Japan | Hanami (Cherry Blossom Festival)

Every year in the spring, often from late March to early May, the Japanese ritual of hanami is celebrated. The celebration honors the beauty of cherry blossoms (sakura), a symbol of the transient aspect of life because they bloom for just a short time. To view the flowers and partake in picnics and other celebrations, people congregate in parks, gardens, and along river banks. All ages love hanami, which is regarded as one of the most significant occasions in Japanese culture.