As the season turns cooler and we prepare our precious annual leaves for the next year, many of us make it a point to visit Japan for the ever-elusive sakura blooming season.

While to us, the seas of pink is a breathtaking sight, there’s much more to the tradition of appreciating spring for the locals. Ohanami (or cherry blossom flower viewing) is one of them.

Though it seems straightforward enough to just have a picnic under the trees, there is a whole list of do’s and don’ts that you might not know about.

DAMAGE

It goes without saying that you shouldn’t damage the trees in any way at all. While it seems obvious and almost “duh”-worthy enough, it’s still important to reiterate that the trees are meant for everyone’s enjoyment. Do not hang or place any belongings on the trunks or branches, or even scratch or draw on any surface of the tree.

You’ve probably seen a few videos of terrible tourists that shake or even kick the trees and branches to create a petal shower, all for the sake of a few selfies. Some even break off branches to bring back as souvenirs.

DRINKING

With an amazing view and a generous spread of food on an easy-going afternoon, Ohanami makes for the perfect time to kick back and catch up with your friends. Chances are, you’re not the only one shares the same sentiment, as with the other hanami-goers. All it takes is for one person to have had too much to drink to ruin the atmosphere for everyone, so do control your alcohol intake.

LITTER

Japan’s clean streets are just one of the many reasons why we love them, and when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Littering is not just illegal, but downright rude as well. Most public areas in Japan don’t provide garbage bins either, so the most acceptable way to clean up is to bring the trash home to sort and recycle accordingly.

MATS

While certain popular spots such as parks might have blue tarps set up for hanami viewers, most areas don’t provide mats so it’s recommended to bring your own. A sheet or a blanket works just fine if you don’t plan on buying a picnic mat just for this.

PHOTOS

Rather than bringing home any physical souvenirs, the best memorabilia would be photos. Considering how it’s such a special event, it’s highly encouraged to take as many photos as possible. Though do keep in mind not to disturb the rest by obstructing the pathways.

PICNICS

It’s also common to see locals preparing picnic baskets just for ohanami parties. Most of them pack small bites such as karaage or sandwiches, but if you don’t have time to cook anything in advance, convenient shops are the perfect place to hit up for some last minute purchases.

RULES & REGULATIONS

Every province, town and park have their own specific set of rules and regulations to abide by. Do make it a point to research ahead, as some places might have additional clauses not present elsewhere. This is especially so if you’re planning on having a barbeque.

SPACE-HOGGING

No one likes hoggers. Sure, it’s nice to have a lot of space, but there’s a lot of people who need that space too. Take up only as much space as you need for the number of people you have with you, and though it’s alright to save a space in advance, don’t go overboard by reserving the same spot for longer than necessary.

TRANSPORT

Chances are, you’ll be travelling around by public transport. As ohanami parties can carry on into the wee hours of the night, we advise checking to see when the last train is, least of all you get stranded on the street. After all, taxis are extremely expensive, and who knows if you’ll even find one in the area.

TREE ROOTS

Perhaps one of the less obvious things to note is that Sakura tree roots are particularly fragile. While we might think it’s alright as long as we don’t pick flowers or break branches, by sitting on stepping on the roots of the tree, we damage it by giving it unnecessary pressure. Do your best to distance yourselves from the trees when enjoying the view, regardless of sitting or walking.

Every Spring, the world flocks to Japan for hanami (the act of cherry blossoms appreciation). The city will be coloured pink; cherry and plum blossom trees line the streets and the entire city is magically transformed into a flower paradise.

Tokyo, in particular, plays host to a big crowd of visitors from all over the world who bask in the beauty of the blooms. It is a phenomenal experience, and it is a sheer sight to behold. One cannot simply rely on pictures to see the beauty; being in Japan for hanami is essential to take in all the beauty and to witness the splendour of Spring.

There are many spots in Tokyo for hanami, and as much as there will be crowds, it will be worth your while. So if you’re heading to Tokyo this Spring, here are some popular spots where cherry blossom trees can be found in abundance.

