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Cherry Blossom Festival

So what exactly happens during the cherry blossom festival? What are the rules?

On our Japanese cherry blossom page we talked about what the sakura flower means to the Japanese.

Here we'll share our favorite spot to celebrate the hanami season, when to see the blossom in Tokyo, and what a typical hanami party is like.

Hanami Party

Virtually all the Japanese people I know will celebrate hanami, the cherry blossom festival, with family, co-workers and friends. It's an annual tradition that has deep roots.

Companies arrange hanami parties for their employees, university students have it marked on their academic calendar, and mums and dads plan ideal settings to introduce their little ones to the wonders of hanami. This is truly a festival for everyone.

The most popular locations to join in the fun are parks, castles, temples, and shrines. At weekends and in the evenings, these places will be full of people strolling through the grounds or sitting under a cherry tree. Picnic mats are rolled out and the sake, or your preferred choice of beverage, starts to flow.

Just like at Japanese New Year when mochi is eaten, there is a special sakura mochi for the cherry blossom festival.

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The Flower Front

One of the difficulties for short stay visitors wanting to see the hanami season is knowing when to visit.

The cherry blossom starts to bloom in the South of Japan usually around February time. It then gradually moves North, finally reaching Hokkaido around May.

The Japanese weather forecast follows the flower front and predicts when it will begin in each area. Errors are costly. Many companies will book a venue for their hanami party and it's an expensive mistake if the flowers arrive earlier or later than expected.

If you're going to be in Tokyo and want to see the cherry blossom festival, the usual time is the last week in March to the middle of April. There are no guarantees with this I'm afraid.

The Tokyo weather and Tokyo climate are moody beasts so there's room for maneuver either side of these dates.

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Favorite Hanami Viewing Spot

On our Japanese cherry blossom page we listed some of the best viewing spots in Tokyo, but the one that's top of our list is down by the Naka Meguro river.

To get here, take the Toyoko Line to Naka Meguro station. There is only one exit. You then need to cross the road you see in front of you as you come out of the station and keep walking away from the station. Don't worry, just follow everyone else! The river is about a 5 minute walk away.

The cherry trees form a bough of blossoms along the length of the river, with lanterns strung between the branches to light the blooms after dark. People set up food and drink stalls, musicians bring their shamisens and cameras are out in force.

This is a leisurely stroll along the river with pauses for breaks whenever you want them. The only rule is to have fun and marvel at the beauty of this cherry blossom festival. Hope to see you here : )