Cherry Blossom Viewing (Hanami)

City : Any City

Late March and early April herald the start of spring and, with it, the annual cherry blossom craze. Known as 'Sakura' (桜), the flowering of cherry trees up and down the country is a national event and receives acres of media coverage, as forecasters chart the progress of the budding blooms. All over Japan people gather to enjoy 'Hanami' (blossom viewing) parties under the boughs; parties that provide an opportunity to enjoy the spring sunshine and allow travelers to see the Japanese at their most uninhibited.

Japan Meteorological Agency announces the prediction of cherry blossom blooming dates each year in early March. In 2009, the first forcast was issued on March 4 and supposed to update every week. http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/Tourists/indexe_tourists.html

A Hanami party is a fun experience and is similar in nature to a picnic; tarpaulins are spread out under trees and revelers get together to drink sake or beer and to socialize. They can be boisterous affairs, with much singing and partying often lasting well into the night. Competition for spots is fierce and in some parks vendors set up stalls selling traditional Japanese foods and drinks.

The blossoms bloom in a geographical front all across Japan. In Kansai the season usually peaks around mid April but can change by plus or minus a couple of weeks, depending on weather conditions. You should look for signs or posters outside stations which often operate a star system to indicate conditions at local hotspots.