Japan is very famous for cherry blossoms. There is some magic to it when the cherry blooms, it connects the community. Everyone wants to see cherry blossoms. During cherry blossom season in Japan, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom from March to May, the Japanese flock to parks and gardens to picnic beneath the flowers.
In Japan, the arrival of spring is synonymous with the blooming of cherry blossoms, known as Sakura. Spring in Japan can only mean one thing: Cherry Blossoms. This time of year is incredibly popular for tourists, both domestic and international, as the atmosphere is lively and infectious. The cherry blossom front sweeps across the country, starting in the south in February and making its way up to the north by May.
The cherry blossom season in Japan is a time of great celebration and beauty. The atmosphere at this time of year is infectious that parks are packed with revelers and supermarket shelves stacked with the latest blossom flavored snacks and drinks to coincide with the most awaited cherry blossoms. People gather under the trees to have picnics, parties, and to simply enjoy the view. The cherry blossoms are also a popular subject for photography and art.
The timing of the bloom can be affected by various factors, such as cold winters causing a delay, mild weather ushering them out sooner, or heavy rain causing the petals to drop quickly. As a result, the Sakura forecast is closely monitored throughout the season.
The cherry blossom forecast is based on a number of factors, including historical data, temperature, and precipitation. The Japan Meteorological Agency issues a cherry blossom forecast every year, which is updated as the season progresses.
The cherry blossom season is a time to appreciate the beauty of nature and to enjoy the company of friends and family. It is also a time to reflect on the past year and to look forward to the future.
There are over 200 different varieties of cherry blossoms in Japan. The most popular variety is the Somei Yoshino cherry blossom, which is known for its delicate pink flowers. Cherry blossoms are a symbol of beauty, renewal, and hope. The cherry blossom season is a time for introspection and reflection. Cherry blossoms are often used in traditional Japanese art and literature.
Cherry Blossom Season Dates
The cherry blossom season in Japan usually begins in Okinawa in around January / February, passes through the middle middle of Japan in March / April and finishes with a late bloom in northern Hokkaido in May. In areas of high altitude the blossom also arrives rather later than in low-altitude regions. Tokyo traditionally sees its first blossoms in the dying days of March with full bloom falling around April 5. Kyoto follows a day or 2 later while the mountainous areas around Takayama and Matsumoto Bloom about 2 weeks later - beginning in mid-April.
HANAMI
If you are lucky enough to be in Japan during cherry blossom season, it is de rigueur to head out into the local parks and gardens, bring a selection of picnic food and drinks and join the locals for a hanami - or "flower-viewing". This centuries-old ritual invites people to gather in the picturesque parks, landscape gardens, and along serene riverbanks to celebrate the fleeting beauty of the sakura blossoms.
As the delicate pink and white flowers burst into bloom, enveloping the landscape in a ethereal haze, hanami spots transform into vibrant social hubs. Families, friends, and colleagues spread out picnic blankets beneath the trees, savoring traditional Japanese delicacies and sipping on sake or green tea. The air fills with laughter, chatter, and the gentle sound of petals rustling in the breeze.
So popular are these parties that some companies will pay a member of staff to sit in the park all day, saving a spot for the office hanami in the evening! The joy of hanami extends beyond daytime festivities. As dusk descends, a magical transformation takes place. Lanterns illuminate the trees, casting a warm, enchanting glow upon the delicate blossoms. The canopy above becomes a glowing spectacle of pink and white, creating an ethereal atmosphere that is nothing short of breathtaking.
For those fortunate enough to witness this enchanting sight, lingering under the lantern-lit cherry trees provides a profound and unforgettable experience. The delicate fragrance of the blossoms mingles with the soft light, creating a sensory symphony that captivates the senses.
While daytime hanami offers a vibrant and lively ambiance, evening hanami exudes a mystical and serene charm. It is a time for contemplation, introspection, and deep appreciation for the beauty of nature. Under the soft glow of lanterns, dreams and aspirations seem to take flight, carried away by the gentle petals that float upon the breeze.
