Picture of the Day: Yokohama Cherry Blossoms in Bloom

In Japan, the traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of flowers in bloom is known as Hanami. In most cases it refers to cherry blossoms (“sakura”) and sometimes plum blossoms (“ume”).

From the end of March to early May, sakura bloom all over Japan, and around the first of February on the island of Okinawa. The blossom forecast 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.