Cherry Blossom Viewing in Japan
Sakura or Cherry blossoms have a short glorious season of two weeks in the Japanese spring. Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) is an age old custom in Japan, a celebration of Spring and recognition that life can be fleeting like the cherry blossom.
Cherry blossom viewing in Japan is a magical experience with rows of trees flowering on masse and groups picnicking beneath the trees, enjoying the flowers and sharing a meal. There is a buzz and excitement in the air, as though everyone has been waiting all year for the sakura to blossom. Tourists both local and international flock to top cherry blossom viewing spots.
A lovely spring night
suddenly vanished while we
viewed cherry blossoms.
Basho Matsuo
Hanami is an age old custom of viewing and enjoying the cherry blossom, this can either be done by walking along streets lined with cherry blossoms and admiring their beauty or with a picnic under the cherry blossom trees.
Top picnic spots are highly sought after and it is common for work places to reserve their hanami space by laying out a mat, which is reserved by a junior employee until the rest of the workplace joins for hanami after work.
If you wish to have your own hanami picnic, most 100yen shops sell mats (which look like a blue or green lightweight tarp). However keep these things in mind;
- No shoes on the picnic mat (take them off and line them up neatly next to the mat)
- Don’t climb the trees, pick the blossoms or walk on the roots
- Take your rubbish with you (some parks do not have bins)
- Check the park rules, some parks are alcohol free
Ume or plum blossom viewing generally comes before the cherry blossoms and can be seen from February to March. Although plum blossom can be just as magnificent and have a sweet smell, the cherry blossom remains the most popular in Japan.
The sights of Japan are all the more beautiful and intriguing with the Cherry blossoms framing the view!
There are a number of different varieties of cherry blossom, including the stunning weeping cherry blossom.
After a short two weeks, the cherry blossoms begin to fall and the slightest breeze brings a cascade of petals like confetti that cover the ground in a blanket of pink petals.
Sakura, sakura
they fall in the dreams
of sleeping beauty
Yosa Buson
When to go
It can be difficult to know when is best to view the cherry blossoms, however, it is usually in late March early April. We have managed two trips in the Australian April school holidays and on both occasions the timing to see the blossoms was perfect.
Who would enjoy this
Even if you are not particularly keen on flowers, the sense of festival and party atmosphere as you walk through the parks and viewing spots is infectious and uplifting.
Viewing the cherry blossoms can be very crowded in the popular parks. However, if you are not keen on joining the long lines for cherry blossom viewing, you will still find cherry blossoms everywhere even just walking through the streets of the city. If you have young kids, be aware that late afternoon in some parks can get a little rowdy as a long day of drinking draws to a close (or continues on into the evening!).
Where to find more information
Japan Guide have a fantastic guide with the top spots across the country including the usual time to view the blossoms in the region.
Japan Rail Pass Cherry Blossom viewing
