Japan is a country full of beauty, rich culture and ancient traditions and one of the most iconic experiences you can have is watching the breathtaking cherry blossom season. Each spring brings such a beautiful landscape of pink and white flowers in Japan that it becomes a tourist magnet. Thus, the cherry blossoms, or sakura, are an important part of Japanese culture with a sense of ephemeral beauty. This magical season will surely get you excited whether you walk through parks, lay by rivers or simply enjoy the sakura festivals full festive atmosphere.
Thus, planning in advance is absolutely necessary to have the most out of your cherry blossom experience. If you are prepared, you can fully absorb Japan’s sakura season. Make sure to secure your Japan Visa so you don’t have any problems. For those traveling from India, you can start your journey to one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life by checking out the Japan visa from India.
Here is a guide to experiencing the cherry blossom season in Japan.
1. Plan Your Visit during Peak Blossom Time
When it comes to cherry blossoms, the timing varies from place to place in Japan. The season, in general, begins in late March and goes on until early May. The peak bloom, however, is usually in April. Blossoms first in the southern regions such as Kyushu and Okinawa, Hokkaido in the north is generally later. In order to view the season’s beauty to the fullest, plan your trip around these months and check the cherry blossom forecast.
2. Visit Iconic Sakura Spots
Japan has some of the most beautiful cherry blossom spots and definitely needs to be visited by a few iconic locations.
- Tokyo’s Ueno Park: One of the most popular spots, with over 1,000 cherry trees. I can see it beautifully with the blossoms: perfect for a relaxing picnic.
- Maruyama Park, Kyoto: Illuminated at night, this park’s large weeping cherry tree is a surreal sight.
- Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park: A history combining with the beauty of walking through rows of cherry trees with a view of the iconic Genbaku Dome.
3. Participate in Hanami (Flower Viewing)
Traditional custom of enjoying cherry blossom with friends and families, this is called hanami in Japan. The beauty of the blossoms brings people out to parks with blankets, food and drinks. There is much to be enjoyed in the joyous time of relaxing, sharing a meal and appreciating nature’s fleeting beauty. Cherry blossoms are in Japan this time of year, so join in on this tradition and take in the lively and festive gathering of the season.
4. Capture the Beauty
The cherry blossom, I would recommend to snap a photo of when they come in season! There are lots of photo opportunities by walking through the parks, taking a boat out on the rivers, visiting temple in cherry trees country. Try to get the shots during sunrise and sunset as the lighting will be particularly magical. If you love photography, you will have a choice.
5. Explore Traditional Japanese Gardens
During cherry blossom season, the cherry trees’ blossoms would naturally suggest visiting one of Japan’s many traditional gardens. Kenrokuen in Kanazawa and Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo are both glorious gardens which offer a peaceful spot to see waves of flowers out of the way of people. Generally, these gardens usually have ponds and bridges, with the whole place being quite tranquil to go for cherry blossom viewing.
6. Try Seasonal Sakura Treats
In fact, the sakura season also means sakura flavored everything! You can buy sakura mochi, packed with a cherry blossom filling, or any of a plethora of sakura flavored drinks and sakura themed ice cream. These are seasonal delicacies and so don’t forget to take advantage of them only for this time of the year.
7. Experience Sakura Festivals
There are various cherry blossom festivals held throughout Japan. They are usually live in performances, food stalls, and cultural activities. Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival in Shizuoka is very famous for its early cherry tree blooming and its lively festivals. It’s always a great experience to spend time celebrating the beauty of the sakura with Japan’s local culture in one of these festivals.
8. Take a Boat Ride under the Cherry Blossoms
The water is some of the best places to see cherry blossoms. Boat rides along rivers or lakes with cherry trees are available in many cities, such as Tokyo and Kyoto. Both the sight of sakura reflected in the water as it cruises along the Sumida River in Tokyo or the Kamo River in Kyoto is mesmerizing. It’s a peaceful way to take in Japan’s natural surroundings.
9. Stay in a Ryokan with a View
Staying in a traditional ryokan (Japanese inn) with a view of the cherry blossoms is a real option for a very authentic experience. Accommodations in many ryokan are in scenic areas with wonderful views of nature. I can only imagine waking up to the sight of cherry trees and sitting by a hot spring bath full of sakura petals. Of course, this gives an extra layer of magic to your trip.
10. Respect Local Etiquette
Enjoying cherry blossoms is a local custom and etiquette, so please respect. Be careful not to ruin the trees and do not pick the flowers. Be also respectful of local tradition and, for hanami, clean up after yourself. Japan is proud of its natural beauty and so it’s important to follow the practices that help to preserve it for future generations.
Conclusion
The experience of cherry blossom season in Japan is probably once in a lifetime, mixing nature, culture and tradition. Whether engaging in a hanami picnic in a park or photographing gorgeous blossom stands, the aroma, and color of sakura trees in Japan is magical. As a result, don’t forget to get your Japan Visa to experience this once in a lifetime adventure!
Be prepared to get a taste of the cherry blossoms of Japan? To make your travel smoother, it is important to plan ahead and apply for your Japan visa from India.