I have not been a fan of hanami parties I must admit. I thought they were really overrated, why just sit under a sakura サクラ tree with some food and drinks, it was not at all exciting for me. But 3 years in Japan and hanami is slowly growing on me!! This year I actually attended 5-6 hanami parties. Well I have given into the believe that Cherry blossom period is so short and better to enjoy every moment before the flowers are gone…so much for a mind change!!
Hanami 花見 literally means ” floor viewing”; with a view of castle or river or a temple in the background makes it even more interesting.
You need to check the cherry blossom forecast before you plan your hanami date. Every area has a different time for the full bloom. Cherry blossom festivals take place all over Japan between March to May. Festival dates are usually determined with reference to cherry blossom forecasts and vary from year to year.The slow-moving cherry blossom front (sakura-zensen) is tracked by the Japan Meteorological Agency and moves from south to north as warmer temperatures trigger trees to begin blooming. Hanami typically begins around mid March and lasts until early May with the first blooms appearing on the islands around Okinawa. The last chance to enjoy blooms is typically in cooler, northern parts of Japan such as Hakkaido.
In popular places you need to reserve a picnic spot long before. You can spread your picnic sheet early in the morning and mark it with your groups name and party’s starting time. But generally we see someone from the group ( generally new employees who are not yet good in there job in case of office parties ) waiting there in the cold, sometimes peeling vegetables for a meal of nabhe ( hot-pot) or setting up their barbecue..while the rest of the gang arrives after their work.
But hanami can be done with other simple stuff like onigiri ( rice cake ) or bento ( lunch boxes )
or just get some snacks from the convenience store. Well my hanami mostly consisted of tea and sandwiches and some chocolates thrown in. I am learning the tricks of the trade although slowly..
Alcohol, mainly beer or sake or umeshu or sakura ( cherry blossom flavoured drinks are the popular drinks. In Japan it is legal to drink in public ( Japanese people can behave well even after a couple of drinks ). Well this is everything you need to know about hanami in Japan; so let’s look at some of my hanami pictures taken at Kema Sakuranomiya Park and Utsubo Park in Osaka..
P.S. Don’t forget to get trash bags. Be sure to clean your spot. If you don’t be ready to get some angry stares.

Sakuranomiya park, Osaka

Vivalahighstreet

Cherry blossom

Vivalahigshtreet

Kema Sakuranomiya park, Osaka

Vivalahighstreet

Cheery Blossom Osaka

Vivalahighstreet

Zara Jacket

Vivalahighstreet

GAP sweater

Vivalahighstreet

Marc Jacobs iphone cover

Vivalahighstreet

Cherry Blossom Festival Osaka

Vivalahighstreet

Kema Sakuranomiya Park

Vivalahighstreet

GU Japan

Vivalahighstreet

Sweater – GAP, 30 $ on Sale, 2014;
Skirt – H&M, 26 $, 2011; also worn here
Jacket – Zara, 130 $ ( gift from mom ), 2013, also worn here;
Shoes – H&M, 50 $, 2014; aslo worn here;
Bag – GU, 20 $, 2013; also worn here;
Sunglasses – Marc Jacobs, 130 $, 2013; also worn here;

Hanami

Vivalahighstreet

Cherry Blossom Japan

Vivalahighstreet

Hanami Japan

Vivalahighstreet

cherry blossom tree

Vivalahighstreet

sakura

Vivalahighstreet

sakura

Vivalahighstreet

Cherry Blossom Festival Japan

Vivalahigshstreet

sakura tree

Vivalahighstreet

cherry blossom Osaka

Vivalahighstreet

cherry blossom tree

Vivalahighstreet

hanami

Vivalahighstreet

Sakuranomiya Park

Vivalahighstreet

Hanami

Vivalahighstreet

Sakura tree

Vivalahighstreet

hanami

Vivalahighstreet

Outfit of the day

Vivalahighstreet

leather skirt

Vivalahighstreet

20 Responses

  1. Nidhi Singh

    love your blog. now you seem to be inspiring me to start one…has been on my mind since long. I am living in Tokyo since last year. whenever you r in tokyo next…we can plan to meet 😛

    Reply
  2. Soumya

    Prerna. . Awesome post and pics. 🙂 nidhi. . I sail in the same boat as you. Want to start one since long. I live in chiba. Came here in feb 2013. Great to know you. Meet up would be definitely great.

    Reply
  3. caroline

    What a beautiful event! I have to say it makes me miss Vancouver. The city always celebrated with a Cherry Blossom festival, I believe Washington DC does as well. It has become such a wonderful and international event.
    xo
    styleontheside.com

    Reply
  8. Mrinmayi

    Girl you’re rocking that outfit! Those cherry blossoms are probably the biggest reason i want to visit Japan 🙂

    xx

    Reply

Leave a Reply