Every spring japan is covered in cherry blossoms краткий пересказ

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The most beautiful places across Japan to see sakuras in full bloom

There is nothing like spring in Japan. In the land of the rising sun, flowers seem to bloom differently – perhaps more enthusiastically, as though there is nothing that can hold them back – as if they all blossom just to be the universe’s most beautiful reward for the country for having endured its barren and silencing winter. The most magical sight of all is undoubtedly the cherry blossoms in Japan. Before brimming with green leaves, cherry blossom trees flower and explode in swaths of pink and white – creating cloud-like flower canopies and treetops all around the cities and parks. Suddenly the country is awakening, winter is forcefully forgotten and spring arrives.

This magnificent beauty has become a vital part of life in Japan. The cherry trees only blossom for a short time, so a trip to see the cherry blossoms – known as “hanami” in Japanese – is the pinnacle of celebrating Japanese spring season in all its glory before the leaves flutter to the ground in a grand finale known as “sakura fubuki”

Here are some insider tips worth knowing before joining the crowds to admire the ephemeral beauty.

What month is the cherry blossom in Japan?

The cherry blossom has always been the symbol of spring in Japan. Most of the time, the blooming period for cherry blossoms occurs between mid-March to early May, starting from the southern parts of Japan such as Shikoku and Kyushu islands and gradually moving up to Tokyo, the Kansai region and lastly the northern parts of the country such as Akita, Aomori and Hokkaido. The full bloom period usually happens a week after the first blossom, and exact dates may vary depending on the year’s weather and climates. Every year starting in mid-February, the Japanese Meteorological Agency releases a blooming forecast that can help travellers predict when the best time to visit any cherry blossom spot in any particular city. Check the prediction regularly here: s.n-kishou.co.jp/sakura

Why is cherry blossom special to Japan?

The cherry blossom’s blooming season only lasts about two weeks. The fact that it is so short-lived is what makes the cherry blossom so special to Japan. Not just because of its picturesque spectacles – but most essentially because of the ephemerality that its blooms reflect.

A sad but beautiful admiration for this impermanence has been an important part of the Japanese mindset since ancient times. In Japanese, it’s called “mono no aware.” Our appreciation of its beauty is heightened by our awareness that the blooms will only last a few days. Thus it reminds us that nothing is more important than living in the present mindfully and seizing our time as best as we can. The cherry blossoms would not bloom in the same way the next day, and so getting out and doing “hanami” while it lasts is an act of appreciating the time that we have.

Where in Japan is best for cherry blossoms?

А).   1 raised      2 make      3 display     4 life      5 bright       6 strong       7 contest       8 transformed        9 spare       10 street
В).  11 blows out      12 exchange          13 decorate          14 attracts          15 annual          16 remind         17 entering        18 made      19 throw       20 patiently
С).  21 В       22 A       23 C      24 В        25 A        26 C       27 В       28 С       29 C       30 В
D).  31 whose     32 when      33 where       34 who      35 which
Е).  36 C          37 D        38 A         39 E         40 В
F).  41 NS         42 T        43 F         44 T        45 NS    
G).  46 В      47 C     48 E       49 A       50 D

Test 1. Задания и Ответы

A Fill in the missing word. There are three words you do not need to use.

В Underline the correct item.

11 Annabel always makes a wish before she blows out / the candles on her birthday cake.
12 Bob and Sue always exchange / gifts with each other on Christmas Eve.
13 Many people in the US / decorate their Christmas trees with popcorn.
14 The Nice Carnival is a winter event which / attracts millions of festival-goers to France each year.
15 The Tulip Festival takes place every May and is one of Holland’s most popular / annual events.

16 Please remind / me to call Linda tonight. I forgot to tell her about the costume party on Saturday.
17 Are Rosie and Sue / entering the school’s singing competition this year?
18 Everyone at the party made / a toast to Lisa and wished her a Happy Birthday.
19 In many countries around the world, people throw / streamers and dance in the streets to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
20 Don’t expect the children to wait patiently / for the treasure hunt to begin; they’re too excited!

C Choose the correct answer.

D Fill in: when, who, which, where, whose.

Everyday English

E Choose the correct response.

36 I’m a bit anxious about something.   C What’s the matter?
37 I found 20 pounds in the street!   D Lucky you!
38 Oh, no! There’s a huge spider in the bath!   A It’s alright. It’s quite harmless.
39 I didn’t do well in the competition.   E Better luck next time.
40 It’s bad luck to break a mirror.   В That’s a load of rubbish!

Reading

F Read the text and mark the sentences T (True), F (False) or Ns (Not stated).

Hanami: a Flowering Celebration!

The beginning of spring (March-April) is a very special time in Japan, because this is when Japan’s famous cherry trees come into flower. The Japanese celebrate this happy time with festivals and flower-viewing parties.

