In Japan, early spring is known around the world as the time when the infamous Sakura trees come to life and paint the country a gorgeous white and pink colour. This is a special time of the year for those living in Japan as many festivals and parties are held nationwide as the people toss their usual reserve to the side and welcome the new season.
Cherry blossom season tends to be rather short, as Mankai, or full bloom is generally reached about one week after Kaika, or the first blossoms open. The blooming peak is over by the next week, and the blossoms begin to fall from the trees. At times, the season can be reduced even further by strong rains and wind.
The tradition of viewing these flowers is believed to have started during the latter part of the 8th century, during the Nara Period. The seasonal event is used to mark the start of rice planting season and also welcome the New Year’s harvest. During the Heian time period, this time of the year was welcomed by Emperor Saga with celebratory parties and feasts held in Kyoto’s Imperial Court under the Sakura trees. Even though this was originally restricted to members of the exclusive upper class and Japanese royalty, during the Edo Period in the early 1600’s, Hanami had spread to everyone.
The custom is carried on today as visitors from all over world take part in the traditional event. Still today, the annual customs attract visitors from all over to witness the gorgeous seasonal change, as they pinpoint and celebrate the start of a new scholastic and fiscal year with family and friends. An ordinary Hanami will generally consist of an outdoor party being held underneath cherry blossom trees during the day and night. Visitors bring beer, sake and food to picnics where they enjoy basking in the cherry blossoms as they fall down from the tree. The parties can last for hours, well into the nighttime hours where the moon shines on the pink blossoms. You can view many of the Cherry Blossom locations using the Japan Rail Pass.
Below is a list of popular places to view cherry blossom trees:
Tokyo:
– Shinjuku Gyoen
– Ueno Park
– Chidorigafuchi
– Sumida Park
Yokohama:
– Sankeien Garden
– Mitsuike Park
Kamakura:
– Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Fuji:
– Northern Shores of Kawaguchiko
– Chureito Pagoda
Matsumoto:
– Matsumoto Castle
Kanazawa:
– Kenrokuen
Nagoya:
– Yamazakigawa Riverside
– Nagoya Castle
Hikone:
– Hikone Castle
Kyoto:
– Philosopher’s Path
– Maruyama Park
– Arashiyama
– Heian Shrine
Osaka:
– Kema Sakuranomiya Park
– Osaka Castle
– Expo 70 Commemorative Park
– Osaka Mint Bureau
Nara:
– Nara Park
Yoshino:
– Yoshinoyama
Himeji:
– Himeji Castle
Okayama:
– Handayama Botanical
– Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle
Hiroshima:
– Hiroshima Peace Park
– Miyajima
Takamatsu:
– Megijima Island
Matsuyama:
– Matsuyama Castle
Fukuoka:
– Fukuoka Castle (Maizuru Park)
Kumamoto:
– Kumamoto Castle
Sendai:
– Mikamine Park
Fukushima:
– Hanamiyama Park
– Miharu Takizakura
Rest of Tohoku:
– Kitakami
– Kakunodate
– Hirosaki Castle
Hokkaido:
– Matsumae Park
– Goryokaku Fort
– Maruyama Park and Hokkaido Shrine
