INFORMATION

The word "Japan" often evokes images of old wooden temples and castles surrounded by cherry trees filled with white blossoms.
Hanami means "to see flowers" and is a traditional Japanese culture where friends, family, and colleagues gather outdoors to enjoy eating, drinking, and the charm of being surrounded by cherry blossoms under the trees.
In this post, I would like to introduce the best dates for Hanami and places to visit.

Blossoming forecast for 2022
Top flowering is expected to occur around March 21 in Kumamoto, on March 22 in Tokyo and Fukuoka, on March 23 in Nagasaki and Nagoya, on March 24 in Oita, Wakayama and Yokohama, and at the end of March in a wide area from western Japan to the Kanto and Hokuriku regions. In addition, Niigata, Nagano and Tohoku are likely to bloom in early to mid-April.

Hanami spots you should definitely visit
1. Hirosaki Park / Aomori Prefecture
When in full bloom, about 2,600 cherry trees of more than 50 varieties are in full bloom. The sight of Hirosaki Castle towering over the stonewalls and cherry blossoms is exactly what you would expect to see in Japan.

2. Ueno Onshi Park / Tokyo
Ueno Onshi Park has been known for its cherry blossoms since the early Edo period and is one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo. During the cherry blossom viewing period, the park is lit with bonbori (paper lanterns), allowing you to enjoy the cherry blossoms at night.

3. Himeji Castle / Hyogo Prefecture
The beauty of the combination of light red cherry blossoms and Himeji Castle, a World Heritage Site, makes one realize the Japanese spring.

In this article, I have introduced some of the best places for cherry blossom viewing that I would like you to visit.
I hope you will all enjoy Hanami with your family and friends.