Dates: March 16 to End of April (undpredictable)

Depending on the region, hanami bloom at different times. The further north you get the later the sakura bloom. The earliest recorded date for sakura to bloom in Tokyo was March 16, in 2002 but they usually bloom sometime in later March to early April.

Hanami is a wonderful time of year in Japan. Many of the parks and river banks are lined with Cherry blossom trees which bloom in unison during Cherry Blossom Season. The petals are a delicate pink and some of the parks look like a sea of fluffy pink.

Cherry blossoms are very short lived and are only at their glorious full bloom for about a week. If there are medium to strong winds, or rain during that period the blossoms will fall. Some years it will rain before the trees are in full bloom so there is not much to look at at all. It is precisely because of the transient nature of this beautiful phenomenon that the Japanese appreciate it so much. They see the blooms as an allegory for the fleeting beauty of life. They serve as a reminder to stop and enjoy the beauty of life while you can.

During this time young and old alike take along a picnic, and often a ground-sheet, to enjoy the day under the blooming cherry blossom trees. In the parks where there are many trees you can barely see the sound for the people. This is a huge festival. Many bring drinks and some will even bring along portable karaoke machines.

A lot of companies also celebrate hanami with their employees. Usually, one of the new employees has to stay out all night to grab a strategic spot and it is not uncommon for some employees to stay out all night.

Related posts:

1. Inokashira Park Hanami
2. Chidorigafuchi Hanami
3. Zenpukuji Hanami
4. Ueno Park Hanami
5. Aoyama Bocchi Hanami

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