Hanami (花見) [はなみ]
Hanami (literally "flower viewing") is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of flowers, "flower" in this case almost always meaning cherry blossoms or ume blossoms (Japanese plum).
From as early as the mid of January to early May, sakura blooms all over Japan from the south (Okinawa) all the way to the north (Hokkaido).In modern-day Japan, hanami mostly consists of having an outdoor party beneath the sakura during daytime or at night.Hanami at night is called yozakura (literally night sakura).A more ancient form of hanami also exists in Japan, which is enjoying the plum blossoms (ume) instead. This kind of hanami is popular among older people, because they are more calm than the sakura parties, which usually involve younger people and can sometimes be very crowded and noisy.
Number of petals
Most wild trees, but also a lot of cultivated tree varieties, have blossoms with five petals.However, some species have blossoms which consist of ten, twenty or more petals. Trees with blossoms of more than five petals are called yaezakura.
There are more than a 100 varieties of cherry trees in Japan and here are a list of some of them that are usually seen.
Somei Yoshino (染井吉野) [ソメイヨシノ」
The most popular type of sakura trees that are seen throughout Japan.Somei Yoshino trees come with slightly pink, almost white, 5-petaled blossoms.
Blooming period: late March, early April
Yamazakura (山桜) [やまざくら]
Yamazakura is a wild, native cherry tree variety of Japan, which typically grows in mountainous areas.The blossoms are slightly pink and have five, relatively small petals.
Blooming period: late March, early April
Shidarezakura (枝垂桜) [シダレザクラ]
Shidarezakura are weeping cherry trees, they have drooping branches. There are trees with blossoms of five petals and trees with blossoms of more than five petals.
Blooming period: late March, early April
Ukon sakura (鬱金桜）[ウコン桜]
The Ukon has about 10-20 petals per blossom and coppery leaves.Ukon trees are easily recognized by their blossoms' characteristic, yellowish color.
Blooming period: mid April
Shogetsu (松月) [しょうげつ]
The Shogetsu is a late blooming yaezakura with relatively large, white blossoms of about 20-30 petals.The fresh leaves are green.
Blooming period: mid to late April
Kikuzakura (菊桜) [きくざくら]
The Kikuzakura has as many as one hundred petals per blossom.It is also one of the latest blooming trees. In fact, by the time the blossoms are in bloom, the fresh leaves have already developed almost completely and are somewhat hiding the blossoms.
Blooming period: late April, early May
Popular Hanami spots in Japan
| Tokyo | Shinjuku Gyoen, Ueno Park, Chidorigafuchi Sumida Park |
|---|---|
| Nagoya | Nagoya Castle |
| Kyoto | Philosopher's Path, Maruyama Park, Heian Shrine |
| Osaka | Osaka Castle |
| Hiroshima | Miyajima |
| Aomori | Hirosaki Castle |
| Hokkaido | Goryokaku Fort, Matsumae Park |
Sakura festivals
| Izu Kawazu Sakura Festa | Shizuoka |
|---|---|
| Yaedake Cherry Blossom Festival, Motobu Town | Okinawa |
| Matsuyama Shiroyama Koen Cherry Blossom Festival, Matsuyama-city | Ehime |
| Matsue Jozan Koen Festival Matsue-city | Shimane |
| Tsuyama Kakuzan Koen Cherry Blossom Festival | Tsuyama-city, Okayama |
| Takato Joshi Koen Cherry Blossom Festival Takato-machi Ina-city | Nagano prefecture |
Blooming period based on region
| Okinawa | From mid January to early of February |
|---|---|
| Shikoku | Between early of March to late of March |
| Kyushu | Between early of March to late of March |
| Kansai | Betweenm mid of March to early of April |
| Chubu | Between mid of March to early of April |
| Kanto | Between mid of March to early of April |
| Tohoku | Between early of April to early of May |
| Hokkaido | Between mid of April to mid of May |
