Every spring, people turn out in their millions across the country to celebrate the transient beauty of these flowers, one of the symbols of japan itself. One of the biggest fields is akeno himawari batake, located in hokuto city, yamanashi prefecture. Japan is known around the world for its cherry blossom festivals. Each spring, japan comes alive with beautiful soft pink sakura blooms that crown the trees in parks, gardens and streets. For example, the fireworks in summer, the red falling leaves in autumn, the snow in winter, and for spring it is the flower that represents japans spring. A tradition all over japan, hanami literally means viewing flowers. In south japan it is already open, but the main season starts in early april. Sakura originally was used to divine that years harvest as well as announce the riceplanting season. Many roads near popular flower viewing spots tend to be heavily congested in urban areas. Here is the list with most popular hanami flower viewing places in japan. Its popularity was eventually surpassed by that of the cherry tree the plum is associated with the start of spring, because plum blossoms are some of the first blossoms to open during the year.
On a warm spring day, lovely pink sakura flowers are all set to captivate your heart like tiny ballerinas dancing in the wind just above your head. Japan best time to visit japan seasons and weather japan climate. The bento for hanami looks pretty as the colorful ingredients like carrot is cut in the shape of a cherry blossom petal. Mar 08, 2016 whether it be warriors of old comparing their short lives to the brief, glorious spectacle of cherry blossom season or families, friend and coworkers partaking in hanami or flower viewing. The cherry blossom, or sakura, is one of japan s most iconic flowers. Japans emperor used to held plum blossom viewing party each year. Aug 31, 2016 cosmos is a flower relatively new in japan believed to have been first brought to the country during the meiji period 18671912. Every season, there are wonderful flowers blooming in japan and festivals to go with them. Flowers are like mirrors to the seasons, reflecting the passage of time. Japan when to visit japan the high and the low season. Ultimate guide to viewing cherry blossoms in japan not a. In japan, there are 4 seasons in total, and for each seasons there are many beautiful things to see.
Although a wisteria viewing party was also described, the terms hanami and flower party were subsequently used only in reference to cherry blossom viewing. Cherry blossom season is a huge draw for tourists in japan every year, but their sheer popularity and the resulting crowds can be offputting there are so many beautiful flowers, blooms, and iconic plants to see at other times of the year, but they are often overshadowed by the lure of the sakura cherry blossom. As a romantic flower it is certainly one to take a date to see. Cherry blossom blooming forecast date of first bloom 2020 season.
Although there are many varieties of cherry tree in japan, most bloom for just a couple of days in spring. In most major cities in between, including tokyo, kyoto and osaka, the cherry blossom season typically takes place in early april furthermore, the blooming time of cherry trees differs from year to year depending on the weather. If you want to fully enjoy sakura season in japan you need to learn some cherry blossom season vocabulary first such as hanami. Its this combination of cool weather and striking sights that make fall one of the most popular seasons for traveling to japan. In spring, foreign tourists visit japan the most in four seasons, and their prime purposes are viewing cherry blossoms sakura. They call it the flower viewing festival and mark it with deep love and respect for nature especially cherry blossom. The timing as to when the cherry trees in tokyo are in full bloom varies from year to year, but the general timeframe. It also has nice mountainous scenery in the background. Pictures of picnics in tokyo happening under a canopy of light pink flowers and they made me panic. Mar 22, 2020 as japan shrugs off the cold days of winter, people around the country start thinking about the hanami cherry blossom viewing season, that longawaited time of year when people gather together under the sakura trees to enjoy parties with friends and work colleagues while getting drunk on beers and the beauty of the blossoms. Sakura may be japan s most famous blossoms, but that doesnt mean their other petaly compatriots should be overlooked. The word hanami literally means looking at flowers, but it is used to refer to one flower in particular, the sakura or cherry blossom.
There are many other things to do in japan during spring season like visiting nikko, or taking a trip to any of the beer gardens etc. Oct 18, 2018 cherry blossom season is traditionally a time of picnics, picturetaking, and delight. A cherry blossom is a flower of many trees of genus prunus. The act of observing and appreciating cherry blossom in viewing season is called hanami, which translates to english as flower viewing. Each year starting around march and april, the japanese archipelago transforms into delicate pink shades. Hanami, which literally translates to flower viewing, refers to the japanese tradition of enjoying the beauty of transient flower blooms. Dec 03, 2016 hanami, in japanese, literally means, flower viewing. Flower viewing article about flower viewing by the free. The following chart shows the approximate blooming periods for some of the most popular flowers in japan. That said, do not expect to see the flowers wherever you go, the trees bloom at different times throughout japan.
