お花見（桜の花見文化） – 英語で説明するために – 英会話形式で学ぶ

Yeah, it’s one of the best times of the year in Japan. The whole country celebrates it. Have you ever been to a Hanami party before?

Well, Hanami means “flower viewing,” but it’s much more than just looking at cherry blossoms. People gather in parks, spread out picnic blankets, and enjoy food and drinks under the trees.

Exactly! They usually bloom for only one or two weeks, so you have to time it just right. That’s why there’s a cherry blossom forecast every year, so people can plan their Hanami at the perfect moment.

No, there’s also night Hanami, called Yozakura. Some places light up the cherry trees, and the atmosphere is completely different—more romantic and magical.

There are lots of famous spots! Ueno Park is one of the biggest Hanami spots—really lively with over 1,000 cherry trees and food stalls. If you want something more scenic and peaceful, go to Chidorigafuchi near the Imperial Palace. You can even rent a boat and enjoy the cherry blossoms from the water.

Oh, definitely! It’s especially popular at night because the cherry blossoms are illuminated along the river, making it one of the most beautiful places in Tokyo.

Ah, the food is a big part of the experience! People bring bento boxes, but there are also special Hanami treats like Hanami dango—three-colored sweet dumplings, and sakura mochi—a rice cake wrapped in a cherry leaf. Some people also drink sakura-flavored sake or beer.

It’s actually more than just a picnic. In Japan, cherry blossoms symbolize the beauty and impermanence of life. There’s an old idea called mono no aware, which means appreciating things because they don’t last forever. That’s why people treasure the moment during Hanami.

Yes! In Washington, D.C., they have a big Cherry Blossom Festival because Japan gave them cherry trees as a gift. Other places like South Korea, China, and even some European countries also have Hanami celebrations.

Yep! Oh, one more thing—you should know about Hanami etiquette.

First, don’t touch or shake the cherry trees. The branches are delicate, and it’s considered disrespectful. Also, clean up your trash and don’t take up too much space when choosing a spot.

No problem! Let’s go together next weekend. I’ll bring the dango!

Yeah, it’s one of the best times of the year in Japan. The whole country celebrates it. Have you ever been to a Hanami party before?

そうだね、日本では一年で一番いい時期の一つだよ。国中がお花見を楽しむんだ。マックはお花見パーティーに行ったことある？

Well, Hanami means “flower viewing,” but it’s much more than just looking at cherry blossoms. People gather in parks, spread out picnic blankets, and enjoy food and drinks under the trees.

「花を見る」って意味なんだけど、実際はそれだけじゃなくて、みんな公園でシートを敷いて、桜の下で食べたり飲んだりして楽しむんだよ。

Exactly! They usually bloom for only one or two weeks, so you have to time it just right. That’s why there’s a cherry blossom forecast every year, so people can plan their Hanami at the perfect moment.

そうそう！桜が満開になるのは1〜2週間くらいしかないから、タイミングが大事。だから毎年、桜の開花予想が出て、それを見てお花見の計画を立てるんだ。

No, there’s also night Hanami, called Yozakura. Some places light up the cherry trees, and the atmosphere is completely different—more romantic and magical.

夜もあるよ、「夜桜」っていうんだ。一部の場所では桜がライトアップされて、昼とは全然違う、ロマンチックで幻想的な雰囲気になるよ。

There are lots of famous spots! Ueno Park is one of the biggest Hanami spots—really lively with over 1,000 cherry trees and food stalls. If you want something more scenic and peaceful, go to Chidorigafuchi near the Imperial Palace. You can even rent a boat and enjoy the cherry blossoms from the water.

有名な場所はたくさんあるよ。上野公園は特に有名で、1000本以上の桜があって屋台も出て賑やかだよ。静かなところが好きなら皇居近くの千鳥ヶ淵がいいかな。ボートにも乗れるし、水上から桜が楽しめるよ。

Oh, definitely! It’s especially popular at night because the cherry blossoms are illuminated along the river, making it one of the most beautiful places in Tokyo.

うん、すごくいいよ！特に夜が人気で、川沿いの桜がライトアップされて東京で最も美しい場所のひとつだよ。

Ah, the food is a big part of the experience! People bring bento boxes, but there are also special Hanami treats like Hanami dango—three-colored sweet dumplings, and sakura mochi—a rice cake wrapped in a cherry leaf. Some people also drink sakura-flavored sake or beer.

