Inuyama City

“Hanami” literally means flower viewing, but it is much more than that to Japan’s people. Hanami signals the end of another long winter’s chill. Besides simply enjoying the beauty of flowers, especially cherry blossoms (桜 sakura), hanami means time spent with friends and family outdoors with copious food and drinks, to excess by the younger generations of Japan. The practice is so popular that finding and securing a good spot in a popular park during the peak season may require arriving the day before and camping out on one. The experience is different depending on where and who you go with, but it feels like the entire country collectively casts off the winter in a sudden rush of energy. Hanami is a picnic, though with the flowers and often lights and music, it is more like a picnic at a festival. You are golden if you can get yourself a spot, some gear, and some friends to enjoy it all with. Here is a list of things to bring and some basic rules, followed by Nagoya’s top five hanami spots! Must have Hanami Gear Picnic sheet (plastic tarp, bamboo straw, etc.) to sit and eat on Thin cushion for sitting,…