What is Hanami and Why Do We Celebrate the Ephemeral?

When spring arrives, trees dress in their finest attire: buds. Often white or pink, these flowers hold a special significance in Japan. Known as Hanami, this period is much more than just a bloom: it’s a cultural event, a moment of contemplation, sharing, and reflection. But why is it so precious to the Japanese? Let’s explore this ancient tradition.

What is Hanami?

Let’s start with a definition.

Definition

The Japanese are known for naming all their actions, no matter how detailed. The arrival of spring is no exception. The term “hanami” means “flower viewing.” This poetic word refers to the spring bloom, especially that of cherry trees or sakuras.

Origins

Hanami has been practiced for hundreds of years, starting under the influence of Chinese culture in Japan. During the Nara period (710-794), the Japanese admired plum trees imported from China, and later, in the Heian period (794-1191), they turned to cherry trees.

Furthermore, the tradition is rooted in Shinto rituals. At the start of spring, farmers would place offerings near fields and plantations to ensure a good harvest. The buds and flowers symbolized the appearance of nature’s spirits (kamis) and their blessings.

The Symbolism of Sakuras

Mono No Aware

Hanami lasts for only a few days, about ten, depending on the region. It’s an ephemeral celebration that the Earth offers to humans. Sakuras remind us of beauty and the passage of time; they are a tribute to the present. They also bridge the past and present, symbolizing evolution and renewal. This emotion for fleeting beauty is called Mono No Aware. It refers to the empathy one feels for the things around us, like sakura flowers during Hanami.

For the Homeland

Additionally, the cherry blossom is a symbol of Japanese warriors and samurais. On one hand, the petals, which fall in their beauty and youth, remind us of the warriors who fell in battle for their country. On the other hand, sakuras represent Japan, the symbol for which they fought. It was not uncommon to see cherry blossoms on the kamikaze planes during World War II.

Sakuras poetically remind us of the fragility of life and the impermanence of things, a philosophy to meditate on.

Today

Although Hanami remains a deeply rooted tradition in Japanese culture, it has evolved with younger generations. In the past, the celebrations were more intimate, often with offerings and prayers for a good harvest.

For the younger generations, this tradition is primarily a moment of conviviality and sharing. Today’s Hanami is often celebrated in parks, with festive picnics where groups gather to enjoy spring. Hanami parties are common, sometimes lasting until nightfall.

While the connection with nature and the ephemeral remains central, the focus is now on immediate pleasure. Young Japanese people, while respecting cultural heritage, live Hanami as an opportunity to take a break and share a social moment.

How to Celebrate Hanami in Japan in 2025?

Key Dates

Cherry blossoms bloom from south to north in Japan, allowing Hanami celebrations to last for about a month and a half across the country. For 2025, here are the projected dates to help you plan:

• Kagoshima: starting March 26
• Fukuoka: starting March 22
• Kochi: starting March 22
• Hiroshima: starting March 25
• Wakayama: starting March 24
• Osaka: starting March 27
• Kyoto: starting March 26
• Aichi: starting March 24
• Nagano: starting April 10
• Ishikawa: starting April 3
• Miyagi: starting April 8
• Aomori: starting March 22
• Hokkaido: starting May 1

The Most Beautiful Cherry Blossoms

There are countless varieties of cherry trees, each with different shapes, petals, blooms, and colors. The most popular sakura in Japan, with pale pinkish-white flowers, is the Yoshino cherry tree. However, there are unique sakuras worth seeing during Hanami:

• The Rock-Splitting Cherry Tree: This tree in Morioki, called Ishiwari-zakura, has been growing out of a rock for 400 years, splitting the stone over time. Its beauty and strength have broken the rock.
• Miharu Takizakura: Known as the “Waterfall Cherry Tree,” it resembles a waterfall in Miharu, Fukushima.
• Usuzumi Zakura: Over 1,500 years old, this cherry tree’s flowers turn a pale gray before falling off. It’s located in Neo Village in Gifu Prefecture.

The Most Beautiful Parks for Hanami

Traditionally, during Hanami, people sit in parks, have picnics, and observe the buds. Here are some of the best parks to enjoy this spectacular phenomenon:

• Matsumae Park (Hokkaido): Over 10,000 trees of 250 species bloom here.
• Hirosaki Park (Aomori): Near Hirosaki Castle, ornamental cherry trees cover the park with pink flowers.
• Shinjuku Gyoen (Tokyo): In the heart of the capital, thousands gather in various gardens to relax under cherry trees.

• Kema Sakuranomiya Park (Osaka): Cherry trees stretch for 4 km along the Ogawa River, offering a spectacular view.
• Philosopher’s Path (Kyoto): This walking path is covered in cherry blossoms and leads to the Kumano Nyakuôji Shrine.
• Nara Park: Famous for its deer, Todaiji Temple, and over 2,000 cherry trees.
• Chureito Pagoda: This pagoda offers a stunning view of Mount Fuji and is surrounded by cherry blossoms during bloom.

Overtourism

With the growing popularity of Hanami, this tradition now attracts thousands of international tourists every year. While it boosts the local economy, it also creates challenges related to crowd management. Iconic sites are often overcrowded, sometimes making the experience unpleasant. Efforts are being made to regulate and preserve these sites. For example, some parks have set restrictions on hours or access to avoid overcrowding. So, if you plan to celebrate Hanami in Japan, make sure to respect the traditions and nature!

How to Celebrate Hanami in the United States in 2025?

Yes, you can celebrate Hanami outside of Japan in Spring 2025. Cherry blossoms bloom around the world at the start of spring. Here are two major festivals in the United States:

National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington

This event will take place from March 20 to April 13, 2025, in Washington D.C. It celebrates both spring and the gift of cherry trees on March 27, 1912, from Tokyo’s mayor Yukio Ozaki to improve U.S.-Japan relations. Numerous events occur over two weeks: sushi parties, photo exhibitions, kimono parades, bike tours around the Tidal Basin, and more.

Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia

Here, the Japanese-American Society celebrates the donation of 1,600 cherry trees by Japan to Philadelphia in 1926. By 2007, over 1,000 cherry trees were planted in Fairmount Park. Since 1998, the festival has been held annually, attracting tens of thousands of participants to various activities. The 2025 festival will take place on April 5 and 6.

Hanami as a Reminder of Life and Death

Sakuras and Hanami remind us that our time on Earth is brief, and we should seize the moment to create beauty and do good around us. Everywhere, you can take a few minutes or hours to observe the pink and white buds. Meditate, look, smell, and enjoy the present moment. Live the Mono No Aware.