At the end of winter, everyone’s excitement starts to grow. The whole country wants to know the exact day when the cherry flowers (‘sakura’) will appear. Starting in February, weathermen try to guess when this day will be.

When the first flowers open on the trees, national joy breaks out! There are rides and games for children in the street, music and dance performances, tea ceremonies, flower displays, and much more. But the most special thing that people do at this time is have ‘hanami’ parties. Hanami means flower watching. In hanami parties, families and friends take a picnic and go and sit under a cherry tree to look at and admire the flowers. Hanami parties take place during the daytime and also at night, because when it is dark, lights light up the cherry trees.

Hanami is very important to the Japanese. Cherry blossoms appear on trees for only one week before they fall to the ground and die, and for the Japanese this symbolises the short nature of childhood and life. So hanami is a time when Japanese people like to think about how important life is.

41 Spring is the Japanese people’s favourite time of year.  NS
42 It is not easy to know the day the cherry flowers will open.  T
43 Hanami takes place a week after the cherry trees blossom.  F
44 The cherry flowers do not stay on the trees for very long.  T
45 When the cherry flowers appear, people hope for long lives.  NS

Listening

G Listen to some people talking on a radio programme about special occasions and match the speakers (1-5) to the statements (A-E).

46 Speaker 1 В This event signals the end of childhood.
47 Speaker 2 C We look very colourful during this event.
48 Speaker 3 E We become very wet during this celebration.
49 Speaker 4 A This event lasts for seven days.
50 Speaker 5 D This event goes back to medieval times.

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Thinking of Japanese symbols, besides Mt. Fuji, we’ve all come to think of cherry blossoms, or Sakura, right? Although cherry blossoms are present in many countries around the world, they are most loved and cherished in Japan. Every year, during the cherry blossom season, Japanese people eagerly participate in the cherry blossom viewing festivals, also known as Hanami festivals, which is considered a festival to welcome spring after a long cold period.

If you plan to visit Japan in spring in the near future, this is all that you need to know about the Hanami festival!

The Origin of Hanami Festivals

In Japanese, “hana” means flower and “mi” means to watch or look at. So, the Hanami festival literally is a flower viewing festival. The “flowers” here are mostly Sakura (cherry blossoms) or Ume (apricot or plum) blossoms.

This festival has a long history dating back to the Nara period (710-794). Around this time, Hanami was originally to view ume blossoms – an activity only celebrated at the tea parties of Japanese aristocrats. They often held parties under the plum or cherry trees to talk together, write poetry, or drink wine while watching the cherry blossom petals fall gently through the air.

However, by the Heian period (794-1185), the festival became popular for all people to enjoy thanks to Emperor Heian. From here, Hanami officially became a national festival, becoming one of the oldest traditional festivals in Japan.

Hanami combines the charming natural scenery with the participation of people chatting and eating while enjoying the beauty of the cherry blossoms – the symbolic flower of Japan.

Not having a Hanami festival in your area doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the beautiful spring season like the Japanese. Sakuraco sends traditional Japanese sweets, snacks, and tableware to your door from local makers in Japan every month, perfect for an enjoyable tea time with family and friends this spring!

Popular locations to enjoy Hanami Festivals

The most beautiful cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo are Yasukuni Shrine, parks such as Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Koishikawa Korakuen, the Imperial Palace, or Meguro River. Kyunaka River is also one of the most popular cherry blossoms viewing spots in Tokyo where you can enjoy the fresh breeze of spring in a kayak cruise while admiring the beauty of cherry blossoms along the way.

Osaka

Osaka Castle is not only a place to learn about Japanese history; it’s also a popular spot to see the cherry blossoms and enjoy Osaka culture. Image via Shutterstock

In Osaka, the lively residents and visitors often participate in the Hanami festival on the Okawa River – the center of the city. Here you can sit on a boat on the river, watching the cherry blossoms fly all over the two banks of the river. In addition, Osaka Castle, EXPO Park, and Hirakata park also offer marvelous views of cherry blossoms in Osaka.

Kyoto

When visiting Kyoto to participate in the Hanami cherry blossom festival, people gather in Daigoji Temple, Nijo Castle, Hirano Shrine, and Kamogawa River. Coming to Kyoto in the Sakura season, you can feel a more ancient and traditional aspect of Japan as people usually dress in kimono (traditional Japanese garb) and stroll along the old Japanese streets lit up by hundreds of cherry blossom trees.

Hanami Festival Activities

One of the popular Hanami festival traditions involve having a drink or two. It is a celebration, after all. Image via Shutterstock

Cherry blossom viewing

Of course, this is the main activity at every Hanami festival. Depending on the location of the festivals, you can choose your favorite way to watch the cherry blossoms, such as walking, sitting under the trees in a park, or renting a boat to see the flowers on the river.

