April in Japan is a season of beauty and festive spirit, known for its scenic cherry blossom-viewing parties known as Hanami. The streets and parks get adorned with vibrantly blooming cherry blossom trees, gracefully sprinkling their petals to the soft, warm spring air.
Hanami Festival
Hanami, literally meaning ‘flower viewing’, is a significant cultural event that allows locals and tourists alike to celebrate the passage from winter to spring with the blooming of Sakura, or the cherry blossom trees. The tradition dates back to the Nara period (710 to 794) when it was ume blossoms that people admired in the beginning. But by the mid-Heian period, sakura came to attract more attention and hanami was synonymous with sakura.
Popular places to enjoy Hanami include Ueno park in Tokyo, Maruyama park in Kyoto, and Mint Bureau in Osaka amongst others. During Hanami season, it is common for people to have picnics under the blossoms, sometimes with songs and traditional poetry reading.
If you plan to participate in Hanami, it would be advisable to reserve your spot early in the day as parks usually get crowded. Moreover, also follow local rules and traditions such as not touching or shaking the trees.
Exploring Spring Gardens
Aside from Hanami, Japan’s diverse spring gardens offer a bounty of visual delights. Gardens, such as Kanazawa’s Kenrokuen Garden one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, and Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu, are popular destinations amongst locals and tourists alike.
These gardens showcase a variety of spring flowers and plants that typically include Sakura, Ume (Japanese plum), and Azaleas. The experience in these gardens encapsulates a significant part of traditional Japanese culture that places immense value in nature’s cyclical beauty.
While visiting these gardens, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and have ample time in hand because you would not want to rush through the experience. Come during the morning or evening for great light and lesser crowds. Always respect the rules of the parks and take care not to touch or damage any plants.
April in Japan, especially with Hanami and garden palettes, brings a riot of colors, nuances, and celebration. It is a time when the nation stops to appreciate nature’s transient beauty and basks in the spirit of life and beauty – a moment you definitely should not miss out on!
