People often say that it is just an act of “flower viewing”, but in fact, it is more than just a flower viewing. Hanami is a cherished Japanese tradition where you can enjoy the rare experience of being surrounded by the beautifully blooming soft pink and white color of the sakura trees while gathering with friends or family, sharing laughter and conversations. It is a cultural and social celebration that bursts into a vibrant life each spring.

Hanami is a cherished Japanese tradition where you can enjoy the rare experience of being surrounded by the beautifully blooming soft pink and white color of the sakura trees while gathering with friends or family, sharing laughter and conversations. It is a cultural and social celebration that bursts into a vibrant life each spring.

Other than gathering, Hanami itself actually has some important meanings behind it. Because it always happens in spring which is known as a time of natural and growth, Hanami is believed to signify a fresh start. And so, Viewing the blossoms becomes one of the ways to celebrate new beginnings and welcome the possibility that the new season brings.

Can you imagine yourself, sitting under the canopy of fully bloomed sakura trees under nice weather, and suddenly a soft breeze comes to your skin while in front of you there are friends and family bringing various mouth-watering foods and refreshing beverages?

And after that you have a nice conversation together, play some kind of games together, sing to each other, tell each other interesting stories, take photos for a memento of the event and so on? It is what you call “Hanami”. It is indeed a very precious time to make memories and truly enjoy the companion of the other that you only be able to enjoy during a limited time each year.

The origins of Hanami date back to the Nara period (710-794), when the practice initially focused on plum blossoms (ume), which were admired by the aristocracy for their beauty and fragrance. Plum blossoms, introduced from China, were seen as a symbol of resilience and elegance.

However, by the Heian period (794-1185), cherry blossoms began to take center stage, reflecting a shift in cultural preferences. The sakura, native to Japan, came to symbolize the transient nature of life, which is a concept deeply tied to Buddhist philosophy and the Japanese aesthetic of mono no aware (the pathos of things).

The tradition of Hanami was popularized by Emperor Saga, who hosted elaborate flower-viewing parties beneath the cherry trees in the Imperial Court in Kyoto. These gatherings often included poetry readings, music, and feasting, setting the tone for the modern Hanami experience. The practice was initially limited to the elite, but over time, it spread to samurai society and eventually to the general public during the Edo period (1603-1868). During this time, cherry trees were planted in large numbers across Japan, making Hanami accessible to people from all walks of life.

The cherry blossom's fleeting beauty also became a metaphor for the samurai's way of life, emphasizing the importance of living with honor and appreciating the present moment.

Now, Hanami has become one of the most cherished traditions enjoyed by everyone in Japan, and not even a few foreigners fell in love with these Japanese traditions. Park and public space are full with vibrant displays of pink and white color during peak bloom, transforming the area for social gatherings, picnics and celebrations.

Cherry blossoms hold profound cultural and symbolic meaning in Japan. Their brief blooming period, typically lasting only one to two weeks, serves as a poignant reminder of life's impermanence (a concept known as "mono no aware").

This fleeting beauty encourages people to appreciate the present moment and find joy in the ephemeral. The sakura also symbolize renewal and hope, as their blooming coincides with the start of the school year and the fiscal year in Japan, marking a time of new beginnings.

Hanami can only be experienced for a limited time. It is not a daily occurrence that you can experience any time and anywhere. The time of the full bloom would all be different based on the weather and elevation of each location.

The cherry blossom season in Japan typically begins in late March and extends through early May, depending on the region. The blooming period starts in the southern parts of Japan, such as Okinawa, and gradually moves northward to Hokkaido. This phenomenon, known as the "sakura front," is closely monitored by weather forecasts, allowing locals and tourists alike to plan their Hanami outings.

While the Central of Japan such as the capital city, Tokyo and the historical city of Kyoto is predicted around early April to mid-April. Last but not least, Northern Japan such as Sapporo and Hokkaido are predicted to bloom from Mid-April to late April because those areas tend to be colder than the other so it’s kind of delaying the blooming time of the flower.

