Hanami is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of flowers, "flower" in this case almost always means cherry blossoms or ume blossoms. From the end of March to early May, Sakura bloom all over Japan, and around the first of February on the island of Okinawa. This is a huge event for the Japanese and there are even blossom forecasts that describe the upcoming cherry blossom front so the public knows the optimal time for viewing.
This year I was fortunate enough to be in Japan for some parts of the Hanami season and got to take part in the viewing. It's difficult to miss the cherry blossom season once you're in town as cherry blossom trees are all over the city, on the sidewalks, and in every park. At the height of the bloom parts of the city are covered in white, pink, and shades of red from the blooms of the various trees. Looking out my window I couldn't help to be impressed by how many trees there are in the landscape and how much care is put into maintaining the beauty of the landscape.
Many Japanese camp out under the best Sakura trees to ensure that they keep their spot for them and their friends. Some arrive as early as daybreak, spread a tarp under the tree of their choice, then wait for the friends to arrive with drinks, food, and music. The scene in some parks is absolutely chaotic, not unlike a huge outdoor concert. There is tons of drinking and consequently drunk people, but it's all done in good clean fun.
There are numerous places in Japan where people gather for Hanami parties and it's certainly not centralized. I managed to visit 3 different parks and each had a different, unique feel. As always I will leave you with a few pics to get a better feel for Hanami in Tokyo.
