Cherry Blossom in Japan
Japan is called the "the country of cherry blossom"
Cherry blossom named Sakura in Japan, which is the Japan people’s most favorite flower. For Japanese people, Sakura is the symbol of love and hope.
During the Cherry blossom time, people will celebrate it with Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties under the tree, People invite their families or friends to chat, draw or do a variety of activities, wearing the beautiful Kimono and carrying the rice, wine, dessert and so on to make a hearty banquet. As the dusk come on, all the lamps will be lighted up, the night cherry blossom viewing become wonderful suddenly. Today, Hanami is not only an important social activity in Japan, but also attracts the people all over the world.
Cherry blossoms come in various colors, such as white, pink, and red, and vary in size. There are dozens of different kinds of cherry blossom trees in Japan. But all of them only bloom for about one week, which makes the Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) very precious.
When and Where for cherry blossoms
Typically, the time for cherry blossoms is from the end of March till the beginning of April. In Japan, different districts have different blooming time. First Sakura blooms in the southernmost part of Japan, in Okinawa. Then it spreads northward, reaching Kyushu, Kansai, Kanto, and finally Hokkaido.
When is the best time for cherry blossoms? The timing for the Japan Cherry blossoms 2024 for your reference:
Tokyo: Mar.22-29
Mt.Fuji (Five lakes): Apr.4-12
Takayama: Apr.4-11
Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka and Nagoya): Mar.25-Apr.2
Kyushu (Fukuoka, Kumanoto, Hiroshima): Mar.24-Apr.3
Hokkaido (Sapporo, Hakodate): Apr.20-27
Where are the best places to enjoy the cherry blossoms? Here are some popular cherry blossom spots in Tokyo:
Ueno Park: local in downtown Tokyo, famous for cherry blossom viewing at night
Shinjuku Gyoen Garden: imperial national garden
Meguro River: a 2km long river with Sakura trees on either side, with lights at night
Yoyogi Park: featured with wide lawns, ponds and forested ares, ideal for Hanami
Sumida River: this 23.5km long river is one of the businest waterways in Japan, with over 1,000 boats running every day
Chidorigafuchi: A 700-meter-long lush green walkway along the moat of the Imperial Palace
What are the top cherry blossom viewing spots in other cities of Japan?
Osaka: Osaka Castle, Expo 70 Commemorative Park, Kema Sakuranomiya Park, Osaka Mint Bureau, Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park, Daisen Park, Yodogawa Riverside Park
Kyoto: Arashiyama, Maruyama Park, Kyoto Botanical Gardens, Keage Incline, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Philosopher's Path, Heian Shrine, Takenaka Inari Shrine, Daigoji Temple, Kinkakuji Temple, Kiyomizudera Temple
Hokkaido: Matsumae Park, Goryokaku Park, Oniushi Park, Hokkaido Shrine, Maruyama Park, Nijukken Road Sakura Namiki, Moerenuma Park, Odori Park, Tsukisamu Park, Asahiyama Park, Seiryu-ji Temple, Noboribetsu Cherry Blossoms Rows
Kyushu: Yoshino Park, Kumamoto Castle, Suizenji Garden, Tateyama Park, Sakura no Sato, Fukuoka Castle Ruins (Maizuru Park), Nishi Park, Nokonoshima Island Park, Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, Mochio Park, Oka Castle Ruins, Aburayama Citizen’s Forest, Matsuyama Castle, Mount Shiude, Kotohira-gu Shrine
During spring period, Cherry blossom Festivals (known as Sakura Matsuri in Japanese) will be held in each important cities, including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Hokkaido, Okinawa, etc. Nowadays, cherry blossoms are not only loved by Japanese local, but also loved by the people all over the world!
Recommended tour packages with cherry blossoms in Japan:
5 days Tokyo cherry blossom tour package7 days Japan romantic cherry blossom tour package
