Hanami

For centuries, Japanese have admired the beauty of sakura blossoms, sometimes worshiping them as deities, other times using them as a good excuse to party.

The first mentions of celebrating the beauty of the blossoming sakura appear as early as the Kojiki (a chronicle from the early 8th century), where sakura are considered a divine power that protects Mount Fuji. According to legend, the blossoming of sakura marked the arrival of guardian deities from the mountain and the beginning of the right time for planting rice. The first Hanami, or viewing of cherry blossoms, was organized by Emperor Saga in 812, during the celebrations there was abundant feasting, poetry was written and all this while observing various cherry blossoms (from white to dark pink). Gradually, the custom of Hanami spread among aristocratic circles and more and more sakura trees were planted throughout Japan. In the first half of the 18th century, the custom of Hanami spread among ordinary residents.

Currently, as early as February, the forecast for cherry blossoms is gradually appearing in the news, and from April to May, picnics and gatherings of friends, family or work colleagues take place under the cherry trees all over Japan. Participants enjoy home-made or purchased delicacies, drink sake, sing, have fun and, above all, observe the fleeting beauty of nature, which wakes up after hibernation.

We try to offer hanami in its most authentic form in the Hanspaulka park in Prague 6 in the company of the beautiful sakura trees there.