The amazing beauty of cherry blossoms has arrived with the start of spring! The transient beauty of these delicate pink blooms, called sakura in Japanese, is celebrated in this Doodle. Since cherry blossoms are Japan’s national flower, hanami (花見), or flower gazing, is always very popular in March and April.
The blooming cherry blossoms are gone after a few days! In order to schedule visits to parks and gardens to see this springtime spectacle, many people keep track of the bloom. Cities all throughout the world, including Tokyo, Vancouver, and Washington, D.C., have massive cherry blossom festivals!
The Japan Meteorological Agency keeps an eye on roughly 50 designated cherry trees nationwide to track the bloom. Sakura flowers usually last two weeks from the emergence of the first buds to the fall of the last petals. Recent high temperatures have accelerated the bloom, according to the Japan Weather Association. Peak bloom is predicted to occur in the next ten days, but it may happen sooner if temperatures stay high.
Just one day after Japan had its first bloom of the year in the southwest city of Kochi, on the island of Shikoku, the cherry blossom season was announced.
Five Must-Visit Spots To Experience Cherry Blossom In Japan:
1. Yoshino, Kansai – Famous for its breathtaking hillside covered in sakura trees.
2. Maruyama Park, Kyoto – A perfect spot for nighttime cherry blossom viewing.
3. Hirosaki Park, Tohoku – Known for its stunning castle backdrop and vibrant sakura.
4. Fuji Five Lakes, Yamanashi – Offers a mesmerizing view of cherry blossoms with Mount Fuji.
5. Yoyogi Park, Tokyo – A popular gathering place for hanami (flower viewing) picnics.
How Are Cherry Blossom Seasons Celebrated in Japan?
In their own special ways, the Japanese celebrate the sakura season by taking walks beneath the falling petals, having picnics under the pink canopy, and even finding inspiration from literature and poetry, where cherry blossoms are symbolic of renewal, life, and death.
This week is a special time of year to stop and smell the cherry blossoms! 🌸
