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Although a Japanese winter has nothing on a Canadian winter in terms of actual below freezing temperatures, double pane windows and central heating are rare in the land of the rising sun, so it’s still pretty rough. Difficult winters aside, both countries enjoy four distinct seasons that should be celebrated. One spring tradition that the Japanese have really nailed is hanami, or cherry blossom viewing. Hanami can be done anywhere a sakura, cherry blossom tree, is in bloom, but people often gather in parks with many trees to sit under. Popular spots in Tokyo include Ueno Park, Yoyogi Park, Shinjuku Gyoen (Imperial Garden), and along the Meguro River. Hanami is a simple pleasure, but there are a few key things to bring along in order to make the most of your time with the blossoms.