Cherry blossom in Japan

You can trust the technological whizz kids of Japan to come up with a flashy way to predict the cherry blossoms. They try to forecast the momentary prettiness as it spreads across the country in what is known as a sakura zensen, or cherry blossom front, from north to south, depending on the latitude or climate conditions of the region. So you can keep your eyes peeled on the Japan Metrological Corporation website for maps and dates of deliciously full bloomers. They start as early as January in the southern region of Okinawa, end of March and April in Honshu, and in Hokkaido May is a panoply of pink. Mount Yoshino, one of the most popular spots for spectacular arrays, starts around late March and reaches full bloom early-mid April. And for a double whammy, plum and cherry trees blossom at the same time on Hokkaido. Who knew cherries were so complex?

Although the word ‘sakura’ is the main word for any species of cherry tree, ‘hanami’ is the ’coming out’ party, of the blossom that is. All over Japan people have picnics, parties often accompanied by copious beer and sake to celebrate this traditional event.

The cherry blossom has been revered in Japan for generations. It started as an aristocratic pastime, with poets and philosophers also weaving this fleeting flower into many an occidental oeuvre. Although it is worth noting that the Chinese do claim that the phenomenon began in their country, but best not go there, as there have been near international incidents over who claims the cherry. What is known, however, is that it was actually the Ume or Japanese plum blossoms (also known as apricot, so a tad confusing) that created the first grand outing during the Nara Period (710-784AD) and which also still blossom before the cherry. Which is around February and March around the Tokyo area.

Takayama in the Hida Mountain region holds a festival every year to celebrate the blossoms, usually mid April, although they can come in by the end of March. A favourite thing to do is float down the Suimon River in a boat, with petals falling all around.

Nagasaki has two fabulous places to enjoy the serenity of the sakura. One is Omura Park where the ruins of Kushima Castle are surrounded by 2,000 trees. Also, the Peace Park, where 500 trees now thrive, thankfully, from late March until early April. Long may the peace reign.

Hiroshima is also a moving place to contemplate the transience of life, with the cherry trees starting a journey in Senkoji Park and climbing up the side of Mt. Senkoji (137 m). There are nearly 10,000 trees here and, aptly, some weeping ones too.



Mount Yoshino, popular on our walking vacations in Japan, is considered the cherry on the cake when it comes to all things sakura. This emanates from a time when pilgrims gifted cherry tree seedlings at the Kinpusen-ji Temple and since then they have been dispersed all over the mountain and those nearby too. You get a month’s worth of blossom here thanks to the different varieties and how they are scattered. April is the best month for Yoshino, usually earlier than later.

In Tokyo itself, Ueno and Shinjuku Gyoen Parks are the happening places from late March until late April. With tree lined streets and the world and his wife picnicking and partying, this is a sight to behold not just for prettiness but for all round, flower filled fun in the sun.

Photo credits: [Top box: Arnie Grever] [History: 京浜にけ] [Why cherry blossom is spiritual: torne (where's my lens cap?)] [Sakura species: aotaro] [Where to see the cherry blossoms: TANAKA Juuyoh] [Shinjuku Gyoen: Kakidai ]