Because nowhere else are cherry blossoms as appreciated as in Japan, and nowhere else are cherry blossoms included in poetry, art and loved like here. Every year, during the cherry blossom season, Japanese people eagerly participate in the cherry blossom viewing festival, also known as the Hanami festival, which is considered a festival to welcome spring after a long period of cold.< /p>
In Japanese “hana” means flower and “mi” means viewing. Hanami is a cherry blossom viewing festival. This festival originated during the Nara period from 710 to 794, during which time the Japanese nobility Often hold tea parties under the cherry blossom tree, compose poetry together, drink wine and watch the cherry blossoms fall. During the Heian period from 794 to 1185, this activity was popularized by Emperor Heian for all people to participate. From now on, Hanami officially becomes a national holiday.
Talking about cherry blossoms, you may have known come to cherry blossoms somewhere, but when you come to Japan, you will definitely be surprised by the diversity of cherry blossom varieties. There are more than 50 different species of cherry blossoms here, from pinkish white like Yamazakura to dark pink like Oyamazakura, including fragrant cherry blossoms like OshimazakuraYamazakura…
The Japanese have a saying: “A flower is a cherry blossoma person is a Samurai” meaning “if you are a cherry blossoma person, you would like to be a samurai”. This saying comes from the tenacious spirit of the samurai. When a samurai faces danger, he does not hesitate in the face of death but will stab himself and collapse immediately. The same goes for cherry blossoms. The delicate flowers bloom together and then fall together while still in their freshness, symbolizing the eternal nobility of the samurai.
In addition, when cherry blossoms bloom, Peaches often bloom in clusters, evoking the spirit of solidarity of the Japanese people. Perhaps that is why the Japanese choose cherry blossoms as the national flower and are proud every time this flower is mentioned.
Today, the Hanami festival is popular throughout Japan and usually takes place from Mid-March to May every year is when cherry blossoms bloom. However, the climate in Japan will gradually warm up if you go from north to south. Therefore, cherry blossoms will bloom first in the southern provinces and gradually move to the northern provinces. Hanami festival will also take place first in the southern provinces and gradually move to the northern provinces.
Every The weather forecast center will predict the cherry blossom bloom time in each area so that people can plan to prepare for the Hanami festival. There are many ways to participate in the Hanami festival. You can organize tea parties with your relatives and friends under the cherry blossom tree, have fun together and enjoy prepared dishes such as: Hanami bento, Hanami rice cake... Here is the most popular form of Hanami in Japan. However, getting a good spot at famous places is not easy. You often have to arrive early to reserve a spot.
Or if you don’t like the bustling, crowded atmosphere, you can leisurely stroll with your loved ones. Walk along the riverbank or cherry blossom streets. Strolling through streets filled with cherry blossoms is an ideal choice for couples and those who love romance. Taking a walk with your friends and loved ones in the poetic scenery with gentle, fragile flower petals fluttering will definitely leave you with unforgettable impressions in your life.
Another way to participate Hanami festival is also quite unique in boating at river parks with cherry blossoms. This is one of the forms of Hanami popular with Japanese youth. You can have two or four people on the same boat with your lover, friends, or relatives, chatting leisurely while looking out into the distance to see the cherry blossoms along the riverbank.
A more advanced way of viewing cherry blossoms is to board a cruise ship specifically for the Hanami festival. On the cruise, traditional dishes of the festival have been prepared so you can enjoy them while chatting and watching cherry blossoms fall. Occasionally you will see delicate flower petals drifting along the water. Interesting places for you to participate in the Hanami festival by boat are the Meguro River and Inokashira Onshi Park in Tokyo.
The cherry blossoms not only sparkle during the day but also become even more splendid and beautiful. More elegant under the sparkling lights at night. People call this the night cherry blossom festival. If you are planning to come to Japan this spring, here are some unique places to participate in this year’s Hanami festival:
1.Tsuyama-Jo in Okayama</p >
2 Daigo-ji in Kyoto
3 Meguro River in Tokyo
4 Takadojoshi Park in Nagano
5 Rikugien in Tokyo
6 Takada Park
7 Izumo Taisha Jinnen in Shimane
8 Kuon-ji in Yamanashi
9 Izu-Kogen Sakura Namiki in Shizuoka in< /p>
10 Isshingyo-no-Ozakura in Kumamoto
In addition to the famous places above, you can participate in Hanami at any place with cherry blossoms such as: school grounds, small parks, gardens…
When mentioning Hanami, it is impossible not to mention traditional Japanese dishes. One of the dishes that often appears during the Hanami festival is bento, filled with bento boxes. Being meticulously prepared is something you can easily encounter during the festival. And especially, Hanami would not be complete without Hanamizake wine. This is a favorite drink of Japanese people during the cherry blossom festival.
In addition, during the Hanami festival, you You will easily see street foods such as: dango Hanamitakoyaki… Cherry blossoms are not only for viewing but also used to prepare dishes to pray for good luck such as: salted cherry blossoms, cherry soba noodles, cherry blossom rice balls. Fresh chocolate from cherry blossoms…
If you have the opportunity to come to Japan these days, don’t miss the Hanami festival. Surely this will be your interesting experience in the land of cherry blossoms.
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