Hanami can be conducted in the daytime sun or in the evening. Both are lovely, but we particularly enjoy the blossoms at dusk when lanterns hang in the trees, turning the canopy a glowing pink. You might also be lucky enough to spot a geisha or two entertaining clients under the trees!
Whether you choose to immerse yourself in the daytime festivities or bask in the enchanting evening atmosphere, hanami is a quintessential Japanese experience that celebrates the cycle of life and the transient nature of beauty. It is a time to cherish moments with loved ones, reflect on the past, and embrace the present while anticipating the future.
HISTORY
The tradition of hanami has a history stretching back over many centuries, thought to have begun during the Nara Period (710-794), so by getting involved you will be joining in one of Japan's best-loved and most time-honored rituals. By participating in hanami, you'll be joining in a celebration that has captivated the hearts of countless Japanese people throughout the ages.
While today the term "hanami" is almost synonymous with cherry blossom viewing parties, historically, it encompassed a wider range of floral spectacles. During the Heian Period (794-1185), hanami parties were held not only beneath cherry trees but also under wisteria and plum blossoms. While cherry blossom viewing parties have become more prominent over time, some older Japanese still gather to appreciate the delicate beauty of plum blossoms (ume), seeking a more serene alternative to the sometimes boisterous cherry blossom festivities.
In ancient Japan, cherry blossoms held profound significance. They signaled the arrival of the rice-planting season and were used to predict the year's harvest. Their ephemeral nature was seen as a poignant metaphor for life itself and was immortalized in countless poems and works of art. Its fleeting beauty, moreover, was celebrated as a metaphor for life itself - and it was praised in numerous poems of the era.
The Japanese believed that sakura trees were imbued with spirits, and they made offerings of rice wine to these spirits in the hope of securing a bountiful harvest. This practice gradually evolved into the tradition of hanami parties, which became a joyous occasion for feasting, drinking, and celebrating beneath the cherry blossoms with vitality and vibrancy.
It's believed that the custom of hanami parties pass through many periods, eventually becoming a beloved tradition embraced by all levels of society. Today, hanami remains a cherished part of Japanese culture, bringing people together to appreciate the fleeting beauty of the cherry blossoms and celebrate the arrival of spring.
SAKURA PRODUCTS
If you're in Japan during hanami season, it can seem as though the country has gone a little sakura-mad. Not only are there blossom-themed events and festivals around the country, but even the products in the supermarkets reflect the coming season - with limited edition, sakura-flavored foods and drinks on the menu for a fleeting time only.
These include sakura chu-hai (sweet alcoholic canned drinks), sakura dumplings, sakura KitKats, sakura beer (yes, really), sakura crisps - there's even a sakura-flavored Starbucks latte!
And what does it taste like? Well, most people will agree that it's something of an acquired taste, with a flavor somewhere between lavender and soap! Try it yourself and let me know what you think. There's a lot of things you can do traveling in Japan but knowing it's a foreign country, learn to consider and know What not to do while in Japan and be an amazing traveler.
There are countless great hanami spots across Japan, and everybody has their own personal favorite - so we've put together a few of our top choices to get you started:
1. Mount Yoshino, Nara Prefecture
View from Yoshino's main viewpoint One must either be very brave or very stupid to venture to Yoshino during peak cherry blossom season. Covered in over 30,000 cherry trees, it's the most famous sakura viewing spot in Japan and has been for hundreds of years.
2. Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo
Tokyo is famous as a hyper-modern metropolis packed with high-rise buildings and flashing neon lights, and whilst this is true - there is also a surprising wealth of green spaces where you can take time out from the hustle and bustle of the city to relax. One of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo is undoubtedly Shinjuku Gyoen, which is home to over one thousand cherry trees of both early- and late-blooming varieties, meaning that the sakura season here lasts longer than elsewhere in the city.