There are more than 50 different types of cherry blossoms for you to enjoy at the different hanami festivals in Japan, each of which has distinctive characteristics and is beautiful in its own way. In addition to the most commonly seen cherry blossom, called Somei-yoshino, there are other varieties of Sakura, such as ones with dozens of overlapping petals (Yae-zakura) or the drooping Sakura known as Benishidare.

Picnic and tea party

You can also choose a beautiful spot to spread a tarp, display homemade dishes, and have an enjoyable picnic with family and friends. In some places, Hanami festivals are held until the late evening, when the cherry blossom trees are lit up, providing a beautiful view of Sakura, called yozakura, meaning “night Sakura”. So, visitors can go during the day or stay out until the night to enjoy the bustling atmosphere, needing plenty of food either way.

Enjoying tea under cherry blossom trees is also a very popular activity at Hanami festivals. Tea is also one of Japan’s specialties, so enjoying a tea party at a Hanami festival is a unique cultural experience that you should not miss if you have the opportunity to visit Japan during the spring season. It’s important to pick the perfect tea based on what Japanese picnic foods you prepare.

Explore Japanese Traditional Foods

When it comes to Hanami, it is impossible not to mention traditional Japanese dishes. One of the dishes that often makes an appearance in Hanami festivals is the bento – lunch boxes filled with meticulous and thoughtful preparation. Moreover, Hanami would not be complete without Hanamizake, a favorite drink of Japanese people during the cherry blossom festival.

On top of that, during the Hanami festival, you can easily encounter street foods like hanami dango (skewered rice cakes) or takoyaki (octopus balls) sold at many food carts at the festival. Cherry blossoms are not just for viewing but are also used to prepare dishes to pray for good luck such as: Sakura mochi (pounded rice cakes), cherry blossom soba noodles (thin buckwheat noodles), cherry blossom rice balls, fresh chocolate from cherry blossoms and more.

Here’s a tip: Always check the food stalls in the area before you buy. One stall might have an even more delicious-looking version than the first stall you see. Image via Shutterstock

When to Celebrate Hanami

Sakura bloom depending on the climate of each region, starting from the warmest place in the Southernmost of Japan – Okinawa – as early as late January. Then they will gradually spread to the Northern parts in late March and early April or until May in Hokkaido.

So, Hanami festivals are held early in the Southern areas and later in Northern Japan. For that reason, people can travel from South to North to enjoy Sakura while immersing themselves in this festive season all over the country. Every year, the weather forecast centers will predict the time of the cherry blossom bloom, notifying their citizens of the dates and the most beautiful areas so people can prepare for the Hanami festivals.

Beautiful as it is, cherry blossoms are also fragile as the flowers usually last no more than two weeks. After the very first cherry blossoms start to bloom, they’re in full bloom about a week later – which is the time cherry blossoms are at their best, falling after another week.

Sometimes, wind or rain end them even earlier than that. So, it’s recommended to check out the status of the cherry blossoms at the places you want to visit and plan your time accordingly. Perhaps the most beautiful time of all is near the end of the season, when the petals fall like snow in every light breeze.

If you have the chance, check out Hakodate City in Hokkaido. Goryokaku Park is a beautiful and popular Hanami festival spot in early May. Image via Shutterstock

What Does Sakura Mean to Japan?

People are attracted to Sakura not only because of their beauty, but also their fragility and short lifespan. Japanese people see it as an analogy for human life, reminding everyone of humanity’s fragile nature and encouraging us to make the most of our short lives.

Then again, it goes without saying their popularity may have more to do with aesthetics. Whether seen up close as a single flower or from far away when it looks like a pink and white cloud, cherry blossoms have a very unique beauty.

If you have a chance to visit Japan in spring, don’t miss the opportunity to witness the beauty of the cherry blossom by taking part in a Hanami festival!

F Прочитайте текст и отметьте предложения как Т (правда), F (ложь) или Ns (не указано)

Ханами: Праздник цветов!

Начало весны (март-апрель) это очень особое время в Японии, потому что это то, когда цветут известные вишневые деревья. Японцы отмечают это счастливое время фестивалями и вечеринками цветов.

К концу зимы радость всех начинает расти. Вся страна хочет знать точный день, когда появятся цветки вишни («сакура»). Начиная с февраля, метеоролог пытается угадать, когда этот день настанет.

Когда первые цветы раскрываются на деревьях, взрывается национальная радость! На улицах гонки и игры для детей, музыка и танцевальные представления, чайные церемонии, выставки цветов, и многое другое. Но самая особенная вещь, которую делают люди в это время это вечеринки «ганами».

Ганами означает наблюдение за цветами. На вечеринках Ганами семьи и друзья ездят на пикники, и сидят под вишнями, чтобы наслаждаться видами и восхищаться цветами. Ганами вечеринки проводятся в дневное время, и также ночью, потому что когда темно, огни зажигаются на вишневых деревьях.

Ганами очень важно для японцев. Цветки вишни появляются на деревьях всего лишь на неделю, прежде чем они упадут на землю и погибнут; и для всех японцев это символизирует короткую пору детства и жизни. Так, ганами это время, когда японцам нравится подумать о том, как важна жизнь.

