Hanami refers to cherry blossom viewing, but it literally means “flower viewing”. These beautiful flowers usually come into bloom between March and May. The exact duration will depend on its location. The milder the climate, the earlier they bud. In warm islands of Okinawa for example, you can view the cherry blossoms as early as January. This of course depends on the weather, so the dates may vary a bit each year,
Cherry blossom seasons lasts for a little over 2 weeks if there are no strong winds and rain. They usually come into full bloom (mankai) a week after the first buds blossom (kaika). These lovely flowers are viewable for another week and then they start falling off.
The art of hanami may be done at parks and even tourist spots such as castles, temples or shrines. Hanami parties in form of picnics at parks or gardens are also quite popular. Here is a list of cherry blossom spots which you can visit when you are in Japan.
Tokyo –Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Chidorigafuchi, Sumida Park
Yokohama –Sankeien Garden, Mitsuike Park
Kamakura –Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Full Five Lakes –Northern Shores of Kawaguchiko, Chureito Pagoda
Matsumoto –Matsumoto Castle
Kanazawa –Kenrokuen
Nagoya –Yamazakigawa Riverside, Nagoya Castle
Hikone –Hikone Castle
Kyoto –Philosopher’s Path, Maruyama Park, Arashiyama, Heian Shrine
Osaka –Kema Sakuranomiya Park, Osaka Castle, Expo 70 Commemorative Park, Osaka Mint Bureau
Nara –Nara Park
Yoshino –Yoshinoyama
Himeji –Himeji Castle
Okayama –Handayama
Botanical Garden, Korakuen Garden, Okayama Castle
Hiroshima –Hiroshima Peace Park. Miyajima
Takamatsu –Megijima Island
Matsuyama –Matsuyama Castle
Fukuoka –Fukuoka Castle,
Maizuru Park
Kumamoto –Kumamoto Castle
Sendai –Mikamine Park
Tohoku –Miharu Takizakura, Kitakami, Kakunodate, Hirosaki Castle
Hokkaido –Matsumae Park, Goryokaku Fort, Maruyama Park and Hokkaido Shrine
Posted March 29th, 2012 by Anna+ | Comment (0)