Other lovely sakura spots in the city include the Imperial Palace Gardens, Hamarikyu Gardens and Ueno Park - so be sure to try out a few.
3. Himeji Castle, Hyogo Prefecture
Fully re-opened this year after a five-year facelift, Japan's largest and most impressive castle is also a wonderful place to see the cherry blossom. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has survived fires, wars, earthquakes and the Meiji Restoration to be one of only a handful of original feudal castles still standing in Japan - and 2015 is an especially good year to visit following its hiatus from the tourist trail. Surrounded by sakura trees, Himeji is undoubtedly at its best in the spring!
If Himeji isn't on your itinerary this spring, don't worry - nearly all Japanese castles (whether original or reconstructed) make excellent hanami locations as they are traditionally surrounded by cherry trees.
4. Mount Fuji
The only thing better than one Japanese national icon is two Japanese national icons - and for a couple of months each year you can get two for the price of one as Mount Fuji is surrounded by cherry blossom. There are numerous places from which to view Mount Fuji, but our favourites are Hakone and the Fuji Five Lakes region. Fuji Five Lakes is perhaps better than Hakone when it comes to sakura, and two of the best spots are the northern shores of Lake Kawaguchiko and the Chureito Pagdo, built in the hills of Fujiyoshida City.
5. Philosopher's Path, Kyoto
Kyoto's Philosopher's Path is a lovely stone walkway that follows a canal through the northern part of the city's Higashiyama district. It gets its name from a particular philosopher - Nishida Kitaro - who was said to wander down the path in meditation on his way to Kyoto University. The path runs for about two kilometres and as well as plenty of restaurants, cafes and shops it is lined all the way with cherry trees, which explode into colour in early April - providing one of Kyoto's most popular hanami spots.
6. Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa
Acknowledged as one of the top three landscape gardens in Japan (and widely considered to be the best of the three), Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa is a beautiful place to visit at any time of year - but especially so during the cherry blossom season. The garden is so large that you could easily spend a couple of hours wandering through it, and at closing time if you listen very carefully you may hear the voice of InsideJapan's Richard Farmer over the loudspeaker politely asking you to leave!
7. Miharu Takizakura, Miharu Town, Fukushima
Miharu Takizakura, (lit. "Waterfall cherry tree of Miharu") is located near the small town of Miharu in Fukushima Prefecture, in the northern Tohoku region of Japan's Honshu main island. Over one thousand years old, 13 metres tall and with a trunk circumference of 11 metres, this massive weeping cherry tree is probably Japan's most famous tree - and is thought by many to be its most beautiful. one of the three most famous cherry trees in japan and quite impressive whenviewing Miharu Takizakura from up close due to it's magnificent towering height!
8. Hirosaki Castle, Hirosaki
From around late April each year, the park around Hirosaki Castle is transformed into a pink wonderland with over 2,500 cherry trees, cherry blossom tunnels, evening illuminations, moats turned completely pink with petals, lovely picnic areas, and rental rowing boats combining to create a truly magical hanami location. If you visit between April 23 and May 5, you will also catch the Hirosaki cherry blossom festival. This is considered to be one of the top three cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan.
9. Hanamiyama Park, Fukushima
Another entry from the northern Tohoku region of Japan, Hanamiyama Park (lit. "flower viewing mountain") lies on the slopes surrounding a rural farming community in Fukushima Prefecture. The park was started by local farmers who began planting ornamental plants and trees in the area, and was opened to the public in 1959. The variety of types of cherry tree and other flowering trees mean that there are actually a wide range of spring colours in the area, with lovely views of the Azuma Mountains in the distance. Approximately seventy kinds of flowers such as plum blossoms, Tokaizakura cherry blossoms, rosebud cherry blossoms, Yoshino cherry blossoms, golden bells, Japanese quince blossoms, and more bloom simultaneously to create a beautiful sakura.
