In Japan, spring is an excellent time for social outings, peaceful walks in nature, and selfies next to cherry trees full of candy-pink flowers. Every April, the Cherry Blossom Festival is held all over Japan. Still, since the cherry blossom period is so short, locals must enjoy the fantastic show for as long as possible.
“Cherry blossoms only open for a few weeks,” explains Akemi Hayashi, concierge chef at the Ritz-Carlton in Kyoto. Once the first bud opens, the celebration officially begins. All eyes are on the small, pale pink flowers that dominate the city’s sidewalks and parks and fill the temple gardens with vibrant colors. At the peak of cherry blossom, the Japanese participate in hanami, or outdoor picnics under colorful trees, a centuries-old tradition.
Why does Japan celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival?
Cherry blossoms are not only Japan’s national flower; they also take on additional spiritual significance in the context of Buddhist themes about death, mindfulness, and living in the moment.
Hayashi said: “The cherry blossoms of Japan are an eternal metaphor for human existence. “The blooming season is powerful, brilliant, and intoxicating, but unfortunately short-lived – a visual reminder that our lives are fleeting too.”
In addition to appreciating the beauty of the delicate white-pink flowers, the Japanese also find words and symbolism in this unique season: some even compare the cherry blossom’s short but memorable life cycle to the Japanese samurai spirit or Bushido.
When and where does the Cherry Blossom Festival take place?
This year, visitors will be treated to a fantastic show. While weather agencies across Japan report that cherry blossom season is coming earlier than usual – as soon as March 16 in the capital, Tokyo – the good news is that the blossoms won’t come all at once.
Different parts of Japan experience spring at other times: first in the south, then in the north. In Osaka, the cherry blossoms are set to bloom on March 21, while in Aomori, they bloom in mid-April. So, as long as you can get to areas like Hokkaido, Tohoku, and Hokuriku, you still have a good chance of seeing the famous cherry blossoms.
Nature is unpredictable, so no two cherry blossom seasons are the same. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, which surveys cherry blossoms at hundreds of locations across Japan, “the flowering and blooming dates of cherry blossoms depend on the temperature patterns of the previous autumn.” The buds of cherry blossoms form in the previous year’s summer.” Because of this, most guides recommend that visitors continue to check the weather forecast for updates before departure.
In Tokyo, one of the most famous places to see an impressive cherry blossom show is Shinjuku Gyoen, a park with over 1,000 cherry trees and a fantastic skyline view. (After an idyllic picnic spot, you can go right to the famous Yoyogi Park with a bento box.)
In Kyoto, Nakaragi no Michi Path is the perfect place to practice hanami: the lakeside path leads to the Kyoto Botanical Garden, where you can stroll through lush tunnels full of pink flowers.
Further south, in Ehime Prefecture, Matsuyama Castle is a stunning setting with winding streets lined with continuous cherry trees. On the first weekend of April, the Matsuyama Spring Festival welcomes flower lovers of all types, with celebrations including parades, food vendors, and much more.
For more stunning views, head to Sengoku Park in Onomichi City: Perched atop a hill, this park offers sweeping views of Japan’s natural landscape, not to mention 10,000 cherry blossoms in full bloom.