So if you just missed the early season of the cherry blossoms blooming, you could try to plan your visit with a later blooming date. While in Japan, you could also try exploring new area, or try other things to do in Japan that are available around the city that you’ve decided to spend all your holiday at.

The very first thing that you need to consider and one of the most essential parts of doing Hanami is, of course, the location. Without a good location you can’t enjoy this festive activity to the fullest.

Before deciding on doing the Hanami, you can research for the best possible location that are suitable to your preference as well as your friends or family that will be going with you to do Hanami, either choosing a bustling park that offer a cheerful atmosphere, a serene temple garden that giving out that peaceful feeling and many other choice.

Some of the popular spots often allow reservations beforehand, so go and take a look at the park regulations and book the space if possible, especially if you plan to have a larger gathering.

If you’re talking about a picnic, then it would be obvious that you’re gonna need a ton of delicious, finger-licking foods and refreshing beverages to accompany those delicacies.

To make the most of your Hanami experience, here are some essentials to bring:

The very first place that has always been worth-mentioning is Tokyo's Ueno Parkthat boasts over 1,000 cherry blossoms lining its pathway. The atmosphere is also very lively which is perfect for celebration where there are a lot of street performers, food vendors and picnickers to add to the festive spirit.

If you want to continue on doing other activities, also visit the Tokyo National Museum, the serene Toshogu Shrine, or meet with various animals at Ueno Zoological Gardens.

A unique experience where you can stroll alongside the river and have a good time picnicking with over 800 cherry blossom trees or rent a boat and cruising under the sakura canopy is another unique experience that is not to be missed.

Besides, Meguro River is located in a quite trendy neighborhood, so you could try to visit some shops, cafes and restaurants around the area after or even before you went to the desired park.

Another popular destination for hanami, Maruyama Park can be said as the best spot you could ever get in Kyoto. The park housing over 600 cherry trees, with one of them known as “weeping cherry” is famous for being the best photo spot.

The place is most likely to be crowded during cherry blossom season, so it would be preferable for you to go in advance to reserve some spots, especially if you go in a large number.

Mount Yoshino in Nara, which is also known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses over 30,000 cherry trees. On the mountainside, you will be able to enjoy the exploding soft pink-and-white color tree dangling while picnicking together with friends and families.

Step back in time and enjoy a unique hanami experience in Hiroaki Castle in Aomori that is surrounded by over 2,600 cherry trees welcoming you. The place is especially stunning during night time, especially during the cherry blossoms festival, where you can see the castle ground being illuminated making a magical atmosphere that you can’t experience anywhere else.

Being known as one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, Kenrokuen Garden offers another unique experience where you can see the beauty of crystal-clear ponds, beautifully made bridges and numerous varieties of cherry blossom trees that will surely give you delightful memories with your beloved one.

That’s all the basic things that you need to know before visiting the cherry blossom season in Japan. Now you’ve known what you need to know, it is time to actually plan your holiday and book the flights, hotel, and some of the attractions around the area with Traveloka! Besides giving the best price that you could ever find, Traveloka also offers you numerous combos, discounts and promotions that’s definitely worth your time and money altogether. And so what are you waiting for? Grab your fast before you miss your chance to go to Hanami in Japan!

While Hanami is a joyful and relaxed event, there are certain etiquette rules to follow to ensure everyone has a pleasant experience:

That’s all the basic things that you need to know before visiting the cherry blossom season in Japan. Now you’ve known what you need to know, it is time to actually plan your holiday and book your Singapore to Tokyo flights, hotels in Japan, and some things to do in Tokyo with Traveloka!

Besides giving the best price that you could ever find, Traveloka also offers you numerous combos, discounts and promotions that’s definitely worth your time and money altogether. And so what are you waiting for? Grab your fast before you miss your chance to go to Hanami in Japan!