10. Takato Castle Ruins, Nagano
Last but certainly not least on our list is the Takato Castle Ruins Park in Nagano Prefecture, the last of the official top three cherry blossom spots in Japan (along with Mount Yoshino and Hirosaki Castle). Located on a hill in Ina City, Nagano, the park is about 60 km from Matsumoto (where the "Black Crow" Castle also provides a great hanami location). Visit during the month of April and you'll find yatai stalls set up all around the park for the annual cherry blossom festival, and there are lovely illuminations held every evening from sunset until 10pm.
11. Osaka Castle (Osaka)
Over 4000 cherry trees are planted on the spacious grounds of Osaka Castle. A particularly nice place for a picnic is Nishinomaru Park in the castle's western citadel with wide lawns, views of the castle tower and light up in the evening. Kema Sakuranomiya Park has nearly 5000 cherry trees line Okawa River for several kilometers. The seemingly endless rows of cherry trees can be viewed from a pleasant riverside promenade or from ships cruising the river. There are also lawn areas with a lot of space for picnics.
12. Peace Memorial Park Hiroshima
Hiroshima Peace Park, located in central Hiroshima City, was built to memorialize those who died during the atomic bombing and as a testament towards world peace. There are about 300 cherry trees planted around the park, especially along the river. Early April is the best time to view cherry blossoms. Hijiyama Park is a large, forested city park on a hill overlooking the city. There are about 1300 cherry trees planted in small pockets around the park that are popular places among the locals for holding cherry blossom viewing parties.
13. Fukuoka Castle Ruins Fukuoka
The ruins of Fukuoka Castle (福岡城跡, Fukuokajōato) are located in the middle of the city in Maizuru Park, named after the castle's alias, Maizuru Castle. About 10-15 minutes on foot from the Fukuoka Castle Ruins is Nishi Park, one of Japan's top 100 cherry blossom spots. The park boasts more cherry trees compared to Fukuoka Castle Ruins, and turns into a sakura wonderland when the flowers bloom.
14. Fort Goryokaku Hakodate
The Best Part Is the View of Blossoms Seen From the Tower! Goryokaku, is a well-known hanami (blossom viewing) spot that features 1,500 cherry trees. Many are of the Somei Yoshino variety, but near the Hakodate Magistrate’s office, there are also beautiful Shidarezakura cherry trees as well. Hakodate Park: A Stunning View Overlooking the Sea and Cherry Blossoms! The 400 cherry trees inside the park come into full bloom in the springtime. Sakura Hill Street where you walk through a breathtaking cherry blossom tunnel when in full bloom during the month of April.
15. Maruyama Park, Sapporo
One of the city's most popular cherry blossom spots with over 100 cherry trees can be found in the area.
As with many of the spots on this list, these popular spots gets super busy during sakura season, so you'd be well advised to visit early in the morning and to avoid weekends unless you don't mind crowds! Insider Tips and Local Insights: Uncover hidden treasures and insider recommendations that elevate your Japan experience beyond the typical tourist path, from secret gardens and tranquil temples to lesser-known cultural hotspots.
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As the cherry blossom season unfolds, transforming the landscape into a breathtaking tapestry of pink and white, the opportunity to immerse yourself in this unparalleled natural spectacle is fleeting. Whether you're drawn to the historic allure of Kyoto's Philosopher's Path, the majestic backdrop of Mount Fuji, or the serene beauty of Hirosaki Caslte, each location offers a unique vantage point to witness the ephemeral beauty of sakura.
Embrace the chance to create unforgettable memories, indulge in the seasonal delights, and partake in the centries-old tradition of hanami. Don't let this moment pass you by. Discover the splendor of cherry blossom season in Japan today, and let the sakura inspire you to celebrate the beauty of the moment. Discover the beauty and culture in our exclusive tours in Japan, where ancient traditions meet modern wonders. My first sakura so many moons ago.
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