People Are Enjoying Japan’s Cherry Blossoms Indoors With “Virtual Hanami”

Photo: Stock Photos from tungtopgun/Shutterstock

Each spring, locals and visitors flood parks across Japan in order to enjoy the iconic cherry blossoms. Also known as sakura, these blossoms hold a special place in Japanese culture. The annual ritual of hanami, or “flower viewing,” typically involves arranging parties and picnics at parks with friends and family to take in the cherry blossoms. However, the 2020 cherry blossom season is decidedly different, with the coronavirus pandemic putting a damper on outdoor activities.

As international travel has come to a halt and the citizens of Japan are being encouraged to stay indoors, people are finding new ways to enjoy cherry blossom season. While you may not be able to stroll outside and see the sakura in person, there are a lot of ways to bring these flowers into your home. That could mean bringing a cherry blossom-inspired gift or two into your home or engaging in virtual hanami.

Luckily, there are plenty of videos and photos of cherry blossoms to get you into the spirit. Japan's Weather News channel has placed 50 cherry blossom videos online. Though they're from a few years ago, these 360-degree videos will transport you to some of Japan's most beloved sakura viewing spots. Similarly, ANN News also put together a video to encourage digital hanami in this time of crisis.

Across the internet, people are also showing their support by posting their favorite cherry blossom photos under the hashtag #virtualhanami. Let's take a look at some of our favorite sakura videos and photos to help get you in the spirit while we wait to view next year's blossoms in person.

We can travel or go outside, but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate sakura. These videos will help bring cherry blossom viewing into your home.

People are also posting their #virtualhanami photos of cherry blossoms in a show of solidarity.

 

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A post shared by Qian Hui Ma (@anit.ta) on Mar 27, 2020 at 10:55pm PDT

 

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A post shared by jjwalsh (@inboundambassador) on Mar 27, 2020 at 9:13pm PDT

 

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A post shared by 株式会社ファンテクノロジー (@fantechnology) on Mar 27, 2020 at 2:17am PDT

 

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A post shared by Julie in Japan 🇲🇨 🇦🇺 🇯🇵 (@juliexjapan) on Mar 26, 2020 at 6:03pm PDT

 

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A post shared by JAPAN LIFE & TRAVEL (@arisa_chow) on Mar 30, 2020 at 11:22pm PDT

 

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A post shared by T A K A Y O (@takayo_kimono_party) on Mar 31, 2020 at 3:44am PDT

 

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A post shared by エマ 🇬🇧 British girl in Tokyo🗼 (@bassettabroad) on Mar 30, 2020 at 1:04am PDT

 

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A post shared by RIN. (@_discoverin) on Mar 29, 2020 at 9:23am PDT

 

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A post shared by Natacha Storm Würtz (@natachasw) on Mar 28, 2020 at 2:40am PDT

 

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A post shared by Maki Shiomi (@makstweety) on Mar 28, 2020 at 5:46pm PDT

h/t: [Spoon & Tamago]

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