Каждую весну Япония покрывается цветущей вишней. Чтобы увидеть это прекрасное зрелище, по всей стране проводятся фестивали цветения сакуры. Три недели гуляний проходят в конце марта и начале апреля. После

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A cherry blossom is the flower from a Prunus tree, of which there are many different kinds. Species cherry blossoms are found throughout the world being especially common in regions in the Northern Hemisphere with temperate climates, including Japan, China, and Korea, as well as Nepal, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, and several areas across northern Europe.
Japan is particularly famous for its cherry blossom due its large number of varieties and the nationwide celebrations during the blooming season. As the buds burst open in parks and streets across the country, people throw picnic and hanami (flower viewing) parties to appreciate the transient beauty of the flowers and welcome in the warmer weather. Cherry blossoms in Japanese are known as sakura and it would not be an exaggeration to say they are a national obsession.

Where can you find sakura trees?

The most common species of cherry blossom in Japan is the “Somei-yoshino” or Yoshino cherry, a hybrid between two other species. It is known for its almost entirely white petals tinged with the faintest of pinks. It is often planted along rivers or castle moats, forming a tunnel of shimmering pale shades that reflect off the water. You can also find them around parks and schools.
Another beautiful variety is the Kawazu-zakura, commonly found in the Kawazu area in the southern part of Izu Peninsula, just over 2-and-a-half hours from Tokyo by train. These blossoms are a stronger shade of pink that Somei-Yoshino and they bloom around a month earlier, usually from later February to early March. Kawazu-zakura Cherry Blossoms Festival is a spectacular sight that attracts around one million people every year.
However, if you’re not visiting in spring, there still are blossoms to be found. The shikizakura, literally “four season sakura,” blooms twice a year and is a popular sight in Aichi Prefecture where in autumn you can admire the contrast of the vibrant red leaves and delicate pink flowers at the same time.
For those wanting to raise their very own sakura, it has become popular to buy a tree, plant it and raise it yourself, with home centers such as Home Depot in the United States selling ready-to-plant trees for budding botanists. In Japan, you can even find exquisitely shaped cherry blossom bonsai, miniature trees that beautifully combine two symbols of Japanese culture in one.

The meaning and symbolism of cherry blossom

Cherry blossoms bloom at different times depending on the area, but in general they are associated with late March and early April. This is the end of the school year and the beginning, a time where students might graduate and start the work force. It is a time associated with the end of one chapter, and the opening of the next. In Japanese, the word “natsukashi” reflects a kind of nostalgia tinged with both happiness and sadness. Given the timing of their blooming, cherry blossoms also embody this sense of nostalgia for many Japanese.

Cherry blossoms in Japan

Admiring and celebrating cherry blossoms are a national pastime in Japan, with forecasts for their blooming in Tokyo and other cities on the main island of Honshu coming out as early as January. There will be fervent discussions about where to see the blossoms, from popular spots to secret sites. Friends, classmates and colleagues alike will organize viewing parties to appreciate the blossoms and have a relaxing time to welcome in spring.

Cherry blossom season in Japan

Cherry blossom season in Japan is generally said to be late March to April, but given the geographical scope of the country, the blooming period actually covers around 4 months!
In the subtropical islands of Okinawa in the south, cherry blossoms begin blooming in mid-January, with the best viewing time around early February.

Next, the southern cities of Kagoshima, Kumamoto and even Fukuoka on Kyushu start to bloom during the last week of March, with peak bloom in early April.
Moving northwards up to Kansai, where you’ll find Osaka, Kyoto and Nara, blossoms open as March turns to April.
For Tokyo and Yokohama, flowering tends to begin in the last few days of March with full bloom in the first week of April.
The northern cities in Tohoku break into bloom well into April, with Hirosaki on the northern tip of Honshu starting to bloom and peak in the last week of the month.

Of course, the northern island of Hokkaido comes last. Flowering usually begins in the first week of May in the cities of Sapporo and Hakodate, with peak bloom just a few a days later.

Cherry blossom festivals

If you are able to visit Japan during cherry blossom season, it is an opportunity not to be missed and will make an unforgettable trip.

Nakameguro Sakura-matsuri Festival