Travel to Japan in Spring – Hanami Culture

chillibreeze writer — Anju Bhardwaj

Hanami

Spring is the favorite season of the Japanese and tourists visiting the country. The mild weather, the myriad shades of budding greenery, the riot of flowers and the accompanying hanami culture makes Japan a much loved destination during spring. Hanami or ‘flower viewing’ is a very old tradition in Japan. Though hanami can be the viewing of any flower, over the centuries it has become synonymous with viewing the famous sakura or cherry blossoms and experiencing the charm of the unfolding of the Japanese spring.

Cherry Blossoms and Japanese Life

The sakura or cherry blossom is the unofficial national flower of Japan. The magic of the sakura bloom in the beginning of spring is the harbinger of warm and sunny days. In reality, the plum (or ume), the humble cousin of cherry blossom, begins to bloom much ahead of cherry trees and this is in fact the true messenger of forthcoming spring. However, the cherry blossom has created its own special place in the heart of the Japanese because of the accompanying hanami culture.

The sakura starts flowering in Okinawa, the idyllic southernmost island, in late January and the “sakura wave” then travels northwards, its pace depending on the weather.

From January onwards, the nation gears itself for riding the “sakura wave”. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has a special cell that monitors the budding of these trees nationwide and a daily forecast is issued along with weather predictions. The Japanese and Japan lovers, home and abroad, track the “sakura wave or front” and hurriedly make their travel plans to view the flowers in the best spot. The success of the Japanese travel industry for both domestic and international tourists depends heavily on the accurate predictions of the sakura budding.

Around late March or early April, when the warm spring wind flows from the south, Tokyo and the surrounding areas are engulfed in a wave of beautiful pink and white flowers. More than a hundred varieties of cherry blossoms grow in Japan. The flowers are an array of shades in white, pink and pale yellow and bloom only for 10-14 days. They are found everywhere across Japan, growing wild in the mountains, forests and riversides or planted in parks, private gardens, schools, public buildings, industrial areas and along many major sakura avenues.

The fleeting season of sakura and the balmy weather of spring beckon the young and old to stop all work, don spring attire, gather under the sakura trees and hanami. The much-loved cherry blossom season is enthusiastically welcomed and it is a festive throughout Japan. Sakura viewing parties are significant for the Japanese, as they believe that sakura possess an inherent vitality that affects those who gather under the flower laden boughs to drink sake, a traditionally brewed, popular rice wine, and write and recite poetry.

In the Imperial courts, poems were written in appreciation of the beauty of these short-lived and delicate flowers. Artists, philosophers, writers and nature lovers view the sakura as a simile for life -ethereal, radiant and dazzling, yet momentary and ephemeral. This symbolism of life is a popular subject, contemplated in Japanese literature art, craft and music.

It is evident from the lifestyle here, that appreciation of nature and the four distinct seasons is deeply rooted in Japanese culture. The growing westernization of Japan in the recent decade has, fortunately, not meddled with this traditional pleasure. The Japanese, both young and old, enthusiastically make special trips to famous cherry blossom viewing venues, to drink sake and enjoy the beauty of spring. Sharing sake is an enjoyable aspect of hanami as Japanese regard drinking as an art of communication and sharing. Nowadays, hanami is synonymous with having picnics and parties with friends and loved ones under the canopy of sakuras and enjoying both modern and traditional music. The hanami season also coincides with the beginning of the academic and fiscal year in Japan, therefore many schools and companies initiate the new comers with hanami. It’s quite amusing to see a well dressed corporate tugging a huge picnic mat and hunting for an ideal place to party later in the day with his seniors and colleagues!

The Historical Perspective

The hanami culture can be traced back to the Nara period in the year 710 when people gathered in the spring to view the plum blossoms. In later years, under the influence of poets and writers who loved the cherry blossom, hanami became synonymous with the viewing of this picturesque flower. The tradition of hanami was kept alive by elaborate parties in the Imperial court of Kyoto. This is evident in the historical poems, memoirs, paintings and folding screens of that period. Before the 1600’s, the hanami was considered elitist and limited to being celebrated by the members of the Imperial court. It was between 1600 -1857, during the Edo period, that the cherry trees were planted in public areas to encourage common people to celebrate. The tradition continues in contemporary Japan with much enthusiasm and encompasses people from all walks of life.

Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

The blossoms can be viewed almost anywhere in Japan, but the backdrop of castles, shrines and water bodies enhances their beauty. In Tokyo and its suburbs, the four most popular spots for cherry blossom festivities are the parks of Ueno, Shinjuku, Yoyogi and Inokashira Goen. These parks have thousands of cherry trees and ample open space. Here you can experience the true hanami culture with the locals and if you are fortunate, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries too. Be prepared for facing crowds here!

On a more peaceful note, boat rides can be taken to enjoy the sakura, by the sides of the Sumida River, Meguro River and the moats of the Imperial Palace. Many of these areas are illuminated after dusk for nighttime hanami. It may sound unbelievable, but the most beautiful sakuras can be viewed in the Aoyama cemetery in the heart of Tokyo! It is a peaceful and befitting place to contemplate the life and death analogy of the cherry blossom!

Spring is the season to travel to Japan

Japan is beautiful in all seasons, but spring is the best time for tourists to travel to Japan. Apart from the mild spring weather, enjoying hanami with the locals is a great way of experiencing the local culture and interacting with people. It reveals a side of the Japanese, which is very different from the one of black-tied, diligent sobriety shown by the media. More over it’s a festive time and a great way to party in Japan!

You don’t need to learn Japanese to drink sake under the beautiful sakura trees!

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—About our writer:

Presently, based in Japan, Anju believes that every expatriate has a role to play as a true ambassador of his/ her country. She fulfills this role herself, by showcasing flavours and colours of India by organizing cookery classes, embroidery exhibitions and festive gatherings. Homemaker and mother of two she enjoys writing, community work and "discovering places & cultures" and above all gets immense pleasure out of flower arranging. "A good flower arrangement speaks volumes of the importance of creating a balance in life with given resources" says the creative woman inside her.