Cherry Blossoms | お花見

Ah, Spring has finally come, and with it the incomparable beauty that is the blooming cherry trees of Japan. 花見 (hanami), or literally “flower viewing”, is ultimately one of the primary reasons I came to Japan in the Spring, and I’m quite sure I came just at the right time!

Hanami is quite the occasion to get excited about in Japan, and as a result is popular with all sorts of people. It’s a time to go out with friends and chat while taking in the beauty nature has to offer. It’s a time to pack a bento lunchbox or bring snacks and drink to sit outside and feast under the blossoms. It’s a time to be savored and forget about the rushes and pressure of daily life.

  

At a typical hanami location, one can typically find a variety of groups enjoying the sights, ranging from small families, people with pets, couples, or even spots where numerous coworkers will lay out a large tarp and take a break from work. Among the spots I visited were Osaka Castle, Sakura No Miya, where it is said more than 5000 cherry trees flank the river in downtown Osaka, and Arashiyama in Kyoto, where I went for a special form of hanami called 夜桜 (yozakura), or night sakura.

Food and drink comprise a big part essential to the enjoyment of hanami. It’s not uncommon to find a buffet of delicious treats, ranging from sushi, chips, cake, cheese, and so on. And lest we forget the all important 日本酒 (nihonshu), or Japanese sake. Among the choicest of beverages is also 梅酒 (umeshu), or plum wine, which one can find somewhat comically in large paper cartons, much like one would expect milk to be in.