The Best US Cities for Cherry Blossom Viewing in 2023: Hanami Festival

Cherry blossoms festivals in the US and tips on what to bring

Have you ever seen beautiful cherry blossoms in the US? Cherry blossoms or sakura in Japanese have been celebrated during their blooming season for a long time in Japan. During the spring many people visit parks or streets to see sakura, many picnic beneath the trees with family and friends. This traditional event reminds people that winter is over and a warm spring has arrived. In this post, we would like to talk about what Hanami actually is, when you can see sakura, and tell you about some places you could possibly have Hanami with friends and families in the US. You can experience Japanese traditional culture while even in the US!

Hanami started during the Nara period

Hanami means viewing flowers in Japanese, which is a springtime event where Japanese people go out to see cherry blossoms during their short season. Sakura originated from China, and Hanami started in the Nara period. During that time, Hanami was not only looking at sakura and having fun eating and drinking, but also praying for a good harvest among farmers. Cherry trees were believed to be the home of the gods of the rice fields who came down from the mountains in the spring, so the blooming of the cherry trees was used to predict the year’s harvest and to prepare for the sowing of seeds.

Japan sent sakura to the US as a gift

In the 1900s, many species of sakura trees planted in the Tokyo area were transported to research facilities around Japan to preserve their varieties and species. In 1912, Japan sent 3,000 saplings of cherry trees from the Arakawa River as a token of friendship between Japan and the US. Those trees were planted along the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is held there and attracts many visitors from all over the US and the world. 

So what do Japanese people do at Hanami

There are a variety of things to do while enjoying Hanami with your friends and family. Most people bring bento and chat with people while sitting down on the ground under sakura trees. Those of drinking age typically have alcohol. On the weekend during the sakura season, a lot of people go out to see sakura and have hanami, so the parks get really crowded. In some parks in Tokyo, there will be no space to sit down to have a hanami party with your friends because it’s too crowded. If you want to have a good spot where you can enjoy seeing the sakura, you might go earlier in the morning to claim your spot with a blanket. 

So what do you need to bring for a Hanami party? 

Here are things that Japanese people bring to Hanami, so that everyone can have fun together.

1) Cardboard box / Blue tarp

You need to sit down on the ground for a long time while having a Hanami party with your friends. The cardboard box will help you to cushion your butt and blue tarp will prevent your pants from getting wet from the humidity from the ground. 

2) Packing tape

It’s convenient to connect blue tarps and ground to make it stable. Sometimes, the wind is strong, that’s why you might want to stick tarps to the ground with tape. 

3) Pencil

When many people share food on a tarp, you often get confused where you put your plates and cups down. In order to prevent getting mixed up with someone else’s, you should write your name under your plate and cup. Sometimes, you meet someone for the first time, and imagine if you’re having and drinking different people’s food who you don’t know. It’s kind of weird.

4) Paper plates, cups, and chopsticks

You can’t forget to bring this to Hanami since you’re having a picnic with a group. It’s always better to bring a few extra. 

5) Paper/plastic bags for trash

To protect nature, please don’t leave any trash in the park. If you bring your own trash bags, it’ll be easier to clean up before leaving the park. 

6) Napkins

Napkins are very important for two reasons. First, to clean your hands after eating. Second, since there are so many people in the park during sakura season, the toilet paper in the public bathroom might have run out, so it’s wise to carry a napkin around just in case. 

7) Blanket

Depending on the year, the weather might still be a little bit chilly in March and April. If your body gets cold easily, you should bring a blanket. You will take off your shoes to sit down on the tarps, so your feet may get cold.

What are traditional Hanami foods?

There are two traditional Hanami foods that people still have during Hanami parties. They are both mochi made from rice and called Sakura mochi and Hanami mochi.

Sakura mochi

There are two types of sakura mochi depending on the region. Eastern Japan (kanto) where Tokyo is located have Chomeiji mochi. It is a pink rice cake in the shape of a crepe, wrapped around a red bean paste. Another type is called Domyouji mochi and it’s popular in western Japan (kansai). Domyoji has a sticky texture similar to that of glutinous rice, and is characterized by its small round shape. Both of these sakura mochi are wrapped in a salt-preserved cherry leaf.

It’s not necessary to have a sakura leaf with mochi, so you can take it off if you want. It’s really salty. 

Hanami dango (mochi skewers) 

Hanami dango are skewered mochis usually served in the order of pink, white, and green from the top. There is a tradition that these colors represent the changes in the cherry blossom tree, from buds to blossoms to leaves. The new buds sprout under the falling snow and the flowers blooming as the snow melts and spring arrives, expressing the joy of the long-awaited arrival of spring.

What food and drink should be brought to Hanami?

You can bring any food you like! Here are some ideas of Hanami foods. (Please also check this article about 7 must-try convenience store foods if you’re in Japan.)

• Fried chicken (karaage)
• RIce balls (Onigiri)
• Sandwich
• French fries
• Chips
• Sushi
• Japanese cabbage pancakes (Okonomiyaki)
• Sakura mochi 
• Grilled chicken skewers (Yakitori) 
• Hanami dango (mochi)
• Sake
• Beer
• Juice
• Soda
• Tea

So now you know what foods and drinks to bring to Hanami. The question then is where can you see cherry blossoms in the US? We researched some places where you can see sakura in the spring! You should definitely check them out with your friends and family!

Where to see cherry blossoms “sakura” in the US in 2021

Due to Covid-19, some festivals might be postponed or cancelled. Please check their homepages before attending. Some festivals are held online to prevent spreading the Covid-19.

Thank you for reading this post! I hope you will enjoy seeing cherry blossoms in the US and have a Hanami party with your friends and family! Have a nice day!