Photos by Michael Yamashita yamashitaphoto / Hanami (literally, flower viewing) parties are in full swing throughout Japan. The Japanese have celebrated spring for centuries with the national ritual of taking time off for lounging in parks, drinking, eating, and gazing at the blossoming of cherry trees. In many places this year, Japan’s famous cherry blossoms reached their flowery peak earlier than they have at any time in over 1,200 years, and experts say climate change is the probable cause. #hanami #sakura #cherryblossoms #cherryblossomjapan