Hanami (花見), literally meaning "flower viewing," is a traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers, most commonly cherry blossoms (sakura) and less frequently plum blossoms (ume)
. It is a centuries-old practice dating back to the Nara period (710–794 AD), originally centered on plum blossoms but later evolving to focus on cherry blossoms, which symbolize the fleeting nature of life and beauty in Japanese culture
. Hanami typically takes place from late March to early May, depending on the region and the blooming period of the sakura trees. The Japan Meteorological Agency even issues a "cherry blossom front" forecast each year to track the blooming
. During hanami, people gather outdoors-often in parks or near temples and shrines-to have picnics under the blooming trees, appreciating the blossoms both during the day and at night (called yozakura)
. Beyond a simple picnic, hanami embodies a deeper cultural significance tied to the Japanese aesthetic of "mono no aware," the awareness of the impermanence of things, reflected in the short-lived beauty of the cherry blossoms
. The tradition has also been historically linked to aristocratic poetry and celebrations, and today it remains a major seasonal event attracting millions of people in Japan and worldwide
. In summary, hanami is both a festive and reflective occasion celebrating the beauty and transience of spring through the viewing of flowering cherry and plum trees, deeply rooted in Japanese history and culture.
