Hanami is a Japanese tradition of cherry blossom viewing.
The tradition of viewing cherry blossoms dates back to the 16th century. Thousands of Japanese people come to the parks every year, sit under the cherry blossoms and marvel at the pink flowers. Enjoy the extraordinary beauty of cherry blossoms with us!
(Total 20 photos)
1. Since Monday, Ueno Park in Tokyo has been filled with crowds of happy Japanese. Like every year, they came to admire the cherry blossoms, the national symbol of the country. (Photo: TORU HANAI / REUTERS)
2. Families, friends and classmates sit in the parks under flowering trees, spread out tablecloths, take out the food they brought with them and celebrate the spring festival until nightfall, enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms. And in the evening, according to tradition, paper lanterns will be lit in the parks. (Photo: TORU HANAI / REUTERS)
3. For several days, the Japanese will be watching sakura-zensen - "cherry blossom front" - from a TV show that is shown immediately after the weather forecast. (Photo: AP Photo / Eugene Hoshiko)
4. Sakura-zensen begins in February on the southernmost island of Okinawa. (Photo: THOMAS PETER / REUTERS)
5. In Tokyo and Kyoto, cherry blossoms begin later - in late March or early April. (Photo: AP Photo / Shizuo Kambayashi)
6. The latest cherries will bloom in the north of Japan - on the island of Hokkaido. (Photo: THOMAS PETER / REUTERS)
7. This year, the tradition of hanami was supplemented by another custom - to take selfies against the backdrop of flowering trees. (Photo: THOMAS PETER / REUTERS)
8. Hanami is an important part of the Japanese identity. The opening buds, sung by poets, signify a new beginning, and literally, because when the cherry blossoms begin a new school year, as well as a new working year in Japanese corporations. (Photo: AP Photo / Shizuo Kambayashi)
9. The symbol of Japan, cherry blossoms, can be found almost everywhere in this country - on kimonos, dishes, jewelry and even on stationery. (Photo: TORU HANAI / REUTERS)
10. Without this tradition, Japan wouldn't be Japan, a 67-year-old Tokyo resident told a Reuters reporter. (Photo: AP Photo / Shizuo Kambayashi)
11. “This is an event in which every Japanese participates from a very young age,” said Miko Nakai. (Photo: TORU HANAI / REUTERS)
12. Cherry blossom, which lasts two weeks, is covered in detail in the Japanese media. (Photo: YUYA SHINO / REUTERS)
13. The peak of flowering occurs around the 7th day, then the cherry blossoms gradually begin to fade. (Photo: TORU HANAI / REUTERS)
14. The Mayor of Tokyo estimates that two million people will visit Ueno Park this year alone. (Photo: TORU HANAI / REUTERS)
15. The authorities of Tokyo made sure that visitors to the parks did not leave any garbage behind, for this they distribute picnic baskets and garbage bags to everyone. (Photo: TORU HANAI / REUTERS)
16. At this time of the year, in addition to parks, the Japanese also visit temples and shrines, around which cherry blossoms also bloom. (Photo: AP Photo / Shizuo Kambayashi)
17. Hanami is a Japanese tradition of viewing cherry blossoms. (Photo: TORU HANAI / REUTERS)
18. Picnic under cherry blossoms in Ueno Park in Tokyo. (Photo: THOMAS PETER / REUTERS)
19. Hanami in Tokyo. (Photo: AP Photo / Shuji Kajiyama)
20. Cherry blossoms are the national symbol of Japan. (Photo: AP Photo / Eugene Hoshiko)
Keywords: Cherry | Sakura | Traditions | Japan