Sakura, commonly known as cherry blossom, holds much more meaning in Japan than just being a beautiful flower. The ephemeral nature of its bloom symbolizes the transient beauty of life in Japanese culture and tradition, often drawing crowds for what is recognized as ‘Hanami’, or flower viewing.
The bloom of Sakura is weather dependent and typically begins in Okinawa in January and moves up the archipelago, ending in Hokkaido around late April or early May.
Best Spots for Sakura Viewing in Tokyo during March
Ueno Park: Home to over 1000 cherry trees, this park offers a sight to behold when they all bloom together.
Shinjuku Gyoen: This park is famous for having more than a dozen varieties of cherry trees blooming at different times.
Yoyogi Park: An urban oasis with diverse types of cherry trees.
Kyoto
The Philosopher’s Path: A scenic walk along a canal lined by hundreds of cherry trees.
Maruyama Park: The city’s most famous public park for cherry blossom viewing, with an iconic weeping cherry tree as the main attraction.
Heian Shrine: An impressive shrine compound with a beautiful garden that gets filled with cherry blossoms during the season.
Osaka
Osaka Mint Bureau: Opened to the public for a limited time during the full bloom, it’s home to a large variety of Sakura trees.
Osaka Castle Park: The castle grounds hold around 600 cherry trees, perfect for a picnic under the blossoms.
Kema Sakuranomiya Park: Located along Okawa River, it has pathways lined with thousands of cherry trees.
Sakura
Tips for Experiencing Sakura Season
Timing your Visit
Stay updated with Sakura forecasts released by meteorological agencies clear understanding of the bloom dates in different regions.
Sakura Viewing Etiquette
It’s important to respect local customs while partaking in Hanami. Picking the blooms or breaking the branches is considered disrespectful. Littering should also be avoided.
Special Sakura-themed Activities
Embark on a culinary adventure with Sakura-themed foods and drinks like Sakura tea or Sakura-flavored sweets. Don’t miss out on attending traditional performances and festivals occurring during Sakura season.
