<P> Hanami (花見, "flower viewing") is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers; flowers ("hana") are in this case almost always referring to those of the cherry ("sakura") or, less frequently, plum ("ume") trees . From the end of March to early May, cherry trees bloom all over Japan, and around the first of February on the island of Okinawa . The blossom forecast (桜 前線, sakura - zensen) "cherry blossom front" is announced each year by the weather bureau, and is watched carefully by those planning hanami as the blossoms only last a week or two . In modern - day Japan, hanami mostly consists of having an outdoor party beneath the sakura during daytime or at night . In some contexts the Sino - Japanese term kan'ō (観桜, view - cherry) is used instead, particularly for festivals . Hanami at night is called yozakura (夜桜) "night sakura". In many places such as Ueno Park temporary paper lanterns are hung for the purpose of yozakura . On the island of Okinawa, decorative electric lanterns are hung in the trees for evening enjoyment, such as on the trees ascending Mt . Yae, near Motobu Town, or at the Nakijin Castle . </P> <P> A more ancient form of hanami also exists in Japan, which is enjoying the plum blossoms (梅 ume) instead, which is narrowly referred to as umemi (梅 見, plum - viewing). This kind of hanami is popular among older people, because they are calmer than the sakura parties, which usually involve younger people and can sometimes be very crowded and noisy . </P>

Where is the cherry blossom festival held in japan