Sakura is upon us.....

Hanami (花見, “flower viewing”) is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers

By Tanja Houwerzijl

Cherry Blossom galore

Every year people are anxiously waiting for the first Sakura to bloom. The blossom forecast 桜前線 - "Sakura-senzen" is announced each year by the Weather forecast bureau, and is watched carefully by those planning "Hanami" as the blossoms only last a week or two.The last few years the famous Cherry blossoms have attracted more and more tourists to visit Japan and hang out with the locals.

People will camp out on blue tarps from early morning till late at night, enjoying food and drinks under the many cherry blossom trees. Some companies will send their new interns or youngest employees off on a mission to find a good spot under the trees in the right park. After they conquer the perfect hangout for their "Hanami" and guard it during the day, the rest of the colleagues are joining them after work for the beers and bento boxes.

The practice of "Hanami" is many centuries old, it used to be something only enjoyed by the Emperor and his entourage but nowadays everyone, from salarymen to tourists, rub shoulders with the sole purpose of having a good time. It’s an experience so uniquely Japanese.