What is hanami?

And the momijigari?

How do Japanese people enjoy hanami?

Popular activities

On spring afternoons, people settle down in the parks full of cherry trees and picnic, drink , and sing. In addition to what everyone brings to nibble and drink, this time is also an opportunity to share street food , offered by small vendors set up in stands in the various parks.

During the hanami period, small street food vendors multiply in the parks. You can discover:

• Takoyaki: these are small, rounded octopus fritters 🐙. Known for being particularly hot, they are always served for 6 with a dose of sauces and bonito (very fine shavings of dried fish);
• Okonomiyaki: sometimes called “Japanese omelette”, okonomiyaki is a specialty of the city of Osaka. It is a kind of omelette made with cabbage, egg and cheese and covered with different condiments (ginger, bonito, mayonnaise, ketchup, etc.). There are as many recipes as there are regions and you can add whatever you like (hence its name);
• Yakisoba: Yakisobas are, as their name suggests, grilled noodles. Most often, they are coated with soy sauce and mixed with different condiments (meat, vegetables, etc.);
• Dorayaki: Dorayaki is a sweet fritter filled with a cream similar to custard or with red bean paste (Azuki). It is sometimes shaped like a fish and can be served hot or cold;
• Dango 🍡 : Dango is a Japanese pastry often served at festivals and known for its distinctive appearance: three colorful mochi balls stuck into a skewer. These slightly doughy balls are coated in a sweet, almost caramelized soy sauce;
• Mugicha: mugicha is a barley tea 🌾 often served cold at festivals. It is particularly refreshing and its caramelized taste is different from the green tea often offered in Japan. This drink also has the particularity of being theine and caffeine free, which makes it kid friendly. It is this drink that gave Charlotte, the founder of Maison Aimi, the desire to create her own version of mugicha made in France . You can discover it in our shop!

There is an official list established in 1990 by the Japanese cherry blossom association, Nihon sakura no kai, of the hundred places most famous for the beauty of their *sakura * in bloom. If you go to Japan between March and April we can only recommend you to take a look! 👁️

Because these are the most touristic cities, find here the parks of Tokyo, Yokohama, Kyoto, Osaka and Nara:

• Cherry blossom viewing in central Tokyo: Shinjuku Gyoen Park, Ueno Onshi Park and Sumida Park;
• Hanami in Yokohama: Mitsuike Park;
• Enjoy hanami in Kyoto: Arashiyama, Omuro zakura, Ninnaji Temple, Daigoji Temple;
• Cherry Blossom Viewing in Osaka: Mint, Osaka Castle Park, World Expo Park;
• Hanami in Nara: Nara Park.

Whether you've been to Japan or not, you might want to enjoy hanami in France too! After all, settling down in a park to share with your family and/or friends is pretty nice, right? Where and when to enjoy hanami in France, let's talk about it!

In France, Japanese pink cherry trees are quite rare: the trees celebrated in France are none other than gifts from Japan, then planted in France!

Below is a list of places where you can enjoy hanami in France. This list is not exhaustive: if you know other places and parks where Japanese cherry blossoms are celebrated, do not hesitate to share it with us on our social networks! We will be able to update it!

Enjoying Hanami in Paris

• Trocadéro Gardens, Paris XVI: located in the 16th arrondissement, next to the Seine and not far from the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadéro Gardens are perfect for observing cherry blossoms. The paths are lined with several varieties of trees that produce small pink flowers by the hundreds;
• Jardin des Plantes, in Paris V: this zoological garden that surrounds the Museum of Natural History of Paris is also a place where you can enjoy hanami in Paris. This place has only a few cherry trees but one of them is classified as a "remarkable tree" and produces a surprising white bloom;
• Place Pierre-Mac-Orlan, in Paris XVIII: a line of Japanese cherry trees on this square is the occasion, every year, for a meal for local residents to celebrate the cherry blossoms. This place is more restricted than the previous ones but allows for a gentle discovery;

Enjoying hanami in Ile-de-France

• Parc de Sceaux , in Sceaux, in Hauts-de-Seine: due to the presence of many cherry trees in the western part of the park, Parc de Sceaux is a meeting point for the Japanese community in France. The park hosts celebrations every year, recently joined by French people wishing to discover and celebrate this traditional festival. From now on, the estate is setting up a real system dedicated to hanami and Japanese culture : in 2024, the festival will be celebrated between March 28 and April 29, 2024;

• Arboretum de Versailles-Chevreloup , in Versailles, in the Yvelines: little known, the arboretum of Versailles-Chèvreloup is a branch of the Museum of Natural History of Paris. It is a true museum of trees. Among the collections, an Asian zone which includes a group of Japanese cherry trees whose silhouettes vary and whose flowering ranges from white to bright pink;

Enjoying Hanami in France

• Parc oriental de Maulévrier , near Cholet: This oriental park is the largest Japanese garden in Europe. You will discover 300 trees and shrubs, including cherry blossom trees. You will also like its tea room offering which will allow you to taste Japanese specialties;
• Pierre-Baudis Japanese Garden , Toulouse: The Pierre-Baudis Japanese Garden is located north of the center of Toulouse, in the Compans-Caffarelli park. It includes a lake, small islands, rocks, a tea pavilion as well as many trees and shrubs including sakura. Reopened since the beginning of March, the place is perfect for celebrating hanami .
• Île de Versailles , in Nantes: As its name does not indicate, the island of Versailles is located on the Erdre River, in Nantes. It houses a Japanese garden as well as three buildings including a traditional tea pavilion. Accessible free of charge, it allows you to enjoy hanami in Nantes.
• Parc du Suzon , in Dijon: Located north of Dijon, this traditional Japanese park is the result of a collaboration between the city and the Japanese town of Koshigaya. It also features Japanese cherry trees that bloom when spring arrives.
• Parc de la Tête d'Or, in Lyon / Villeurbanne: Well known to the people of Lyon, the large Parc de la Tête d'Or features an imposing Japanese cherry tree with pink flowers located right next to a well near the rose garden. The tree is isolated but will give you a nice glimpse of what hanami is all about (and you can set up a picnic in the park).
• Japanese Garden of Monaco , in Monaco: Created in 1994 at the request of Prince Rainier III, the Japanese garden of Monaco has all the characteristic elements of the eponymous garden – watercourses, koi carp, wooden structures... Cherry trees are therefore definitely there!

In France, Japanese cherry trees bloom in April. This is the time when you can enjoy hanami. To find out more, don't hesitate to visit the websites and social networks of the places mentioned above: they regularly share the progress of the cherry blossoms.

A traditional and cultural event in Japan, hanami has gradually spread throughout the world as Japan has offered cherry trees. Today, it is more a moment of sharing and exchange than a real cultural celebration. You can enjoy it in several places in France: don't hesitate to share your celebrations with us!