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Celebrate hanami with easy, crowd-pleasing recipes made for spring gatherings. From picnic bites to Japanese sweets—everything you need for cherry blossom season.
Quick Highlights
Sakura season is one of the most cherished times of year in Japan. For a brief and beautiful moment each spring, cherry blossom trees burst into bloom. Families, friends, and coworkers gather for hanami (花見), the tradition of cherry blossom viewing.
Growing up in Japan, I remember spreading out a picnic mat, sharing homemade bento, and enjoying seasonal sweets as petals float through the air. Food is at the heart of this celebration, and many dishes are enjoyed especially during this fleeting season.
In this roundup, I’m sharing popular and traditional hanami foods so you can bring a little Japanese springtime to your own table.
Table of Contents
Nami’s Tips for Celebrating Sakura Season
- Pack a bento. Gather family and friends and head to a local park for a picnic with classic spring dishes.
- Celebrate wherever you are. Even without cherry trees nearby, you can host a hanami party at home with a simple spring-inspired spread.
- Use seasonal sakura ingredients. Salt-pickled cherry blossoms add a delicate floral aroma to sweets and drinks—instantly evoking spring! You can find salt-pickled cherry blossoms from this Japanese online store that ships internationally, or online from Amazon or Weee!
- Embrace spring colors. Pink, green, and white reflect the beauty of the season and make your table feel festive.
- Add sakura motifs. Simple cherry blossom tableware—like chopstick rests and small plates—adds a subtle seasonal touch to your setting.
How to Pack a Bento for Cherry Blossom Viewing
When I pack a hanami bento, I keep it simple:
- Think variety. Include protein, vegetables, and both savory and sweet dishes.
- Prep ahead. Choose items you can make in advance to keep picnic day relaxed.
- Serve at room temperature. Pick foods that travel well and taste delicious without reheating.
Here’s an easy way to build your bento box:
- Main – Rice balls, sushi rolls, chirashi sushi, sandwiches, onigirazu (rice sandwich)
- Appetizer – Tamagoyaki, karaage, spring rolls, ramen eggs, edamame
- Seasonal vegetables – Gomaae, potato salad, harusame salad, kabocha salad
- Sweets – Hanami dango, sakura mochi, cherry blossom cookies
- Fruits – Strawberries, blueberries, pineapples, kiwis
I hope these recipes inspire you to welcome spring with a Japanese touch—wherever you are in the world. 🌸
Chirashi Sushi
This bright, colorful dish features sushi rice mixed with a variety of vegetables and toppings.
I love how easy it is to simplify the ingredients and pack it in a hanami bento for a festive, springtime picnic.
Inari Sushi
I recommend inari sushi if you want a fun and easy sushi to pack for your hanami picnic bento. It’s filling, satisfying, and just as delicious at room temperature.
Sushi Rolls (Maki Sushi – Hosomaki)
Maki Sushi (sushi rolls) are a popular choice for hanami viewing. My recipe includes both traditional and modern fillings, so you can easily customize them with whatever ingredients you have on hand.
Futomaki (Maki Sushi / Ehomaki)
With its bright, colorful appearance, Futomaki is a beloved sushi roll for festive events, holidays, potlucks, or bento boxes. I’ll show you how to make a thick roll packed with vibrant, flavorful ingredients.
Tuna Mayo Onigiri
These Tuna Mayo Onigiri are delicious, portable, and absolutely kid-friendly. I'll show you two easy ways to make these Japanese rice balls for your bento lunch, snack, or picnic.
Teriyaki Salmon Onigirazu
Turn your leftover teriyaki salmon and grilled asparagus into a special rice sandwich called onigirazu! Pack it in your bento and head outside to enjoy the cherry blossoms.
Kimbap
Kimbap is a classic Korean seaweed rice roll filled with seasoned beef, colorful vegetables, omelette strips, and pickled daikon. It‘s so popular in Japan to pack for lunch, picnics, and a meal on the go! Learn to make gorgeous seaweed rolls with my step-by-step guide.
Honey Soy Chicken
My simple and delicious Honey Soy Chicken is a failproof recipe that works every time. This savory and sweet dish requires minimal prep and just a few pantry ingredients for an easy weeknight dinner.
Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)
These ultra-crispy, bite-sized Karaage (Japanese fried chicken) are irresistible and great for sharing. I love making them ahead of time since they store well in the fridge or freezer. When it’s picnic time, a quick warm-up and they’re ready to pack into your hanami bento!
Fresh Spring Rolls with Yakiniku
These Fresh Spring Rolls with Yakiniku are bursting with savory and refreshing ingredients. It's fun to wrap Japanese BBQ beef and crunchy vegetables in rice paper and seal in the deliciousness. Serve it with homemade yakiniku sauce for dipping.
Shrimp Egg Rolls
Deep-fried to golden brown deliciousness, these crispy Shrimp Egg Rolls are a great appetizer to start your meal or party. Dip them in Japanese leek and miso sauce (Negi Miso) to enjoy!
Teba Shio (Salted Chicken Wings)
Juicy and crispy Salted Chicken Wings (Teba Shio) are a popular dish at Japanese izakaya restaurants. With my unbelievably easy recipe and a few ingredients, you can oven-broil these delicious wings at home for your next party, game-day spread, or lazy Sunday dinner.