ГДЗ #

41 Весна это любимое время года японцев. (Ns)

42 Не так просто узнать день, когда будут раскрываться цветы вишни (Т)

43 Ганами длится неделю, после того как цветки вишни расцветут (F)

44 Цветки вишни не держатся на деревьях долго (Т)

45 Когда появляются цветки вишни, люди надеются на долгую жизнь (Ns)

F Read the text and mark the sentences T (True), F (False) or Ns (Not stated). Hanami: A Flowering Celebration! The beginning of spring (March-ApriI) is a very special time in Japan, because this is when Japan’s famous cherry trees come into flower. The Japanese celebrate this happy time with festivals and flower-viewing parties. At the end of winter, everyone’s excitement starts to grow. The whole country wants to know the exact day when the cherry flowers (‘sakura’) will appear. Starting in February, weathermen try to guess when this day will be. When the first flowers open on the trees, national joy breaks out! There are rides and games for children in the street, music and dance performances, tea ceremonies, flower displays, and much more. But the most special thing that people do at this time is have ‘hanami’ parties. Hanami means flower watching. In hanami parties, families and friends take a picnic and go and sit under a cherry tree to Iook at and admire the flowers. Hanami parties take place during the daytime and also at night, because when it is dark, lights light up the cherry trees. Hanami is very important to the Japanese. Cherry blossoms appear on trees for only one week before they fall to the ground and die, and for the Japanese this symbolises the short nature of childhood and life. So hanami is a time when Japanese people Iike to think about how important Iife is. 41 Spring is the Japanese people’s favourite time of year. (Ns) 42 It is not easy to know the day the cherry flowers will open. (T) 43 Hanami takes place a week after the cherry trees blossom. (F) 44 The cherry flowers do not stay on the trees for very long. (T) 45 When the cherry flowers appear, people hope for long lives.(Ns)

На этой странице вы сможете найти и списать готовое домешнее задание (ГДЗ) для школьников по предмету Английский язык, которые посещают 9 класс из книги или рабочей тетради под названием/издательством “Spotlight”, которая была написана автором/авторами: Дули, Ваулина, Подоляко. ГДЗ представлено для списывания совершенно бесплатно и в открытом доступе.

Cherry blossoms and other alternatives

Early spring in Japan is synonymous with cherry blossoms . Every year, a pink wave sweeps over the archipelago and, for a time, the Japanese live and breathe sakura. But, in parallel with the phenomenon and from February, other flowers adorn the landscapes with shimmering colors and attract crowds.

Discover with us the cherry blossom and its alternatives , we guide you in the Japanese tradition of Hanami .

Japanese cherry blossoms

We often hear about the cherry blossom season as the best time to travel to Japan.

The petals of the Japanese cherry blossoms, whose shape is reminiscent of a heart, have the palest pink, almost white color. From the end of March to mid-April, they cover the archipelago with pinkish clouds. Their flowering, short and magnificent, symbolizes the ephemeral side of life, a notion deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Called sakura in Japanese, these flowers have become, over the centuries, one of the strongest symbols of the archipelago.

Turn over your 100 yen coins, they are there!

Hanami? What is that ?

Hanami is a Japanese tradition celebrating the end of winter and the arrival of fine weather on the archipelago. This Hanami tradition comes from a Shinto belief that the spirits of the gods come every year to inhabit these little pink flowers. Since then, the tradition of bringing offerings at the feet of the cherry trees has turned into a real national holiday.

The Hanami tradition has now become the symbol of the arrival of spring on the archipelago and leads to a festive atmosphere throughout the archipelago! The moment the pink buds begin to open, the Japanese grab their picnic blankets and rush to the park to take pictures, drink sake and have fun with colleagues, friends or family.

Where to do Hanami in Tokyo? Where to take the most beautiful photos of cherry blossoms?

Ueno is the place to go to do Hanami. From dawn until midnight, the park is always full. At Sakura time, a festive and convivial atmosphere reigns in the capital.

To flee for a while from the crowd that presses under the trees, nothing better than to jump into the water. Take a boat on the Sumida River and get a closer look at the petal-heavy branches brushing the water.

When do Japanese cherry trees bloom?

The flowering of cherry trees extends from March to May on the archipelago. But be warned, cherry blossoms vary each year and fall victim to the vagaries of the weather. A cold spell, hot spell or downpour can affect the flowering period, from the moment the flowers open to their lifespan.

So chase the sakura while traveling in the archipelago! Japan stretching over 3,000 km from north to south, the flowering will not be at the same time in Hokkaido and Kyushu. It is then possible to admire the cherry blossoms from early March to May.

The sakura are then only a flight or a train journey away from you.

