Cherry Blossom Viewing 花見
Check the blossom forecast! (late-Mar to late-Apr)
Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) is huge in Japan, signalling the arrival of spring - and this may well be your reason for visiting.
Japanese celebrate with hanami parties, usually involving pinics and drinking under cherry trees throughout the country. To do it Japanese style, check out How to do Hanami.
Predicting exact dates is a national pastime, so make sure to check out the cherry blossom forecast.
Remember, spring moves up the country from the south. What is known as the ‘cherry blossom front’ (sakura zensen) advances up Japan with the opening and full bloom of blossoms from Kyūshū in late March to Hokkaidō in late April.
