When is the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan?
In japan, the flowering of cherry blossoms is divided into two periods: “kaika” (beginning) and “mankai” (peak flowering). After that, the flowers start to fall and the treetops become less visible.
In Japan, each region has a specific flowering date, which can confuse travelers. On the other hand, if you miss hanami in one area, there is still a chance to enjoy it in another.
Generally speaking, the further north you go, the later it blooms. However, in 2021, Japan will have its earliest cherry blossom season in 1,200 years. For experts, expectations are a reflection of climate change on Earth.
As in the previous year, the 2022 flowering period is expected to start in March. For exact dates, visit the Japan Meteorological Agency’s website, which predicts cherry blossom festivals at more than 1,000 locations.
Hanami is a traditional practice of contemplating the beauty of flowers, especially cherry blossoms, both during the day and at night. Sakura’s name is Sakura, which means feminine beauty and symbolizes love, happiness, renewal and hope. In contemporary Japan, hanami can be as simple as gazing at the cherry blossoms or even having a picnic with friends in the shade of the blooming trees, which often turns into an outdoor party/banquet.
As spring approaches, the entire country turns pink. A few months before their arrival, retailers were entering sakura mode — supermarkets filled with sakura and convenience store cherry-flavored products.
What is the meaning of hanami?
For the Japanese, spring represents the beginning of a cycle. As a result, several important things usually happen in April: the school year for the school, the fiscal year for the company, and even the new employee induction office.
It’s a historical tradition because cherry blossoms are used to mark the beginning of the rice harvest, and many believe that gods live in the trees, so much so that sake offerings are left beneath them.
In addition, Hanami’s brief heyday had philosophical and spiritual connotations, representing the impermanence of life.
But all the excitement is short-lived: The flowers drop and disappear for a brief period of one to two weeks. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead so you can visit the country on the exact date to experience the show up close and personal!