Go Sakura hunting and consider JRP for more flexibility and freedom

Hanami is not just synonymous with cherry blossoms. The word is constructed from the characters Hana , meaning flower, and Mi , meaning to see/look. We can therefore practice hanami with all types of flowers ! And the ever-popular sakura are n’t the only flowers to bloom with the arrival of spring.

Ideal if you miss their blooms or if you want to escape the crowds, we invite you to admire these other flowers, which are no less magnificent.

What are the spring flowers in Japan? When and where to go see them?

The first flowers announcing the coming of spring are those of the plum tree ! Plum trees bloom in a variety of different colors, often bright, and fill the air with a delicious fragrance.

At Kairaku-en Japanese Garden in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, 100 varieties of more than 3,000 plum trees bloom in an enchanting spectacle.

Where to see plum blossoms in Tokyo?

Coming from the good relationship the Netherlands and Japan have had for hundreds of years, tulips are found in their thousands from north to south of the country and bloom in a rainbow of colours.

Tonami Tulip Park in Toyama Prefecture, with its two million tulips of 600 different species, is Japan’s most famous place to observe them.

Where to see tulips in Japan?

Also called “lawn cherry trees”, these are small flowers growing at ground level and adorning the landscape with a sublime coat of shades of pink, ranging from the palest, almost white, to the most vivid!

Head to the Fuji Shibazakura Festival, where 800,000 of these creepers flourish with Mount Fuji in the background .

Where to go to see shibazakura in Japan?

Also called “Flower of Fuji”, the wisteria is a flower tree very appreciated in Japan for its large clusters of flowers of a soft pastel color.

Head to Ashikaga Flower Park to admire the breathtaking cascades of wisteria flowers. A word of advice: illuminated at night, they are even more spectacular.

Where to see wisteria in Japan?

The color of hydrangeas is often associated with the blue color of the sky on sunny days, but it is beds of white, blue, green, purple or pink petals that they offer us. Their flowering closes the spring season and announces the coming of summer!

To admire them, we recommend the Meigetsuin temple, also called Ajisaidera, in Kamakura.

Where to see hydrangeas in Japan?

С Выберите верный ответ.

21 У Джорджии (В) есть много маскарадных костюмов. Почему бы тебе не одолжить один у нее за сегодняшнюю вечеринку.

22 (А) Какие ошеломляющие костюмы они носят!

23 Это платье выглядит (С) великолепно на Марии; розовый действительно ее цвет.

24 Дети играют в саду все утро; вот почему их одежда грязная.

25 Весенний международный музыкальный фестиваль в Праге (А) начинается в середине мая и длится около 2х недель.

26 Марк еще не нашел время купить костюм на вечеринку Хэллоуин (С)?

27 Кейт не ходит под лестницей (В) с тех пор, как услышала, что это к неудаче.

28 Почему (С) ты нюхаешь этот сыр? С ним что-то не так?

29 Мой брат (С) никогда не разыгрывает людей первоапрельскими шутками, потому что он не хочет ставить их в неловкое положение.

30 Дженет (B) подумывает принять участие в параде Мардигра на следующей неделе.

21 B (has)

22 A (What)

23 C (looks)

24 B (have been playing)

25 A (starts)

26 C (yet)

27 B (since)

28 C (are smelling)

29 C (never)

30 B (is thinking)

C Choose the correct answer. 21 Georgia (B) many fancy dress costumes. Why don’t you borrow one from her for tonight’s party? A is having B has C has had 22 (A) stunning costumes they’re wearing! A What B How C What a 23 That dress (C) great on Maria; pink is really her colour. A is looking B has been looking C looks 24 The children (B) in the garden all morning; that’s why their clothes are dirty. A have played B have been playing C play 25 The Prague Spring International Music Festival (A) in the middle of May and lasts for about two weeks. A starts B is starting C has started 26 Has Mark found time to buy a costume for the Halloween party (C)? A just B now C yet 27 Kate has not walked under a ladder (B) she heard it was bad luck. A for B since C ago 28 Why (C) this cheese? Is there something wrong with it? A you are smelling B do you smell C are you smelling 29 My brother (C) plays April Fool’s jokes on people because he doesn’t want to embarrass them. A usually B sometimes C never 30 Janet (B) about taking part in the Mardi Gras parade next week. A think B is thinking C thinks

Japan’s cherry blossom season is iconic, but where and when is best to see it? The pink sakura flowers usually open between late March and early May, but this can vary from year to year.

It’s important to know that blooms appear at different times across Japan. Sakura can appear as early as February low down in Okinawa, or as late as May up in the chilly Hokkaido region.

So if you’ve missed the cherry blossom where you are, you may still be able to catch it up north!

Here’s how to pinpoint the best times and places to visit Japan for cherry blossoms.

When is cherry blossom season this year?

Japan’s cherry blossom season is fleeting. If you’re visiting for the blossom, it’s a long way to go only to realise you’ve arrived early or late. Luckily, Japan has its own cherry blossom forecast.

