Sakura Blossom Festival in Japan: Main Features. Japanese cherry blossom festival Sakura blossom festival

With the arrival of spring, unusual spring carnivals and holidays start in different countries, and Japan has not stayed away from the fun. "O-hanami", as the Japanese themselves call the period from March to April. Hanami is the holiday of cherry blossoms in this country. We will talk about this in our article.

Japan is a land of the rising sun, rich in numerous attractions: marvelous temples, luxurious palaces, but the Japanese who profess Shintoism - the worship of the elements of nature, value other things much more, sincerely believing that everything that a person has created with his own hands can never be compared in importance with the creation of nature. In summer, they admire the fields of blooming irises, in autumn they do not take their eyes off the lush chrysanthemums and the moon, which is bright and large at this time of year, in winter they admire the first snow, well, and in spring they admire the blossoming sakura, celebrating the Hanami holiday. The word "Hanami" means "admiring flowers." This is a national tradition sacredly revered by the Japanese. At this time, almost all the inhabitants of Japan come to look at the sakura blooming in parks, gardens, alleys, squares. They come with whole families, for the convenience of observation, take with them plastic rugs, sake, beer, snacks and get physical and aesthetic pleasure at the same time. The Japanese love to take photographs, so they bring cameras here to capture this fast-passing beauty for a long time.

Hanami- The cherry blossom holiday is not considered an official holiday in Japan, it is not marked on the calendar, there are no days off, but the time of this holiday is a very important psychological moment for every Japanese. At this time, tourists from all over the world come to Japan to also join in admiring the blooming and fragrant sakura. Sitting in silence in the park these days is simply incredible, as it will be flooded with crowds of people, both in the daytime and in the evening. The Japanese authorities are doing everything to encourage tourism at this time: after six o'clock in the evening, all sakura trees are illuminated with illumination, which gives the parks an atmosphere of romance and mystery.

We told you the approximate time of the beginning of hanami - the holiday of cherry blossoms, but the official starting point of its start is considered to be the time of blooming of the first cherry blossoms in the ancient Buddhist temple Yasukuni in the capital of Japan - Tokyo. As soon as the first pink flowers emerge from the buds, the meteorological service notifies all Japanese about the beginning of cherry blossom. Sakura blooms for about a couple of weeks. But since the territory of Japan stretches from north to south, the blooming time of sakura differs: if in the southern part of the country - on the island of Kyushu and the island of Okinawa, it begins to bloom in February, then in the northern part of Japan - on the island of Honshu - it blooms in early May , and residents of the northern prefectures of the country - Akita, Iwate, Aomori, can watch the cherry blossoms in the tenths of May.

The history of admiring cherry blossoms began at the court of the Japanese emperors of the Heian era, which lasted from 794 to 1185. Refined aristocrats, sophisticated in the grace of their manners, spent many hours under the blossoming cherry trees, whiling away the time by folding poetry and philosophical conversations. The short but brilliant sakura bloom, they compared with the transience of human life.

Today, to celebrate Hanami, the holiday of cherry blossoms, funny festivals are held in Japanese cities at this time. For example, in the city of Kyoto, there are Sakura Evenings, when guests of the country and local residents participate in the "cherry dances" and admire the demonstration of outfits from the Heian imperial era. In the city of Nara, a "sakura parade" is held, all its participants carry twigs of cherry blossoms in their hands. The city of Koriyama is proud to have the oldest cherry blossom in Japan, which is six centuries old. The time of its bloom is eagerly awaited by both locals and guests of the city. In Japan, there is a special website that reports in real time the state of cherry blossoms in different Japanese regions and cities.