Carrot Beef Rolls
These savory Carrot Beef Rolls are pan-seared and glazed with a quick homemade teriyaki sauce. This simple Japanese home-cooked dish is delicious over rice or as a side dish for your weeknight dinner. Make extra for your bento lunchbox the next day!
Baked Chicken Katsu
Want delicious Japanese breaded chicken cutlets without deep-frying? Try my crispy and juicy Baked Chicken Katsu with savory tonkatsu sauce. This lighter and healthier oven-baked recipe is so simple and easy, you‘ll want to make it tonight!
3-Ingredient Simple Tamagoyaki
For protein, you can't go wrong with this 3-Ingredient Tamagoyaki. This Japanese rolled omelette pairs perfectly with sushi or onigiri and adds a bright, cheerful touch to your bento.
Ramen Eggs (Ajitsuke Tamago)
Ramen Eggs are another great make-ahead protein. They travel well for picnics and are always popular as an appetizer at gatherings.
I like to cook the eggs slightly longer so the yolks are custardy but not too runny, which makes them perfect for packing and sharing.
Japanese Sandwich (Mixed Sando)
Sandwiches are another go-to for family picnics! For hanami viewing, I recommend making three popular fillings: tuna salad, tamago (egg salad), and ham and cheese with crisp lettuce.
Japanese Egg Sandwich (Tamago Sando)
With egg salad tucked between slices of white bread, Japanese Egg Sandwich (Tamago Sando) is a timeless snack you can find in every convenience store in Japan. The creamy filling is bursting with a rich egg-yolk flavor and the shokupan slices are soft and pillowy. Some claim it‘s the absolute best egg salad sandwich they‘ve ever tasted!
Wanpaku Sandwich
Meet the newest and hottest style of sandwich from Japan – Wanpaku Sandwich or Wanpaku Sando for short. Stuffed with colorful vegetables and layering ingredients, these solid Japanese sandwiches present endless possibilities!
Japanese Fruit Sandwich
Brighten your day with Japanese Fruit Sandwich! These fun and colorful Fruit Sando have fresh whipped cream with strawberries, oranges, and kiwis tucked between slices of pillowy Japanese milk bread. Bursting with juicy fresh fruit, they're a perfect breakfast or snack.
Katsu Sando
With a crispy and juicy pork cutlet sandwiched between soft and pillowy Japanese milk bread, this Katsu Sando is downright satisfying! I‘ll show you how to bake the tonkatsu for a delicious alternative to deep-fried. Elevate your sandwich with this new favorite recipe.
Japanese Potato Salad
A classic, home-cooked side dish for more than 100 years, Japanese Potato Salad is distinct for its colorful addition of fresh vegetables, creamy texture, and rounded flavor. It‘s the ultimate crowd-pleaser!
Spicy Edamame
Spicy Edamame is my favorite way to turn a simple bag of frozen soybean pods into an irresistible snack. I toss them in a simple and savory sauce with garlic, chili paste, and miso. Bold and punchy, it's an easy appetizer with big flavor that comes together in minutes.
Carrot and Tuna Salad
This Carrot and Tuna Salad combines pantry staples with a few fresh ingredients for a light, satisfying, and protein-packed dish! Serve this delicious recipe as a side dish, sandwich filling, bento side, or low-carb main course. {Vegan/Vegetarian Adaptable}
Kabocha Salad
Sweet and golden Japanese squash shines brightly in this creamy Kabocha Salad recipe with crunchy red onion and savory strips of ham. This beautiful chilled side dish is sure to become a new classic on your family dinner table.
Hanami Dango
Chewy skewered dumplings in three springtime colors, Hanami Dango, are made from rice flour and glutinous rice flour. Lightly sweet and delightfully festive, these traditional Japanese treats are a favorite snack for enjoying under the cherry blossoms.
Cherry Blossom Cookies
Not only are these Cherry Blossom Cookies pretty to look at, but they also taste heavenly. For this recipe, I use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour for a more delicate texture. Shape and chill the cookie dough log in the refrigerator until firm.
Bake up a batch and share the love this season. The crispy, buttery texture, paired with the fragrant aroma of salt-pickled cherry blossoms, is truly something to savor.
Sakura Mochi
Another iconic dessert for cherry blossom viewing is Sakura Mochi. Chewy mochi filled with sweet red bean paste is simply delectable. Be sure to soak the salted sakura leaves and flowers first to remove excess salt before using. The aroma of cherry blossom leaves takes the spring experience to the next level.
Cherry Blossom Madeleines
These delightful cookies are buttery, slightly sweet, and salty, with a hint of cherry blossom's fragrance. Invite your friends over and enjoy these gorgeous madeleines with green tea.
Strawberry Mochi (Ichigo Daifuku)
Warabi Mochi is a chilled, chewy, jelly-like treat made from bracken starch. Dusted with nutty roasted soybean flour and drizzled with kuromitsu syrup, this Japanese confection makes a beautiful and refreshing snack or dessert to enjoy with matcha.
Celebrate Sakura Season in Japan
Discover the best cherry blossom spots in Tokyo and beyond.
English (US) · 