Perhaps one of Japan’s most famous sights, cherry blossoms start blooming in as early as January in Okinawa as Japan’s southern region warms up. The awakening of the sakura flowers then follows the caress of spring’s warmth northwards, leaving a trail of pastel pink in its wake. By April, the whole country is painted a rosy hue.

So exalted is cherry blossom season in Japan that the word hanami, which literally means flower viewing, is exclusively used to refer to only the admiration of one type of flower – the sakura. We round up the five best spots to participate in hanami this year.