In Tokyo, cherry blossoms usually bloom in early April, filling the streets of the city with a marvelous delicate scent. On television, people are beginning to inform the population about the cherry blossoms in different parts of the city, they talk about the number of cherry trees in each park, they show interviews with passers-by who compare the current flowering with last year. The most popular place to admire Hanami in Tokyo is the beautiful Shinjukugeen National Park, in the Shinjuku region, there are fifteen hundred cherry trees growing there, which have seventy-five varieties. The imperial couple of Japan are present at the inauguration ceremony of Hanami in this park. Ueno Park is also quite popular - the largest park in Tokyo, whose area is six hundred twenty six thousand square meters, there are one thousand one hundred sakura trees. The Sumida Park is also famous, with four hundred cherry trees, which are illuminated by unique illumination in the evenings.

It can be difficult for European tourists to understand the meaning of Hanami, the holiday of cherry blossoms, as they are not familiar with Japanese culture and traditions, but, nevertheless, travelers come, even from other continents. And the Japanese themselves are happy to share this unforgettable sight with foreigners, believing that even without understanding the depth of the meaning of their national holiday, people admire the fragrant sakura and participate in Hanami.

Japan. It is held annually during the flowering period of the sakura tree common in Japan.

The time for Hanami is not constant, it depends on weather conditions, usually it is the end of March or the beginning of April. Since in the south of Japan, sakura blooms earlier, and later in the north.

These days, the Japanese with their families go to places where sakura grows and admire the flowering, arranging a kind of picnics in nature.

Hanami tradition

Sakura is a kind of national symbol of Japan. A great many poems and songs are dedicated to this so short-lived flowering tree in Japan. The flowering time of the Japanese is considered special. These days everything around is covered with amazing white and pink flowers.

The people rejoice and in every possible way are trying to spend these days as best as possible, bring joy to family and friends and rejoice at the very arrival of spring. All the gardens of the Land of the Rising Sun, of which there are quite a few, are incredibly transformed.

Thousands of trees seem to be shrouded in clouds or covered with snowflakes. In the country at this time, the holiday of Hanami is widely celebrated, which in Japanese means "looking at flowers."

Where did this veneration for this, quite common in other countries, period come from? What is the reason for this? In Buddhism, this phenomenon of such a short-term sakura bloom is considered a kind of symbol, a constant reminder to people of the frailty and impermanence of being. Indeed, sometimes one small gust of wind is enough, and delicate flowers, not yet having time to fully bloom, will fall to the ground.

In the ancient writings already in the seventh century, since the reign of the Tang dynasty, it is mentioned that the Hanami festival was held at this time by members of the imperial family. Since in the Land of the Rising Sun the emperor was idolized and tried to imitate him in everything, this holiday began to be celebrated, close to the imperial family, the nobility, then samurai began to celebrate it, and then the entire population of the empire. For this day, they prepared treats, wrote poems and songs, feasted and had fun, praising God for the joy in the form of this beautiful flowering of nature.

Over the centuries, this unusual holiday has become a national tradition. The sakura blossom meant for all people not only the arrival of spring, but also the beginning of the rice planting time, it was identified with the future rich harvest. The Japanese believed in the power of cherry blossoms, worshiped him as a deity, presented him with ritual gifts.

To strengthen this tradition, during the Tokugawa dynasty, plum trees were ordered to be planted throughout the empire. Blooming sakura, at some time, began to be considered a symbol of real samurai and their way of life. This was the reason that in the 19th century, in the era of "enlightened rule" and the reforms of Emperor Mutsuhito Meiji, sakura, as a symbol of feudalism, began to be mercilessly cut down. But time passed, and the holiday of "admiring sakura flowers" was revived again, but already as a symbol of the new life of the Japanese people. Today Hanami is one of the most beloved folk holidays in Japan.

Actually, although sakura refers to cherries, it does not bear fruit, it is a purely decorative tree. There are quite a few varieties, but the most famous are the someyoshino, which blooms with white flowers, and the weeping shidarezakura, which has pink flowers. The Japanese believe that the most beautiful sakura grows in Kyoto, in Nara and Kamakura.

