Hanami Matsuri: the cherry blossom festival

Japan is known for its manga, its cuisine and its famous sumos, but it’s also the cherry blossoms that attract thousands of visitors every year. Celebrated throughout Japan and particularly in Tokyo, the blossoming of the Japanese cherry trees is a veritable social ritual here. Not only does it attract visitors who come to admire these magnificent trees take on their beautiful spring colour, but it is also an opportunity for the Japanese to get together to celebrate.

What is Hanami?

Hanami is the name of the festival that celebrates the blossoming of cherry trees in Japan. There are over 600 different varieties, spread across the country and throughout Tokyo. Many events are organised in the streets to mark the occasion.

Hanami originated in the 9th century, when cherry trees became the symbol of Japan. They were cultivated more and more, and their magnificent blossom every spring began to arouse the admiration of the local people, who saw in these majestic trees a symbol of fragility, since it is ephemeral, but also of beauty and renewal. They also herald the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

Hanami literally means “to observe the flowers” in Japanese, and is now associated with cherry blossom, known in Japan as “sakura”. These trees flower very quickly – between the end of March and the beginning of April – but they are truly magnificent: they are filled with flowers of a superb pink, very characteristic of the country. You can see them everywhere in Tokyo, and it’s a truly unique experience.

What are the festivities all about?

This is a very old celebration, dating back to the Heian period, in the 9th century to be precise. Even back then, people marvelled at the emergence of all these flowers, which only stayed for a few days and would return the following year, and the year after that. It was decided to celebrate this phenomenon every year by sitting under the branches of the cherry blossom trees and sharing a magical moment with friends and family, often including a meal and/or a glass of sake. It’s a chance for the Japanese to get together and celebrate one of their country’s greatest symbols.

During this special period in Japan, thousands of visitors join the locals to discover these marvellous trees. Every year, forecasts are made of the peak flowering date so that visitors can plan to be there on the day. Stalls are set up all over the town selling food and drink.

Note that the dates are never the same from one year to the next, as they depend on the cherry blossom season.

The 10 best places to admire cherry blossom in Tokyo

1- Ueno Park

2- Sumida Park

3- Shinjuku Gyoen Park

4- The quays of Meguro-Gawa

5- Chidori-gafuchi path

6- Edogawa Park

7- Nakameguro district

8- Rikugien Garden

9- Koganei

10- Inokashira Park

If you’re not available during the day to enjoy the cherry blossoms, don’t worry, there are plenty of places where the trees are lit up, creating an atmosphere that’s just as – or even more – beautiful!

In conclusion

Hanami is one of Japan’s most important festivals. A true symbol for the Japanese, the cherry blossom trees here are historic and, it has to be said, truly magnificent. There’s nothing more pleasant than strolling under the pink trees along the river or picnicking in the parks to celebrate this poetic and romantic festival. It’s so special that other countries have started to celebrate it too, notably other Asian countries that have cherry trees, such as China and South Korea, but also other places that have planted them as a sign of friendship with Japan, such as Washington D.C. in the United States, for example.