What is “Ohanami”? It literally means “flower viewing.” It is the ancient Japanese custom of enjoying flowers (hana) blossoming in springtime. It mainly refers to cherry blossoms. From the end of March to early May sakura (cherry blossoms) bloom all over Japan. From young to old the entire nation goes into celebration mode! It’s a very important time for the Japanese people to take a break from their grueling work schedules and drink, sing, relax and enjoy each others company in nature.
The idea is very simple. You gather a group of friends, family or co-workers and go to a park or a temple grounds and have a picnic underneath the cherry trees. The blossoms are very transient and only last one or two weeks which makes ohanami even more special.
Ohanami has been the subject of Japanese poetry and art for hundreds of years. Below is an example of a short poem about the cherry blossoms.
Sleeping under the trees on Yoshino mountain
The spring breeze wearing Cherry blossom petals
~ Saigyo
A beautiful Ukiyo-e wood block carving on cherry blossoms.