SHINJUKU GYOEN NATIONAL GARDEN

This is undisputedly the most popular cherry blossom destination in Tokyo where cherry blossom trees can be seen at every corner. There is an entrance fee but it will be well worth the money spent.

Within Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, there are different types of sakura trees, and in Spring, the whole park is livened up with pinks of different hues. It is also a common spot for picnics and photoshoots.

YOYOGI PARK

Just farther up from Meiji-jingu is Yoyogi Park, another crowded cherry blossom spot during Spring because the locals love having picnics under the sakura trees. Expect over 600 sakura trees that boast mainly pale pink blooms. Food stands are also available within the park so you don’t have to bring your own.

Photo Credit: Tokyo in Pics

AOYAMA CEMETERY

Do not be spooked; this cemetery is actually a calm sanctuary and during Spring, it actually gets pretty crowded so you’d never be alone. There are hundreds of cherry blossom trees lining the straight road that cuts through the cemetery.

It is, after all, a graveyard so be mindful of your activity and noise level here. The locals usually keep their hanami activities quiet so as to respect the dead.

UENO PARK

Ueno Park is a family-friendly park in Tokyo that has more than just sakura. There is a whole row of street stalls where you can get a variety of Japanese snacks such as crab sticks, grilled octopus, takoyaki etc.

At the end of the park is a small pond where you can rent boats in the shape of swans. You’d see families peddling the boats and the kids really do love the sight of “swans” in the ponds against the hundreds of sakura trees!

CHIDORIGA-FUCHI

This is our favourite spot for hanami in Tokyo. Chidoriga-fuchi used to be pretty under the radar, but in recent years, it has gained popularity mainly from its boat rental. You might have seen pictures of people on the iconic blue boat, riding through the river that’s densely lined with sakura trees on both ends. It is a magnificent sight and we always return to this spot when we find ourselves in Tokyo for Spring. Be prepared to wait in line for hours for the boat, though.

Hanami doesn’t stop there. Take a stroll in the park where you find even more sakura trees, many of which are weeping kind where the cherry blossoms hang really low, making it the perfect backdrop for your selfies. But please do not pluck the flowers!

Photo Credit: Toshiro Gamo

KOISHIKAWA KORAKUEN

Koishikawa Korakuen is one of Japan’s most popular traditional Japanese landscape garden. It was built in the early Edo period (1600-1867). Koishikawa is the district in which the garden is located in, and the garden was named ‘Korakuen’ after a poem encouraging a ruler to enjoy pleasure only after achieving happiness for his people.

The garden features several early blooming weeping cherry trees around the garden’s entrance gate, most prominently a weeping cherry blossom tree that blooms a few days earlier than all the other trees.

Photo Credit: Ambassadors Japan

ASAKUSA

Asakusa is another extremely popular spot in Tokyo for hanami. The landmark Senso-ji has sakura trees lining the front of its Hozomon Gate at Nakamise Street. It is not uncommon to see locals strolling the streets of Asakusa in their kimonos. If you’d love to don one, there are several rental shops in the vicinity too.

With Tokyo Sky Tree just behind Asakusa, you can also get photos of cherry blossoms “draping” the famous Tokyo tower.

Photo Credit: Good Luck Trip Japan

SUMIDA PARK

Farther up from Asakusa is Sumida Park, a common spot for hanami for visitors to Asakusa. Sumida Park stretches for a few hundred meters along both sides of Sumida River and hanami can also be enjoyed from boats that cruise the river.

Food stands are also available within Sumida Park.

MEGURO PARK

This is another perennial favourite of ours. Meguro River is exceptionally stunning both in the day and at night, with more than 800 trees lining the canal that stretches a few hundred meters. The trees will all light up when night falls.

There isn’t a designated spot for hanami but there are many “intervals” along the canal where you can stop for photos.

Photo Credit: JW Web Magazine

ASUKAYAMA PARK

This hilltop public park is one of Tokyo’s oldest hanami spots. It is extremely popular among locals and today, several hundred trees dot the park, hence creating many picnic spots.

The trees here also light up in the evening.