The time when sakura begins to bloom is almost impossible to determine. Moreover, the Japanese islands are located in both subtropical and temperate latitudes. In southern Okinawa, sakura often begins to bloom in late January, early February, in northern Hokkaido, sakura sometimes blooms only in May. In addition, the duration of sakura blossoms often changes. In a warm year, cherries begin to bloom a week, two earlier, in a cold year, the same period later.

It is generally accepted that sakura blooms in Tokyo from March 27 to April 7, and in Osaka - from April 5 to 13. So the flowering season can last almost a month, gradually moving from the south to the north of the country. Often, wealthy Japanese people follow and participate in festivities in several regions.

Usually, sakura flowers are open for no more than a week, so predictions of sakura blossoms are very popular among the Japanese population. Meteorologists are constantly monitoring the "Cherry Blossom Front". They write about this in newspapers, report on television, give information on social networks.

The Hanami celebration in Japan is universal. No Japanese would miss the cherry blossoms for any reason. Usually, families or in the company of relatives and friends go to admire the cherry blossoms. Moreover, this is, so to speak, a legitimate reason to leave work early and have fun in the company of colleagues. Some companies organize khans as corporate events for their employees in order to build a team.

People easily sit on the grass in parks, gardens and squares. They arrange picnics here on the ground, spreading blankets or rugs on the lawns. Often, a certain company chooses a place for their picnic ahead of time and in the morning sets up a sentry who watches until they arrive so that others do not occupy him.

Impromptu "tables" are set with treats and drinks, in honor of Hanami, many drink sake, but often other entertaining drinks. Quite often, picnics take place at night, and then, in the light of specially hung lanterns, the blooming sakura is especially beautiful.

At this time, a mass of tourists who want to take part in this event flock to Japan to celebrate "Hanami" at this time. This is perhaps the peak of the influx of foreigners. But the Japanese usually prepare for this, by any means freeing up places in hotels for this time, often even evicting their fellow tribesmen. A holiday is a holiday, and business is a business. In one week, "hanami" enterprising Japanese make a two-month profit.

In Tokyo, a special headquarters is established for the time of the Hanami celebration, which is in charge of the whole picture of the holiday. The headquarters informs in advance through the media about the beginning of the flowering season in each city. The official hanami starts at Tokyo's Shinjuku Central Park. The holiday is opened by the imperial family, members of the government and celebrities. Often, heads of other states are among the invited.

During the cherry blossom celebration, many travel agencies in Russia organize special tours. We strongly advise you to visit this world famous holiday. Enjoy your stay!

Japan. It is held annually during the flowering period of the sakura tree common in Japan.

The time for Hanami is not constant, it depends on weather conditions, usually it is the end of March or the beginning of April. Since in the south of Japan, sakura blooms earlier, and later in the north.

These days, the Japanese with their families go to places where sakura grows and admire the flowering, arranging a kind of picnics in nature.

Hanami tradition

Sakura is a kind of national symbol of Japan. A great many poems and songs are dedicated to this so short-lived flowering tree in Japan. The flowering time of the Japanese is considered special. These days everything around is covered with amazing white and pink flowers.

The people rejoice and in every possible way are trying to spend these days as best as possible, bring joy to family and friends and rejoice at the very arrival of spring. All the gardens of the Land of the Rising Sun, of which there are quite a few, are incredibly transformed.

Thousands of trees seem to be shrouded in clouds or covered with snowflakes. In the country at this time, the holiday of Hanami is widely celebrated, which in Japanese means "looking at flowers."

Where did this veneration for this, quite common in other countries, period come from? What is the reason for this? In Buddhism, this phenomenon of such a short-term sakura bloom is considered a kind of symbol, a constant reminder to people of the frailty and impermanence of being. Indeed, sometimes one small gust of wind is enough, and delicate flowers, not yet having time to fully bloom, will fall to the ground.

