As spring approaches in Japan, the weather is gradually getting warmer, and you can feel the season changing. It’s no longer cold enough to wear coats or scarves. People are starting to wear lighter clothes in shades of pink, yellow, and beige, reflecting the spring vibe.
In March, the first flowers to bloom are the plum blossoms, with their beautiful pink hues and lovely fragrance. Once the plum blossoms fade, it’s time for the cherry blossoms to take center stage. Cherry blossoms aren’t just beloved by the Japanese; they attract visitors from all over the world, eager to witness their breathtaking beauty. People of all ages, both domestic and international, adore these flowers.
When it comes to cherry blossoms, hanami (flower viewing) is a must. Hanami is a celebration where people gather with family and friends to enjoy the stunning sakura, eat delicious food and drink, and engage in games, karaoke, and more. It’s a time to relax and have fun together. For me, hanami is one of the highlights of the year, and I look forward to it every spring.
When I was a child, my mother used to prepare large homemade bento boxes for our family and friends. We would go to the park for hanami and enjoy the picnic. The bento boxes were filled with all my favorite foods, like onigiri (rice balls), karaage (fried chicken), tamagoyaki (Japanese omelette), sausages, ebi fry (fried shrimp), and salad. I would eagerly look forward to eating these dishes, and the excitement of opening the bento was unforgettable. After lunch, we would gather fallen sakura petals and enjoy the time together, often staying in the park until evening without even realizing how much time had passed. It was a wonderful, carefree time with family and friends.
Even as an adult, I still enjoy picking up cherry blossom petals during hanami gatherings. While I used to love my mother’s homemade hanami bento, over time, it became more convenient to buy ready-made bento from stores. As a result, I haven’t had a homemade hanami bento in years. But this year, I’m planning to make my very first hanami bento, and I think it’s a great opportunity to recreate the flavors I remember. I’m planning to get some cooking tips from my mother to make sure I get it just right.
Spring Everywhere in Japan
In Japan, everything turns spring-like when the season arrives. Stores are filled with sakura-themed items, and even restaurant menus change to reflect the season with pink-colored dishes and drinks. One of the things I look forward to each year is the “spring flavors” that appear in various restaurants.
Many famous chains release limited-edition spring menus, such as Starbucks, Tully's Coffee, Gong Cha, McDonald's, Krispy Kreme, and Mister Donut. Searching for these special spring offerings online is always fun!
Among all the spring menu items, I was especially excited to try McDonald’s spring-exclusive menu item this year: the “あんことおもちのいちご大福パイ(Red Bean & Mochi Strawberry Daifuku Pie)”,which was released on March 12. I couldn’t wait to try it, and I went to McDonald's as soon as it launched.
The crispy sakura-colored pie filled with sweet red bean paste, tangy strawberries, and chewy mochi was absolutely delicious. It wasn’t just visually appealing but also captured the taste of spring perfectly.
Many people visited McDonald's, not just for the pie, but also for other spring-exclusive drinks, like cherry-flavored fizzy beverages. It wasn’t just students, but adults were also excitedly taking photos of the limited-edition food and drinks.
Spring doesn’t only bring new food; it also brings spring-themed beverages, including seasonal beers. Do you like beer? I personally don’t drink it, but my friends who enjoy beer look forward to the seasonal cans that are released every spring. Companies like Asahi, Ebisu, Sapporo, and Kirin all release special spring beers, which come with beautiful cans featuring sakura designs and pink hues. Even if you don’t drink alcohol, the cute can designs are a fun way to enjoy the season. And I’m sure the spring beer enjoyed during hanami will taste even better!
Here is some Japanese phrases that you can use at Hanami.
さくら(sakura)=cherry bloosom きれい(kirei) =beautiful
おにぎり(onigiri)=rice ball ビール(bi-ru)=beer
たべる(taberu)=eat
のむ(nomu)=drink
・さくらが きれい ですね。(sakura ga kirei desune) Cherry blossom is beautiful. Isn't it?
・おにぎりを たべますか。(onigiri wo tabemasu ka) Do you eat rice balls?
・ビールを のみますか。(bi-ru wo nomimasu ka) Do you drink beer?
・はい、いただきます。(hai, itadaki masu) Yes, I will gladly have it.
・いいえ、だいじょうぶです。(iie, daijyoubu desu) No, thank you.
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Related Blog: What is Hanami? https://www.brisbanejapaneseschool.com/post/what-is-hanami-the-history-and-origins-of-hanami
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