The Cherry Blossom festival is a soiree of pink and white flowers that cover Japan, China, Korea and Washington DC.
Hanami or the Cherry Blossom Festival, is traditionally a Japanese festival cherishing the beauty of hana, meaning flower, in this case referring to the flower of cherry (sakura).
The Cherry Blossom festival has the centuries old tradition of partying outdoor under the cherry trees during the one or two weeks they blossom. Hanami, celebrated during the night time, is called yozakura. Places like Ueno Park in Japan, are decorated with paper lanterns.
Celebrated mostly in Japan, Korea and China, the National Cherry Blossom Festival found its place in the United States when the Mayor Yukio Ozaki gifted 3000 Japanese cherry trees to Washington DC, as a mark of the growing friendship between Japan and the United States.
1. Women reflected in a window as they view cherry blossom trees
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Women are reflected in a window as they view cherry blossom trees in full bloom on Meguro River, on April 1, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. The Japanese Meteorological Agency tracked the Sakura (cherry blossom front). Thousands of people gather across Tokyo to take part in 'Hanami' (Flower-viewing parties) the centuries old tradition of partying under a blooming Sakura tree.
2. Cats resting at the festival
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Cats rest on a branch of fully-bloomed cherry blossoms at Ueno Park on April 3, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. Flower viewing or 'Hanami' in Japanese is the national pastime of this time of the season in Japan.
3. Sakura in full bloom
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Cherry trees in full bloom during the government hosted cherry blossom viewing party at Shinjuku Gyoen park in Tokyo, Japan.
4. A view of the Tokyo Tower
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Tokyo Tower is seen surrounded by cherry blossoms in full bloom at Zojoji Temple in Tokyo, Japan.
5. Blooming cherry blossom trees at Chidorigafuchi in Tokyo
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Boats are seen under blooming cherry blossom trees at Chidorigafuchi in Tokyo, Japan. The Cherry blossom season begins in Okinawa in January and moves north through February peaking in Kyoto and Tokyo at the end of March and lasting just over a week.
6. Women pose under the cherry blossoms
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Ladies pose for portraits under the cherry blossom trees at Ueno park on April 1, 2016 in Tokyo, Japan. During cherry blossom season thousands of people gather across Japan to practice 'Hanami,' picnicking under a blooming Sakura tree to enjoy food and drinks.
7. Youido blossom festival
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South Koreans walk beneath lit cherry blossoms at the Youido blossom festival near the national assembly at night in Seoul, South Korea. Cherry blossoms are in full-bloom at mid-April in South Korea.
8. Near national assembly, Seoul
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South Koreans walk beneath cherry blossoms at the Youido blossom festival near the national assembly in Seoul, South Korea.
9. Couples poses with cherry blossoms
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Couples posing for a photograph at the Youido blossom festival near the national assembly, in Seoul, South Korea.
10. Seoul at night
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South Koreans walk beneath lit cherry blossoms at the Youido blossom festival near the national assembly at night in Seoul, South Korea.
11. At the Washington Monument
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With the Washington Monument in the background, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom along the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. Occasional rain and gray skies does not deter crowds from visiting the blossoms at their peak.