The Japan Meteorological Corporation release forecasts before and throughout the season.

The cherry blossom season forecast takes into account when cherry blossom season was the previous year. Below is the table of cherry blossom season in 2022, from earliest to latest.

Okinawa – 22nd January to 6th February

Fukuoka – 17th to 31st March

Tokyo – 21st March to 3rd April

Hiroshima – 21st March to 5th April

Nagoya – 22nd March to 4th April

Osaka – 23rd March to 5th April

Matsumoto – 5th to 13th April

Fukushima – 4th to 16th April

Sendai – 8th to 17th April

Hirosaki – 14th to 26th April

Hakodate – 21st April to 1st May

Sapporo – 23rd April to 1st May

You can also use this handy interactive tool on Sakura Navi, which is regularly updated.

It’s worth noting the cherry blossom in 2022 was relatively early, as the peak of the season is usually around a week later. Keep checking the forecast to see what 2023 might bring!

How long do cherry blossom flowers last?

Cherry blossom at full bloom only lasts around a week, which is why it’s essential to check the forecast. The pink flowers start as buds and are at their most beautiful when in full bloom.

Cherry blossom buds – The first stage, green buds appear on the cherry blossom tree

Buds start to bloom – After swelling, the buds burst to reveal beautiful pink flowers

Cherry blossom at full bloom – Time can vary depending on temperature and wind

Beginning to disperse – After peak bloom, the pink petals fall gracefully from the tree

Hazakura (green leaves) – You’re too late for cherry blossom, try moving up north

The Japanese see cherry blossoms as a symbol of life, and their fleeting life cycle has inspired many poems and artworks. You ideally want to catch the tree when its blooms are fully open.

Where are the best places to see cherry blossoms?

From pink-covered mountain slopes to city gardens and parks, there are some amazing places in Japan to see cherry blossom. Here are 6 of the best spots and why they’re so special.

Hirosaki Castle, Tohoku

A famous cherry blossom spot in the Tohoku region, Hirosaki Castle is one of Japan’s most popular places to see sakura. The park has over 2,000 trees in around 50 varieties, and the blooms are later on in the year than in some areas. Look out for different coloured blooms!

Best time to visit: 2022’s festival was from 23rd April to the 5th of May.

Ueno Park, Tokyo

If you’re in Tokyo during Japan’s cherry blossom season, there’s no excuse not to visit Ueno Park. There are 1,000+ cherry trees, and people line up along Main Street to enjoy the sakura.

After dark, lanterns illuminate the cherry blossoms so they can be enjoyed well into the night.

Best time to visit: If you’re visiting Tokyo for sakura, aim for 21st March to 3rd April.

Mount Yoshino, Kansai

With over 200 types and 30,000 individual trees, Mount Yoshino is one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. The mountain is covered by a beautiful carpet of pink cherry blossom trees. Shuttle buses run to and from the mountain during cherry blossom season.

Best time to visit: April 5th to 13th, estimated by Yoshino Town and Fuji Five Lakes.

Sagano Scenic Railway, Kyoto

A lovely sightseeing train, this railway attraction takes around 25 minutes to ride. You’ll see a forested ravine and rural scenery from the nostalgic wooden train car. Obviously, this is also a fantastic way to experience the cherry blossom in spring – the train passes under tunnels of it.

Best time to visit: March 30th to April 6th, although the railway is also popular in autumn.

Chureito Pagoda, Mount Fuji

This recently-built structure offers amazing views of Mount Fuji, and is one of the most popular photography spots in Japan. There’s a bit of a climb, but it’s well worth it to see the sakura.

In spring, the pagoda appears to float in a sea of cherry blossom trees, making it a unique sight.

Best time to visit: Visit around April 12th to 19th, you could even build it into a Fuji climb.

Takato Castle Ruins Park, Nagano

With over 1500 trees, this peaceful park is another one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Japan. A festival to celebrate the sakura is held every year, so you can enjoy food stalls and nighttime illuminations with other cherry blossom fans. It gets busy, so try to avoid weekends.

Best time to visit: The cherry blossom festival starts on 27th March and lasts about a week.

What happens at cherry blossom festivals?

Cherry blossom is a big deal in Japan, representing the fleeting things in life. You’ll find many poems, paintings and musings about cherry blossom – not to mention festivals across Japan.

Known as “Hanami” in Japanese, it translates to “viewing flowers” but usually means sakura.

Hanami festivals often involve picnics in parks filled with blossoms, enjoying time with friends and family outdoors, and plenty of sake flowing right into the night. They can get quite competitive too, especially when picking the best picnic spots in the park. Some people arrive days early!

As well as viewing cherry blossoms during sakura season, Hanami festivals are a great place to experience the Japanese tea ceremony. Nothing compares to a ritual under the cherry trees.

Want to find out more about Japan’s great outdoors? Try these amazing hikes and walks.

