Finns also Crazy for Cherry Blossoms: Helsinki Hanami Festival Grandly Opens
The Helsinki Hanami Festival in Finland recently commenced, drawing large crowds to Roihuvuori Cherry Park. Attendees in kimonos and yukatas enjoyed picnics under pink blossoms, along with Japanese cultural performances, food stalls, and cosplay events, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of Japan.
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- 📰 Published: May 16, 2026 at 15:51
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Wu Qilin in Helsinki on the 16th) The Helsinki Hanami Festival in Finland recently kicked off. Roihuvuori Cherry Park was filled with girls dressed in kimonos and yukatas, picnic blankets were spread under a sea of pink blossoms, the aroma of takoyaki wafted from stalls, and performances continuously took to the stage, making it feel as if one were in Japan.
The Helsinki Hanami Festival was held on the 14th, attracting a large number of people from noon until evening to picnic and enjoy the cherry blossoms in the park. Tea ceremony demonstrations, calligraphy experiences, kendo demonstrations, and cosplay costume contests were successively presented. High-hanging carp streamers swayed in the wind, and representatives from the Japanese Embassy also attended the opening.
A group of young girls in costumes accepted an interview with the Central News Agency.
Yume said this was her third time participating in the Hanami Festival. She stated that every time she comes, people ask to take photos with her, "Everyone is really friendly, which makes me love it here."
Uray has been twice. She pointed out that the Hanami Festival brings people together, and seeing so many people wearing kimonos and yukatas come here and meet new friends, "it's really wonderful, I love it."
Poppy was attending for the first time and only learned about the event through a friend's invitation. She said, "Once I came, I fell in love with it."
Ban, from Spain, attended with friends, all dressed in yukatas. She said that Japanese culture is so widely spread around the world, and being able to enjoy this festival with so many people on such a sunny day felt amazing.
Star was also attending for the first time. She said it was interesting to have such a festival in Finland. "I love cherry blossoms, and seeing everyone picnicking here makes me really happy." She revealed that she had just met several friends that day, but they hit it off immediately, "and just like that, I found my tribe."
These girls, distinct from traditional kimono wearers, appeared in "Yami-kawaii" (sick-cute) visual styles and distinctive outfits from Japanese pop culture. They shared with reporters the Yami-kawaii aesthetic of Japanese subculture, discussing not the beautification of psychological trauma, but rather facing and accepting it. "You can express yourself through makeup and clothing, just be yourself; this is a very good trend."
The Hanami Festival originated from Japan's cherry blossom viewing tradition, where people gather for picnics under the trees when cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Helsinki's Hanami Festival is jointly organized by the local association (Roihuvuori-Seura) and several Japanese cultural associations within Finland, and has a history of nearly two decades.
The hundreds of cherry trees in the park were originally initiated by Norio Tomida, a Japanese businessman living in Finland, and have been continuously planted since 2007, increasing year by year, with official statistics now reaching approximately 350 trees. (Edited by Chen Huiping) 1150516
(Central News Agency reporter Wu Qilin in Helsinki on the 16th) The Helsinki Hanami Festival in Finland recently kicked off. Roihuvuori Cherry Park was filled with girls dressed in kimonos and yukatas, picnic blankets were spread under a sea of pink blossoms, the aroma of takoyaki wafted from stalls, and performances continuously took to the stage, making it feel as if one were in Japan.
The Helsinki Hanami Festival was held on the 14th, attracting a large number of people from noon until evening to picnic and enjoy the cherry blossoms in the park. Tea ceremony demonstrations, calligraphy experiences, kendo demonstrations, and cosplay costume contests were successively presented. High-hanging carp streamers swayed in the wind, and representatives from the Japanese Embassy also attended the opening.
A group of young girls in costumes accepted an interview with the Central News Agency.
Yume said this was her third time participating in the Hanami Festival. She stated that every time she comes, people ask to take photos with her, "Everyone is really friendly, which makes me love it here."
Uray has been twice. She pointed out that the Hanami Festival brings people together, and seeing so many people wearing kimonos and yukatas come here and meet new friends, "it's really wonderful, I love it."
Poppy was attending for the first time and only learned about the event through a friend's invitation. She said, "Once I came, I fell in love with it."
Ban, from Spain, attended with friends, all dressed in yukatas. She said that Japanese culture is so widely spread around the world, and being able to enjoy this festival with so many people on such a sunny day felt amazing.
Star was also attending for the first time. She said it was interesting to have such a festival in Finland. "I love cherry blossoms, and seeing everyone picnicking here makes me really happy." She revealed that she had just met several friends that day, but they hit it off immediately, "and just like that, I found my tribe."
These girls, distinct from traditional kimono wearers, appeared in "Yami-kawaii" (sick-cute) visual styles and distinctive outfits from Japanese pop culture. They shared with reporters the Yami-kawaii aesthetic of Japanese subculture, discussing not the beautification of psychological trauma, but rather facing and accepting it. "You can express yourself through makeup and clothing, just be yourself; this is a very good trend."
The Hanami Festival originated from Japan's cherry blossom viewing tradition, where people gather for picnics under the trees when cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Helsinki's Hanami Festival is jointly organized by the local association (Roihuvuori-Seura) and several Japanese cultural associations within Finland, and has a history of nearly two decades.
The hundreds of cherry trees in the park were originally initiated by Norio Tomida, a Japanese businessman living in Finland, and have been continuously planted since 2007, increasing year by year, with official statistics now reaching approximately 350 trees. (Edited by Chen Huiping) 1150516