In the ancient writings already in the seventh century, since the reign of the Tang dynasty, it is mentioned that the Hanami festival was held at this time by members of the imperial family. Since in the Land of the Rising Sun the emperor was idolized and tried to imitate him in everything, this holiday began to be celebrated, close to the imperial family, the nobility, then samurai began to celebrate it, and then the entire population of the empire. For this day, they prepared treats, wrote poems and songs, feasted and had fun, praising God for the joy in the form of this beautiful flowering of nature.

Over the centuries, this unusual holiday has become a national tradition. The sakura blossom meant for all people not only the arrival of spring, but also the beginning of the rice planting time, it was identified with the future rich harvest. The Japanese believed in the power of cherry blossoms, worshiped him as a deity, presented him with ritual gifts.

To strengthen this tradition, during the Tokugawa dynasty, plum trees were ordered to be planted throughout the empire. Blooming sakura, at some time, began to be considered a symbol of real samurai and their way of life. This was the reason that in the 19th century, in the era of "enlightened rule" and the reforms of Emperor Mutsuhito Meiji, sakura, as a symbol of feudalism, began to be mercilessly cut down. But time passed, and the holiday of "admiring sakura flowers" was revived again, but already as a symbol of the new life of the Japanese people. Today Hanami is one of the most beloved folk holidays in Japan.

Actually, although sakura refers to cherries, it does not bear fruit, it is a purely decorative tree. There are quite a few varieties, but the most famous are the someyoshino, which blooms with white flowers, and the weeping shidarezakura, which has pink flowers. The Japanese believe that the most beautiful sakura grows in Kyoto, in Nara and Kamakura.

The time when sakura begins to bloom is almost impossible to determine. Moreover, the Japanese islands are located in both subtropical and temperate latitudes. In southern Okinawa, sakura often begins to bloom in late January, early February, in northern Hokkaido, sakura sometimes blooms only in May. In addition, the duration of sakura blossoms often changes. In a warm year, cherries begin to bloom a week, two earlier, in a cold year, the same period later.

It is generally accepted that sakura blooms in Tokyo from March 27 to April 7, and in Osaka - from April 5 to 13. So the flowering season can last almost a month, gradually moving from the south to the north of the country. Often, wealthy Japanese people follow and participate in festivities in several regions.

Usually, sakura flowers are open for no more than a week, so predictions of sakura blossoms are very popular among the Japanese population. Meteorologists are constantly monitoring the "Cherry Blossom Front". They write about this in newspapers, report on television, give information on social networks.

The Hanami celebration in Japan is universal. No Japanese would miss the cherry blossoms for any reason. Usually, families or in the company of relatives and friends go to admire the cherry blossoms. Moreover, this is, so to speak, a legitimate reason to leave work early and have fun in the company of colleagues. Some companies organize khans as corporate events for their employees in order to build a team.

People easily sit on the grass in parks, gardens and squares. They arrange picnics here on the ground, spreading blankets or rugs on the lawns. Often, a certain company chooses a place for their picnic ahead of time and in the morning sets up a sentry who watches until they arrive so that others do not occupy him.

Impromptu "tables" are set with treats and drinks, in honor of Hanami, many drink sake, but often other entertaining drinks. Quite often, picnics take place at night, and then, in the light of specially hung lanterns, the blooming sakura is especially beautiful.

At this time, a mass of tourists who want to take part in this event flock to Japan to celebrate "Hanami" at this time. This is perhaps the peak of the influx of foreigners. But the Japanese usually prepare for this, by any means freeing up places in hotels for this time, often even evicting their fellow tribesmen. A holiday is a holiday, and business is a business. In one week, "hanami" enterprising Japanese make a two-month profit.

In Tokyo, a special headquarters is established for the time of the Hanami celebration, which is in charge of the whole picture of the holiday. The headquarters informs in advance through the media about the beginning of the flowering season in each city. The official hanami starts at Tokyo's Shinjuku Central Park. The holiday is opened by the imperial family, members of the government and celebrities. Often, heads of other states are among the invited.