Each spring, people wait with bated breath for the first flushes of pink that indicate the blooming of the celebrated cherry blossoms in Japan. Cherry blossoms are an integral part of Japanese culture. The whole county waits with bated breath for the first flushes of pink petals. Usually, the blooms burst into color between March and April (depending on the temperature and weather conditions). Each year the earliest blooms appear in tropical Okinawa around February, and the last ones appear in northern Hokkaido in early May. There are also tons of tree varieties, each blooming at a slightly different time. Peak cherry blossom season is short. From buds to bloom to the petals falling from the trees, the entire process typically lasts no more than a few weeks. Here’s everything you need to know about the cherry blossoms in Japan.

Cherry blossoms at Meguro Canal in Tokyo

Why Is Cherry Blossom Season So Important In Japan?

Cherry blossoms, or sakura in Japanese, have been celebrated in Japanese culture for thousands of years. Their short blooming period is seen as more than just a chance to admire some pretty petals; it’s seen as a meditation on life, death and renewal and the ephemeral nature of being. The meaning of cherry blossom is many-layered; it can be found in Japanese literature, poetry and art. It’s scrolled into the swords of the samurai, as a symbol for fallen soldiers, of new beginnings and of friendship.

Cherry blossoms in are such a big deal that even its meteorological department has a service dedicated to forecasting the first blooms. The national news gives daily reports on them and there are festivals held in their honor across the country. Lots of Japanese people eagerly await March and April as a time to witness these blossoms, to attend cherry blossom festivals of Japan or to simply enjoy Hanami.

What Does Hanami Mean In Japanese?

Hanami is the tradition of viewing and enjoying the beauty of the cherry blossom. It translates as ‘flower viewing’ as it is often a sociable affair in Japanese culture. Across the country, families and friends equipped with picnic boxes, gather under cherry blossom trees to eat, drink and make merry. In the evenings, lights and lanterns are laced into branches so the pink flowers appear to glow in the dark. It is a tradition known as Yozakura.

Cherry trees in full bloom at Chidorigafuchi Park with recreational boats in Tokyo

Where To See Cherry Blossom In Japan?

There are over 1,000 popular spots across the country from where one can watch Japanese cherry blossoms. Choosing just one best place is tough, so here we have picked some of the best spots to view cherry blossoms in Japan:

Come sakura season, this is probably Japan’s most famous cherry-bloom destination. It’s known for the carpet of blooms that cascade down the mountainsides.

Maruyama Park

This park is home to a huge tree, whose blossom-fringed branches are illuminated in the evening from dusk until midnight. Try visiting nearby Mount Yoshino which is covered in over 30,000 Japanese cherry trees.

Himeji Castle

The striking white wooden walls of this historic castle are the perfect backdrop for the 1,000 cherry trees bursting into life around it.

Fuji Five Lakes

These stunning lakes near Mount Fuji are another excellent place to view cherry blossoms. You can also visit the nearby volcanic island of Honshu and take a dip in the hot spring with silky petals swirling all around.

Hirosaki Castle in Aomori is an ancient three-story castle surrounded by a fortified moat and a huge tree-lined park that’s home to an impressive 2,500 cherry trees.

Tokyo’s Ueno Park has wonderful viewing parties. You can also walk along the Nakameguro River, where vendors set up stalls selling sakura sweets, festival food and pink champagne.

Kyoto is famed for its cherry-tree-lined Kamo river promenade. Also visit Maruyama Park, where cherry trees are illuminated at night and the Philosopher’s Path – a canal path lined with hundreds of cherry trees.

Matsushima Bay

Matsushima Bay is famous for its tree-covered mountainside and bay. Each spring, its 260 cherry trees spring to life, framing the wild landscape with their delicate beauty.

Matsumae Park

Matsumae Park is full of historical carvings and Buddhist temples, which perfectly frame the swaying of numerous varieties of cherry blossoms that grow here.

Yokohama Bay

An often overlooked destination, the port city of Yokohama, just south of Tokyo, is a cherry blossom hotspot. Along the bay is Sakura-Dori, a walkway lined with cherry trees.

What Should You Be Aware Of When You Visit Cherry Blossoms In Japan?

When you finally get a chance to watch the cherry blossoms in Japan, remember to check if the destination allows Hanami. Some places ban it as it ruins the grass. After you’ve picked a spot, place your mat or blanket away from the tree roots so as not to damage them. It’s also considered sacrilege to pick flowers or snap any branches so don’t do that. Once you’re done, remember to clean up and deposit all your waste in a bin.

Mt. Fuji, and cherry blossoms in Spring.

Things To Carry To A Hanami Party In Japan

If you are going for a Hanami Party in Japan, a few preparations in advance can make the cherry blossoms in Japan much more enjoyable. Be it with family or friends, don’t forget to pack the below items!

Picnic Sheet or Mat – Depending on the size of the group, carry picnic sheets to spread on the spot where you will be enjoying the cherry blossoms in Japan.

