Imagine spending time with your loved ones under these beautiful blossoming flowers and enjoy a picnic under the trees over a snowflake-like carpeted ground. If you can picture this scene in your mind then you will definitely want to visit Japan just to make all of these things real.
People say that this is one of the most iconic images of Asia when spring brings an ocean of blossom trees flushed with beautiful pink blooms. Those who are unaware of this phenomenon, Cherry Blossom (also sakura) is a flower from the many trees of the genus Prunus.
Not only the people of Japan but people from different parts of the world visit Japan to appreciate the beauty of Cherry Blossom. And this process is known as ‘hanami’ which is an old Japanese custom that is extremely popular even today.
Why not get ready for a trip to Japan this season and witness the transitory traits of life in the form of the beautiful cherry blossom flowers with your own eyes?
When Is The Time?
In the major cities of Japan including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, the cherry blossom season typically takes place in early April. The Japanese Meteorological Agency releases the forecast for Cherry Blossom every year and that heightens the excitement of the people. This report offers an analysis of each petal of the blooms. The officials of the cherry blossom confirm when the blooms will arrive. And, this blooming period lasts up to 14 days.
Best Places to See the Blush-Tinted Blooms
The blooms burst into colors between March and early April and the best places to witness them are Mount Yoshino, Maruyama Park, Fuji Five Lakes, and Himeji Castle. However, you can find the sakura hotspots in more than 1,000 locations across the country and picking the best one can be a tricky task. We have sorted the best ones for you:
1. Yoshino: This is known as one of the famous cherry-bloom destinations of Japan. Here you can see a carpet of blushing blooms cascade the mountainsides.
2. Himeji Castle: Visit this place during full bloom to see 1,000 cherry trees with a backdrop of white wooden walls.
3. Fuji Five Lakes: The breathtaking lakes have a backdrop of Mount Fuji and the silky petals of the cherry blossoms swirl around everywhere. Do visit the volcanic island of Honshu for a relaxing experience.
4. Maruyama Park: In this park, the major attraction is a huge tree that has blossom-fringed branches bow towards the ground. It gets illuminated in the evening right from the dusk to midnight. You can also visit Mount Yoshino that gets covered in over 30,000 cherry trees.
5. Hirosaki Castle: One of the prettiest spots for cherry blossom viewing is Hirosaki Castle. This is an ancient three-story castle that is surrounded by a fortified moat and a huge tree-lined park, which gets illuminated during evenings.
Apart from these, there are various other places like Yamashina, Arashiyama, Lake Kawaguchi, Matsumae Park, Laki Ashi, and Ueno Park where you can witness this beautiful phenomenon and indulge in hanami.
Did You Know? – The most popular cherry blossom tree in Japan is Somei Yoshino (Yoshino cherry)
What To Do If You Miss The Peak Blooms? – Visit Shinjuku Gyoen (1,000 cherry trees), Takato Castle Ruins Park (1,500 cherry trees) or Mount Yoshino (more than 30,000 cherry trees)
What To Try? – Do try the cherry blossom sweets, also known as sakura-flavored desserts such as sakura yokan, Sakura mochi, or sweet rice cakes. Also, try sakura tea or sakura sake
