pluck sakura flowers from the trees in Japan!
What Do You Eat at a Hanami?
Though you can eat anything you like while enjoying sakura flowers, most Japanese people eat sakura-themed snacks and pack along special bento boxes for their hanami picnics. A hanami bento is essential for any flower-viewing party in Japan and they normally consist of food prepared to represent the bounty of spring. It usually brims with seasonal Japanese food like sakura onigiri and narizushi that's colored with pink, orange, and red. While most Japanese people make their own hanami bento at home, you can also get them in the market for your party!
If you and you’re friends would rather have a light treat during your hanami, then you can also go for traditional sakura snacks. One of the most popular treats is the hanami dango, the iconic tri-color dumpling ball skewer that's made with sweetened rice flour. Other popular sakura snack choices are sakura mochi, sakura onigiri, sakura cookies, and sakura milk pudding.
To celebrate the coming of spring, Japanese snack companies and fast food franchises also come up with sakura treats. Some of the most popular ones are the sakura-flavored Kit Kat chocolates from Japan, sakura Pocky sticks, and Japanese Starbucks sakura frappes and drinks. Mister Donuts also has its own line of sakura donuts too!
How to Make Hanami Dango
So, you’re thinking of making some hanami dango for your picnic. Well, lucky you, hanami dango isn’t all that hard to make. All you need is glutinous rice flower, silken tofu, white sugar, and powders to add color to your dumplings. Most people use matcha powder for the green dumplings. For the pink one they use strawberry or sakura powder.
There are a whole lot of hanami dango recipes you can find online to follow. You can also check out instructional videos on how to make them! We promise it’ll be super fun and easy to make. It really adds to the sakura experience!
Hanami Essentials
When it comes to hanami, picnic baskets and picnic blankets are a must. Though design shouldn’t really be a big deal, it’s always nice when you have picnic items that match the pink season. Don’t forget to bring along kawaii sakura bento boxes, chopsticks, drinkware, and some extra cushions to add to your comfort!
Since everyone wants to celebrate hanami, some parks end up being packed during the day. A common Japanese trick is to go really early to the park to get a good spot! Companies also send out one or two employees to reserve a spot in the park so everyone else can later. Once the spot is reserved, people use markers so their friends can find the place!
Plushies are common markers during sakura season. A big sakura plushie would certainly be useful as a marker for you and your buddies! Lots of kawaii Japanese companies release limited-edition plushies that are especially made for the sakura season. You can bring a sakura-themed Pompompurin, Hello Kitty, or Pochacco plushie on your hanami picnic!
Want to bring the magic of hanami to your home? Kawaii Box brings you cherry blossom-themed goodies like sakura plushies, floral stationery, and delicious Japanese treats—all shipped straight from Tokyo!
What to Wear During Hanami
The sakura season is a highly-anticipated occasion in Japan that people love dressing up for. Some people dress up in sakura kimonos and yukatas. If you don’t have any for your hanami, don’t worry - there are plenty of shops in Japan that rent them during the sakura season.
Dressing up in regular clothes during your hanami is fine too! You can pick out your favorite kawaii blouse and skirt to match the pink flowers. Though you need to add layers to your clothes to battle the chilly air that comes with the start of spring, you can always find fun ways to kawaii-fy your outfit!
Hanami with Your Furry Friends
Hanami isn’t just for people, it’s for our furry friends too! A lot of Japanese people bring along their dogs and cats to the park to enjoy the sakura flowers and have some treats. It isn’t uncommon to see fun photoshoots with pets among the sakura trees.
Honestly, hanami is a pretty happy time for everyone! If you’d like to have a picture with a cute Shiba Inu talking a walk at a sakura park during hanami, you can always politely ask their owner!
How to Enjoy Hanami if You Have Seasonal Allergies
Hanami might be centered all around the sakura blossoms, but that doesn’t mean that people with seasonal allergies can’t enjoy it. A lot of Japanese establishments also host special pop-up events to celebrate the sakura season.
That includes the “Full Bloom!! Unko Sakura” event at Tokyo’s Unko Museum. Translating to “poop museum” in English, the Unko Museum is hosting a special sakura event from March 14-April 14 2024 with sakura-themed projection mapping displays, poop sponges erupting from the iconic Unko volcano, and a slew of poopy sakura-themed decor.
Another great place to visit if you’re allergic to flowers is the Art Aquarium Museum Ginza in Tokyo. It has a special “Extreme Sakura - Sakura Special Exhibition” featuring artificial sakura art installations with live goldfish! It’s as if the goldfish are swimming in a sea of sakura blossoms.
So there you have it! That's everything about hanami, Japan’s favorite spring season pastime. A celebration of spring time, sakura blossoms, and youth, hanami is certainly a wonderful experience for everyone to enjoy.
Now that we’ve spent an afternoon among the sakura flowers learning all about the celebration of hanami, we’d like to hear from you. Have you ever tried hanami? What’s your favorite part about the celebration? What hanami snack would you like to try the most? Chat with us in the comment section below!