Easy-To-Eat Foods – Carry easy to eat and easy to handle food as the cleaning and washing can be avoided after eating.

Disposable Plates and Cups – After all it’s a small picnic, who wants to waste time cleaning and packing back the utensils. Bringing these will also help in sharing your food and drinks with others.

Paper Towels and Wipes – Easiest way to clean up things is with the paper napkins or wipes. Disposing them is also very easy, hence put some in your picnic basket.

Garbage Bags – Last but not the least it’s important to clean up once the Hanami party is over. Dispose of your trash in the dustbin. If you don’t find one, carry your trash back home with you.

Carry a Smile – On a lighter note, always carry a smile on your face, there will be many people to greet and meet.

Some Fun Facts About Cherry Blossoms In Japan

• Cherry blossoms also known as “sakura” are Japan’s national flower.
• Hanami picnics are more spectacular at night as all the Cherry blossom trees are illuminated with paper lanterns.
• According to the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C., flower symbolizes friendship between Japan and the U.S.
• The peak bloom time of Cherry Blossom is usually around April 4th.
• These flowers are used to make some of the best-selling fragrance in the U.S.
• There are approximately 200 different varieties of cherry blossoms.

If you’re planning a trip, club it with the festival of cherry blossoms in Japan for a truly unique experience. Depending on the weather conditions the arrival of cherry blossoms in Japan may vary slightly each year. Don’t expect to see the flowers wherever you go, blooming happens in different places at times. So check for the dates before booking your tickets.

What do cherry blossoms symbolize?

Cherry blossoms are a symbolic flower of the spring that symbolizes an omen of good fortune.

When is the best time to book a holiday to see the cherry blossom?

Between March and April is the best time to see the cherry blossoms in Japan. Book at least 3-4 months in advance to get the best deals.

How long is the cherry blossom season in Japan?

Cherry blossom season lasts for about 2 to 3 weeks, but you can enjoy the cherry blossoms at peak bloom for about one week.

Japan is a magnificent destination to explore whatever time of year you decide to visit, but we’ve all heard about how exceptional beautiful the cherry blossom season and the autumn leaves season are. So, which one is best? It’s a fierce battle of soft pinks and fiery reds and could go either way – both have strong ties to Japan’s culture and identity; each is celebrated for its natural beauty, and both are all-out spectacular.

All of our Japan tours have dates that visit during both seasons, so read on to discover which one might be right for your Japan adventure.

What’s the story?

Every year, as spring approaches, cherry blossom fever takes hold of Japan. It’s so highly anticipated, the Japanese Meteorological Agency forecasts its arrival! Known in Japan as sukura, these beautiful trees are not simply for admiring, they also have strong connections to Japan’s history, culture and identity. From late March to early May, depending on whereabouts in Japan you are, shades of soft whites and pinks carpet the country, blooming for about a week before the flower petals drift gracefully to the ground. To many, this symbolises the transience of human life and something that should be well and truly celebrated.

How does it feel?

The art of watching, celebrating and cherishing the cherry blossoms is known as ‘hanami’ which roughly translates as ‘flower watching’. As the season approaches a great enthusiasm builds as locals prepare for large picnic parties beneath the blossoms with their friends and family. They will drink sake, known as hanami-zake as this time of year, and feast on special hanami bento boxes and pink themed sweets and drinks such as sakura mochi, hanami dango, strawberries and even sakura flavoured chocolate bars, like KitKats!

History

The frenzy around cherry blossom stretches back 1,200 years to when its appearance signified the start of the rice-planting season. As time passed, its popularity grew alongside the philosophical beliefs of the Japanese, where appreciation of nature and the natural order is rife. Today, the few weeks where cherry blossoms bloom are the most popular time to visit Japan, and perhaps the most spectacular.

Autumn Leaves

Around 70% of Japan is covered in forests of deciduous trees and as temperatures drop and autumn sweeps south through the nation, the country explodes into a fiery tapestry of reds, oranges and golds. Not as fleeting as the cherry blossoms, the autumn colours stay for around two months, starting in September in the far north of Hokkaido, reaching Tokyo and Kyoto in November, and continuing south into early December. Like with the annual cherry blossom forecast, the progress of the autumn leaves are tracked across the county; they go at a much more leisurely pace than the sakura!

The tradition of momiji-gari has its roots in the Heian Period (794-1185AD) where noble families and scholars would enjoy nature’s shift from green to gold. It only became more widely popular much later, in the Edo Period (1603-1868AD) when avid leaf spotters would travel vast distances to see a particularly spectacular display. A tradition that continues today!

Conclusion

Japan in either cherry blossom or autumn leaves season is vibrant, colourful and unforgettable. If you love your pink and want to experience the country abuzz with excitement, we say plump for cherry blossom. If the fiery reds and oranges call to you and a more tranquil visit – then autumn leaves might be just the thing.

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