hanami (Page 8)
There’s nothing better than eating pink sakura treats while gazing up at their beautiful blossoms.
Hanami flower-viewing season begins nine days earlier than average as the city’s official “sample tree” sprouts its first blossoms.
Sakura speculation map and dates for each prefecture in Japan released by Japan Weather Association.
This quick and easy technique for spotting a soon-to-fall blossom is surprising even the most ardent cherry blossom lovers in Japan.
It’s time to picnic under the trees and bask in the fleeting moment of beauty.
For those of us unable to go see the cherry blossoms in person, how about a new style of flower-viewing… without the actual flowers?
Enjoy the best of the cherry blossom viewing season with this list of the top spots to see sakura around the country.
One of the most magical events of the season combines traditional bathing with the iconic blossoms of spring.
This matcha and sakura cake collection has been specially designed for cherry blossom viewing parties.
People around the country are sharing stunning photos of the early-blossoming sakura in full bloom.
Because you might be too old to play with your food, but you’re not too old to play with your glasses.
Of all the beautiful sights in Japan, there is nothing quite like cherry blossoms blooming in spring. As soon as the winds of winter end, these tiny buds start growing and cities are filled with various shades of pink. However the cherry blossom season is very short, and just as soon as the sakura have come, they’re falling off the trees in a downpour of petals.
But when these petals fall into a river, or cover a paved street, another magical sight can be enjoyed. Let us show you another way you can enjoy cherry blossoms once they have blown off the tree with breathtaking pictures of hanaikada, cherry blossoms floating atop a river.
Congratulations, you’ve made it through another winter in (hopefully) one piece! Spring is here and much of the northern hemisphere is enjoying the first signs of new greenery and Japan’s favorite flower, sakura (cherry blossom), are starting to decorate the landscape.
The only thing better than relaxing under the sakura trees is relaxing under the sakura trees while consuming one of many delicious sakura flavored goodies. But you have to get them quickly, because they are as fleeting as the flowers themselves.
Cherry blossom time in Japan is all about appreciating nature and the transitive beauty of life, right? Wrong. It’s totally an excuse to stuff your face with delicious food during “cherry blossom viewing parties”, aka Japan’s über-picnics! Onigiri are usually a popular food to consume under those canopies of candy-pink petals, but cherry blossom-flavoured food and drinks are also unsurprisingly popular around this time of year.
Luckily, mega-popular chain Magnolia Bakery has a store in Japan, and they’re rolling out special cherry blossom cupcakes for spring!
MOST POPULAR
Today
Japan’s Suica Penguin character is “graduating”, and you can choose its successor
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’s remake can be played with an actual ocarina [Video]
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Converse Japan releases green tea cup sneakers so you can wear your love for sushi on your feet
Starbucks Japan unveils new Chilled Cup drinks for autumn
Anime magical girls grow to gigantic size with new Madoka Magica plushies [Photos]
Tokyo ward looking to change lodging laws, ban more than half of its Airbnb-style rentals
New Japanese ice cream is Ballin, in more ways than one
Mister Donut releases new sweet potato doughnuts in Japan, and we’ve ranked them from best to worst
Okinawa man convinced he won 700 million yen by scammers, saved by convenience store staff
Weekly
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Lego PlayStation recreates Sony’s original console, makes unusual choice for games to salute
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Japan’s first fall color forecast for 2026 is here!
Starbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026- Tokyo ward looking to change lodging laws, ban more than half of its Airbnb-style rentals
New Pokémon anniversary song is 22 minutes long, features all 1,025 Pokémon species [Video]
New Japanese convenience store rice balls taste like instant noodles [Taste test]
Japan’s revolving sushi restaurant king Sushiro coming to U.S. this fall with high prices, no tipping
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
Monthly
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors- Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Anime magical girls grow to gigantic size with new Madoka Magica plushies [Photos]
Tokyo ward looking to change lodging laws, ban more than half of its Airbnb-style rentals
New Japanese ice cream is Ballin, in more ways than one
Mister Donut releases new sweet potato doughnuts in Japan, and we’ve ranked them from best to worst
Okinawa man convinced he won 700 million yen by scammers, saved by convenience store staff
Tokyo’s red-light district cafe lets you dine inside a real 1960s cabaret
Uniqlo’s sister brand will be waiting with Pokémon sweaters and parkas this fall [Pics]
New Transforming Business Card case brings anime mecha to Japanese work meetings
Starbucks Japan proves Pumpkin Spice is NOT dead, with a new take for autumn
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
A friendly reminder not to accidentally get squid sperm in your mouth, it hurts
Studio Ghibli adds new finger puppets to its anime merchandise collection in Japan
Starbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026
Shinto shrine gate parfaits that tell your fortune now being served in Tokyo
-
