The cherry blossoms in Japan are a picturesque event that gathers tourists from all over the world in the land of the Rising Sun. But where are the places to admire this show of Mother Nature and what are the dates to not miss it? We will see in this article, with all the useful information for a journey to discover the Japanese hanami.
When you think about the wonderful spectacles that nature offers us, surely the cherry blossoms in Japan It is one of the first shows of Mother Nature that come to mind. Suddenly, entire areas and long avenues are tinged, on the trees and on the ground, with sparkling flowers. Fascinating scenes made even more memorable by the meaning that hanami represents for Japanese culture.
Japan has an incredible charm for Westerners. Maybe because it is so far away from us, in kilometers and culture. Or maybe because its traditions, its legends, its stories can enchant us and leave us speechless every time. Just like the cherry blossoms. If you want to organize a trip to Japan at this time of year, you need to know where to go and the best dates to see it.
What is the cherry blossom called in Japan?
Japan is famous all over the world for many reasons. One of these is the blossoming of its cherry trees, which attracts many tourists to the Asian country every year, ready to be amazed by a unique natural spectacle. Cherry trees belong to the genus Prunus.
There are many varieties throughout the world: they survive in particular in temperate climate zones in the northern hemisphere, such as Japan, China, Korea, Nepal, India, northern Europe. In Japan, flowering is a major event with parties to be able to admire this ephemeral beauty, which heralds the arrival of the beautiful season.
Cherry Blossoms in Japan, the original name
The most widespread and celebrated variety in the spring festivals is the Somei-Yoshino, which was obtained by hybridization offering flowers with white petals with a slight pink hue. In Japan, cherry trees are called sakurawhich is also a Japanese female given name.
Sakura actually means cherry blossoms and can also represent the plant itself. The term Cherry Blossominstead, specifically indicates the cherry blossom festival in Japan. It literally means “to admire the flowers,” from the union of the terms “hana,” flowers, and “mi,” to observe.
Cherry Blossoms in Japan, Meaning
In Japanese culture, the Cherry blossoms are very important. This is why the annual flowering is so eagerly awaited even by the Japanese themselves. The flowers, which have a very short lifespan, represent the metaphor that explains the brevity of life.
For many people they represent the beginning of a new life and for everyone it is a time of great celebration, in which to appreciate every moment, which is something that short-lived flowers they invite us to do every day of our lives.
The cherry blossom trees represent the transience of existence, a typical message of Buddhism, in which we are aware that everything in the world has an end, because material reality is destined to end, nothing lasts internally.
Hanami is a time of awareness of the nature and essence of life, but also nostalgia. The redemption is given by the fact that every year the plants return to bloom, giving hope to those who know how to admire their profound beauty.
The Legend of the Cherry Blossoms
In Japan there is a beautiful legend that accompanies this great celebration. There was a forest that man had never seen before. It was pristine, but inside there was a cherry tree that never bloomed. The grass around it did not grow and the animals did not come near, it could not live, it could not bloom, as if it were blocked.
Kami, a deity of the woodstook pity on the plant and decided to help it, transforming it into a man with a heart: so it could discover in the world the reasons why it should blossom. But he had one year, otherwise he would die.
At first the cherry tree found nothing interesting in humanity always engaged in a war. But one day he met Sakura, a young woman. She introduced herself with the name of Yohiro, hope. The two fell in love and Yohiro revealed his true nature to Sakura.
When the god appeared to the plant, he understood that their love was great, so he proposed that they merge to blossom together forever. Their eternal love is represented by cascades of petals that renew their proposal every year.
When do cherry trees bloom?
Cherry blossoms usually bloom in Japan from the end of March onwards. Japanese cities are home to cherry trees in every corner, in parks or along the streets. So their blooming can also be admired simply by walking and strolling.
How long do cherry blossoms last in Japan?
As we have already mentioned previously, the Cherry blossoms have a very short lifespan. Like all beautiful things in this world, the cherry blossoms also have a short duration.
It is not possible to establish with certainty when they will bloom and how long they will remain to delight our sight, but we can always make estimates.
Typically, however, flowering lasts a couple of weeks. The period of time in which the flowers are at their maximum opening is only a couple of days, instead.
Cherry Blossoms in Japan, 2023
Establish exactly when the cherry blossoms in 2023 It is impossible. But we can make some estimates, based on the period in which this tree blooms and colors everything around it. However, there is a Japanese official website which reveals a calendar with estimates of the cherry blossom period in Japan, year by year. For 2023, here’s what you need to know about the cherry blossom dates in japan:
- Tokyo: Bloom March 20 – Bloom March 27
- Sapporo: Bloom April 23 – Bloom April 25
- Sendai: Bloom: April 8 – Open April 11
- Kanazawa: Bloom March 30 – Bloom April 5
- Nagoya: Flowering March 22 – Blooming March 30
- Kyoto: Bloom March 24 – Bloom March 30
- Osaka: Bloom March 23 – Bloom March 30
- Hiroshima: Flowering March 21 – Blooming March 29
- Fukuoka: Bloom March 17 – Bloom March 27
This is the fifth forecast for 2023: the data is constantly updated.
Cherry blossoms in Japan, 2024
As mentioned above, even for 2024 we can only make a prediction. As for the flowering of 2023, we can always rely on the calendar of the Japan Meteorological Corporation. Of course, it is still too early to make realistic estimates at the moment, but we can take this year’s dates as a reference point.
Cherry blossoms in Japan, where to go to admire them?
As we have seen, all of Japan is affected by this great event. Hanami is celebrated in every corner, in every city, with different moments for flowering and blossomingbased on the climate zone to which it belongs.
For the most important metropolises, however, there are places of interest that are often popular with tourists. Let’s see what they are.
Where to see cherry blossoms in Japan?
- Tokyo: Koishikawa Garden, along the Meguro River near Shibuya or near the Imperial Palace, in Shinjuku Gyoen and Ueno Parks
- Kyoto: Maruyama Park and Inokashira Park, open to the public
- Name: monte Yoshiko
- Hirosaki: Hirosaki Castle Park
- Fukushima: Miharu Takizakura and Miharu
- Nagano: Takato Cattle Park
- Osaka: Expo ’70 Commemorative Park in Suita
- Hiroshima: Peace Memorial Park
Trip to Japan for the Cherry Blossoms
Once you understand the cherry blossom season in the Land of the Rising Sun, you can organize a DIY trip to Japan. There are many flights departing from Italy, even direct, in which case be prepared for at least 12 hours of non-stop flight.
Finally, there are travel agencies that organize your optimal trip to Japan for the cherry blossoms, for a trip tailor-made for you. Or you can participate in the many group tours that will allow you to share your passion for sakura with many other travelers who, like you, cannot resist the cherry blossoms.
Sources
Source: www.greenstyle.it
