HANAMI is a gathering of Japanese friends, families, and colleagues under cherry blossoms to appreciate their beauty while eating and drinking. HANAMI is said to have originated among the nobles of the Nara Period (710 - 794) as the pastime of appreciating plum trees. Later, in the Heian Period (794 - 1185), the tradition of “Cherry Blossom Viewing” as we know it today was established. The blossoming of the cherry petals takes only about two weeks, at most. The brief, recurring, beautiful process from the opening of the buds to the shedding of the petals evokes fleetingness of life. The grace of the flowers as they show themselves and quickly vanish has been universally loved as a motif embodying Japan's unique sense of beauty.
A typical HANAMI gathering used to be held with “HANAMI Dango” and “HANAMI Boxed Lunches,” but the association of the event with drinking parties has steadily grown since the Showa Period. HANAMI gatherings at night, “YOZAKURA,” are now regarded as the best parties. All too often nowadays, people describe springtime drinking celebrations as “HANAMI” even when no cherry blossoms are to be seen.