Hanami literally means flower viewing and is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of flowers. It almost always refer to cherry blossoms or sakura. Hanami can simply be a stroll in the park or a picnic party with friends. For the latter, it is a common practice for people to reserve a spot with their picnic sheets early in the morning. The blooming of the cherry trees depends on their geographical location: The milder the climate, the earlier the blossoms open. This could happen as early as January in the southern tropical islands or late in May in Hokkaido toward the north. But for most cities in between, the cherry blossom season typically happens from late March to early April.