The Hanami season in Japan

March 29, 2021

Every spring you see them but they don't necessarily evoke anything for you, except perhaps delight, so impressive is their beauty.

But what is it? Japanese cherry trees, of course.

Each year, depending on the latitude, the "sakura" (in Japanese) burst into a riot of color, ranging from white to red depending on the species (there are approximately 600!). But the most striking color remains pink… In Japan, the flowering season begins in mid-March in the south of the country (Tokyo) and extends until mid-April in the north (Sapporo).

It is during this period that the Japanese celebrate Hanami, A centuries-old tradition that simply involves looking at and appreciating the beauty of cherry blossoms. Very often, this is accompanied by a family picnic under the flowering trees and on the famous blue tarpaulins.

So it's the perfect opportunity to get together with family or share a festive moment with friends. We serve sushi and maki (prepared with our...) Easy Sushi® of course), homemade bento boxes or other onigiri, but above all, alcohol and especially sake, flow freely… but in no way detracting from the serious and traditional aspect of the event.

The cherry blossom is indeed one of Japan's most powerful symbols of identity. For over 1000 years, it has symbolized the Japanese government through its emperors. But for the Japanese people, the cherry blossom is a symbol of hope and national unity for the entire nation.

The current period is not conducive to travel, but here are 10 parks and gardens in France to visit without moderation to rediscover and immerse yourself in a little of the magic of Japanese gardens.