Japan’s cherry blossom season, or sakura, generally takes place from late March to early April,  but the exact timing varies by region, starting as early as January in the subtropical south and lasting until May in the northern island of Hokkaido. This phenomenon is known as the “cherry blossom front” (sakura zensen) as the blossoms move from south to north across the country. The season is characterized by hanami (flower-viewing) parties, where people gather to picnic, enjoy the transient beauty of the blossoms, and celebrate the arrival of spring.