食べ物もお花見の楽しみの一つ！お弁当を持ち寄ったり、特別な花見団子や桜餅を食べたりするよ。桜風味の日本酒やビールもあるんだ。

It’s actually more than just a picnic. In Japan, cherry blossoms symbolize the beauty and impermanence of life. There’s an old idea called mono no aware, which means appreciating things because they don’t last forever. That’s why people treasure the moment during Hanami.

実はただのピクニック以上の意味があるよ。日本では桜は人生の美しさや儚さの象徴。「もののあはれ」っていう考え方があって、永遠に続かないからこそ美しいって思うんだ。だからこそ、その瞬間を大事にするんだよ。

Yes! In Washington, D.C., they have a big Cherry Blossom Festival because Japan gave them cherry trees as a gift. Other places like South Korea, China, and even some European countries also have Hanami celebrations.

そうだよ。アメリカのワシントンD.C.では日本が桜を贈ったことがきっかけで、毎年大きな桜祭りがあるんだ。韓国や中国、ヨーロッパでもお花見が人気だよ。

Yep! Oh, one more thing—you should know about Hanami etiquette.

でしょ！あとひとつ、お花見のマナーも知っておいたほうがいいよ。

First, don’t touch or shake the cherry trees. The branches are delicate, and it’s considered disrespectful. Also, clean up your trash and don’t take up too much space when choosing a spot.

桜の枝は触ったり揺らしたりしないこと。繊細だし失礼になるからね。あとゴミは必ず片付けて、場所取りもしすぎないようにね。

No problem! Let’s go together next weekend. I’ll bring the dango!

どういたしまして！来週末一緒に行こう。団子持っていくね！

bloom : 動詞・名詞
意味：（動詞）咲く、開花する。（名詞）花、開花。(verb) To produce flowers. (noun) A flower, especially one that’s open.
（桜が咲く短い期間を表す）
例文：

• The cherry trees bloom beautifully in spring.
  「桜の木は春に美しく咲きます。」
• The roses are in full bloom now.
  「バラは今、満開です。」
• When will the flowers start to bloom?
  「花はいつ咲き始めますか？」

time : 動詞・名詞
意味：（動詞）時間やタイミングを合わせる。（名詞）時間、時期、時刻。(verb) To arrange or choose the moment for something. (noun) A particular point or period when something happens.
（「time」は動詞として使われ、「お花見をするために桜の開花にタイミングを合わせる」という意味を表す）
例文：

• We must time our visit perfectly to enjoy the cherry blossoms.
  「私たちは桜を楽しむために訪問のタイミングを完璧に合わせなければなりません。」
• The runners timed their starts carefully.
  「ランナーたちはスタートのタイミングを慎重に合わせました。」
• Let’s time our meeting to match everyone’s schedule.
  「みんなのスケジュールに合うようにミーティングの時間を調整しましょう。」

treat : 名詞・動詞
意味：（名詞）ごちそう、おやつ。（動詞）扱う、おごる、楽しませる。(noun) A special food or something enjoyable. (verb) To behave towards someone in a certain way or to pay for someone’s enjoyment.
（文脈での使用：お花見で食べられる特別なお菓子を指す）
例文：

• Sakura mochi is a popular treat during Hanami.
  「桜餅はお花見で人気のおやつです。」
• She gave her dog a treat.
  「彼女は犬におやつをあげました。」
• Let me treat you to lunch today.
  「今日は私にランチをごちそうさせて。」

treasure : 動詞・名詞
意味：（動詞）大切にする。（名詞）宝物、貴重なもの。(verb) To value highly or cherish. (noun) Something very valuable or precious.
（桜が咲く短い期間を大切にするという意味）
例文：

• People treasure Hanami moments because they’re so short.
  「人々はお花見の時間が短いからこそ大切にします。」
• My grandmother’s necklace is my greatest treasure.
  「祖母のネックレスが私の一番の宝物です。」
• I will always treasure these memories.
  「私はこれらの思い出をずっと大切にします。」

No wonder : フレーズ
意味：～なのも当然だ、～なのも無理はない。Used to express that something is not surprising.
（日本人が桜やお花見を大好きなのは当然だという意味で使用）
例文：

• No wonder people love Hanami—it’s so beautiful!
  「お花見が美しいから、人々が大好きなのも当然だね！」
• No wonder you’re tired, you’ve been working all day.
  「一日中働いていたのだから、疲れているのも当然だよ。」
• No wonder she speaks English so well, she lived in Canada.
  「彼女はカナダに住んでいたから英語が上手なのも当然だ。」