Pink cherry trees are in full bloom in Japan, and Tokyoites enjoy a spring walk to admire and photograph them. However, it is forbidden to do “hanami”, or look at the flowers while having a picnic in the park under the sakura (cherry blossoms), as per tradition, because, although the country has canceled all the restrictions for Covid, there are still some invitations to city residents not to let their guard down and to maintain some distancing precautions to avoid the resumption of infections.
Hanami はなみ it means “to observe the flowers” and it is the Japanese event which consists in celebrating the beauty of the flowering especially of the cherry tree (Sakura), from January to May.
The hanami has millenary origins, it is said that initially the flowers celebrated were those of the plum tree (ume) and then traditionally became the cherry trees.
Cherry trees are loved throughout Japan, and since January, predictions have been made about the flowering time in Tokyo and other cities in the Honshu region. Choosing where to admire the flowers, whether in the most famous places or in an unfamiliar corner, is part of the fun. Unfortunately this year too it will not be possible to organize your own ‘hanami’, to admire the flowers and relax, welcoming spring, all hopes are pinned for next year.