During the cherry blossom celebration, many travel agencies in Russia organize special tours. We strongly advise you to visit this world famous holiday. Enjoy your stay!

Hanami is a national Japanese tradition of admiring flowers that has long become an integral part of Japanese culture. Hanami usually does not last long, a little over a week, but due to the difference in climate between northern and southern prefectures, in general the Japanese can enjoy blooming for more than two months. The most famous hanami is cherry blossom viewing, but the first to bloom in Japan is the ume (Japanese plum). And after that, sakura blossoms with its beautiful delicate pink petals.

During this period, all Japanese people spend a lot of time outside, admiring the flowering trees and taking photographs in an attempt to capture their short-lived beauty. Even office workers, along with their leaders, go out of the offices these days to spend time in the fresh air.

People stock up on rugs, snacks, drinks and head to the parks to enjoy the cherry blossoms and spend time with friends and family. Hanami can be admired not only during the day. In the evening, paper lanterns are hung under and between the trees, which illuminate them beautifully, creating a fabulous atmosphere.

The hanami report on the beginning on TV, write in newspapers and magazines, telling in detail in which area the cherry blossom is coming to an end, and in which one is just beginning, and about the number of trees in a particular park.

• The hanami tradition originated at the imperial court. She received special distribution in the Heian era, when the nobility could afford to travel around the country in order to continuously enjoy flowering. And during the Edo period, the tradition of admiring sakura flowers spread everywhere, firmly entering the national culture.
• The most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in the city are Shinjukugyoen Park, Ueno Park, and the park.

Special attention

• In Tokyo, hanami falls in early April.

Video about hanami

The cherry blossom season is a holiday for the Japanese. It is held annually in late March and early April. It is customary to spend this day with your family in nature or in parks.

Hanami - a festival dedicated to observing cherry blossoms

In Japan, spring comes when the whole country is painted white and pink. So sakura blossoms... The Japanese call it wild cherry or mountain cherry. These flowers are considered the national symbol of the country and embody all the beauty of Japanese women. In Japan, sakura blooms everywhere - in the mountains and on the banks of rivers and in parks, in total there are more than 300 different species.

Hanami - a holiday of admiring cherry blossoms

The Japanese are so fascinated by the beauty of cherry blossoms that they have introduced in their country the ritual of admiring this tree - hanami. This is everyone's favorite holiday. Starts sakura blossom annually at the end of March. To enjoy this breathtaking sight, the Japanese travel to nearby parks. The day for khanami observation is considered a day off.

Before the holiday is approaching, all media reports when the cherry blossoms will begin to bloom, and in what places it is best to observe this process. According to approximate data, in Tokyo, it begins to bloom in late March-early April, in Kyoto - from April 4 to 16, in Osaka - from April 5 to 13, in Sapporo - from April 12 to 20.

Lasts cherry blossom a few days, and sometimes only a few hours, and the Japanese associate this with the transience of everything earthly. This period is a great excuse to make a trip to Japan. Warm weather can accelerate flowering, while cold weather can slow it down.

Khanami festivals are very popular among the population of the country - after all, this is a great reason to spend time with family and friends. Some Japanese even travel to the cities of the country, in each of them observing cherry blossom.

History of the Hanami holiday

The history of the holiday dates back to about 17 centuries. At that time, it was held for aristocrats, and later the common people joined the admiration of sakura. During the Tokugawa era, they began to plant it throughout the country in order to observe cherry blossom could as many people as possible, and in the Meiji era, on the contrary, cut down, since these trees began to be considered a symbol of feudalism. But this did not last long, and hanami became a favorite holiday of the Japanese.

Sakura and the latest technology

Period cherry blossom is very short, but the Japanese have come up with a way to extend it by creating an artificial tree. On its branches there are not fresh flowers, but burning LEDs. Also for those who wish not only to see constantly, but also to feel the scent cherry blossom- exhibitions of scented paintings are organized in museums.