Words Used During the Cherry Blossom Season

・お花見Ohanami (Cherry blossom viewing)
・開花kaika (flower blooming)・開花宣言kaika sengen (the official declaration of blooming)
・満開mankai (fully bloomed)
・見ごろmi-goro (best time)

Cherry blossoms bloom in spring. They are the most famous of all spring flowers in Japan. There are many places in Tokyo known for their cherry blossoms. In Tokyo, cherry blossoms bloom from the end of March to around April. Everyone is looking forward to the cherry blossoms blooming. Here are some words used during the cherry blossom season.

Ohanami means going to see cherry blossoms. People enjoy walking and eating while viewing the cherry blossoms. Many go to cherry blossom viewing events with family and friends, or as part of a company's social events. Some places light up the cherry blossoms at night. Cherry blossoms seen at night are called yozakura. It is a different kind of enjoyment than during the daytime.

 

Kaika means "flower blooming". There are sample trees to check the condition of blooming cherry blossoms. In Tokyo, there is a sample tree at Yasukuni Shrine. Kaika sengen will be announced when five or six cherry buds bloom on a sample tree. Kaika sengen means to inform people on the news that cherry blossoms have bloomed. When planning your cherry blossom viewing, please pay close attention to the news about the declaration of the blooming of cherry blossoms.

 

Man-kai is when more than 80% of the cherry blossoms have bloomed. 50% in bloom is called gobu-zaki, and when it is 30%, it is called sanbu-zaki.

 

Migoro is the best time to enjoy cherry blossoms when they are almost in full bloom (満開mankai). Although it varies from region to region, most areas are in full bloom about a week after 開花kaika宣言sengen.