| Throughout Japan, hanami is celebrated from the | | | | under the sakura trees to admire the |
| moment the first sakura (cherry blossoms) begin | | | | surroundings and enjoy the company of friends |
| to bloom, up until the very last petal falls. | | | | and loved ones, while eating traditional foods and |
| There are many ways to celebrate hanami | | | | drinking modern beers or traditional sake. |
| season, but the two most common activities are | | | | In the heart of this picnic season, it isn't unusual to |
| the blossom viewing promenades and picnics | | | | see thousands upon thousands of people tightly |
| under the trees. | | | | grouped in every park or anywhere the sakura |
| The promenades are usually in the major sakura | | | | trees are found. |
| blossoming sites, like parks, castle gardens, and | | | | In some cases, you'll see more people than |
| temple grounds, while the picnics are anywhere | | | | blossoms, and late arrivals get to play an |
| the sakura are. | | | | interesting searching game to find their friends. |
| On any given day, you'll see couples or families | | | | The basic items found at almost every picnic |
| strolling along paths lined with sakura trees, and | | | | party will be decorative plastic ground sheets, |
| groups of tourists peppered throughout the | | | | beer or sake, bento (traditional Japanese packed |
| crowds, photographing and admiring the sights in | | | | lunch), and a variety of traditional hanami foods |
| awe. | | | | like yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), dango |
| Weekdays are the best days to go out and | | | | (dumplings), sushi, and takoyaki (octopus |
| enjoy the scenery, because when the weekend | | | | dumplings). |
| hits, the chaotic fun begins. | | | | Overall, the hanami parties are great fun for |
| Weekends at all blossoming sites are completely | | | | everyone and the entire season brings people |
| packed with people. Hanami picnics in Japan are | | | | closer together between long work days and the |
| famous and enjoyed by all. It's tradition to gather | | | | rushed life in big cities. |