Sakura season 2018 officially declared in tokyo as first. It has been celebrated for many centuries and holds a very prominent position in japanese culture. Japans cherry blossom season famously begins in april and lasts for around two weeks. And as vegetables and fishes in season are used, you will be able to enjoy the taste of spring in japan. Every year, japan s first cherry blossoms appear in okinawa southern japan then move northwards to hokkaido by early may. One of the most highly anticipated season in japan is sakura or cherry blossom season on spring, in this video you can see list of best cherry blossom sakura spots or. Even my coworkers were asking why i wasnt already in japan, because cherry blossom season was in full swing in.
Hanami means cherry blossom viewing, and its how people in japan celebrate the season of the beautiful pink flowers. In the 8th century plum trees were introduced to japan from its neighbor country china. While many people across the world know about the annual blooming of japanese cherry trees, there is another pink flower that is celebrated every year in this incredible country. There are hundreds site where you can go for cherry blossom viewing, but if you have limited time you probably want to see the best of the best.
The bloom of cherry blossoms 2020 japan national tourism. Taiyonooka engaru park mombetsugun, hokkaido prefecture. Colorful flower blossoms in parts of china recently attracted a number of visitors to marvel the sheer beauty of nature and to welcome spring. There are many dozens of different cherry tree varieties in japan, most of which bloom for just a few days in spring. At night, the shidarezakura is illuminated for everyone to enjoy during the sakura period.
Hanami cherry blossom viewing season begins in japan as. April 3, 2020 the sakura season has arrived in northern japan with cherry blossoms in sendai and fukushima have reached peak bloom. Even so, these pink, white, orange, and yellow flowers are also called autumn sakura, representing the fall season. Cherry blossom season in japan 2020 hanami youtube. Here are a few tokyo flower festivals worth checking out. Lets enjoy cherry blossom viewing in tottori tottori. Due to corona virus, there are no more picnics, food stalls are not allowed inside the park. Caution for spring travelers to japan are you making a plan to travel japan in spring for cherry blossoms in 2020. Originally introduced from china, the japanese plum.
In nara period 710784 flower viewing was referred to plum blossom not the cherry blossom. I will be a great liar if i say plum blossom is seen only in china and japan. Mar 31, 2018 the group is well known in japan for its list of the top 100 cherry blossom spots in the country, an essential guide for anyone looking to get their fill of flower viewing. The variety of food stalls of light snacks takoyaki, taiyaki, and other set up during the cherry blossom season makes flower viewing all the more festive and exciting. Cherry blossom season is a huge draw for tourists in japan every year, but their sheer popularity and the resulting crowds can be offputting. Japans cherry blossoms blooming in fall after extreme. In most large cities like tokyo, kyoto and osaka, the cherry blossom season normally takes place around the end of march and the beginning of april. Hanami literally means flower viewing, however, it commonly refers only to cherry blossom viewing. The most wellknown species is the japanese cherry, prunus serrulata, which is commonly called sakura. During the peak of the blooming season, the japanese people and tourists alike attend festivals and engage in hanami, or picnics beneath the cherry trees.
Heres all about when and where to see cherry blossoms in japan in 2020. Even though it has become synonymous with cherry blossoms it is not limited to it. For example, the fireworks in summer, the red falling leaves in autumn, the snow in winter, and for spring it is the flower that represents japan s spring. The practice dates back centuries, with people first admiring plum blossoms instead which bloom earlier than sakura. In most major cities in between, such as tokyo, kyoto and osaka, the cherry blossom season typically takes place in early april. Many places come alive with color during springtime, and different festivals across the country are held to celebrate the beauty of the flowers. Hanami, flower viewing is the japanese traditional custom of enjoying the transient. Sakura and the art of cherry blossom viewing in japan. From midnovember to early december, the trees turn vivid hues of red, orange, and yellow. The flower is adored and honored by most of the japanese like they do for ume, sakura and irises. Japan when to visit japan the high and the low season one of the most important things to know about japan is that they have the biggest internal tourism in the world. Since you come all the way to japan, lets see beautiful cherry blossoms in full bloom. Though certainly the best known and highly anticipated among all flower festivals in japan, it isnt the only one. Each new year in japan spells the beginning of another spring cherry blossom season that covers the country in a delicate hue of pink.
Top flower viewing occasions you shouldnt miss this. Top flower viewing occasions you shouldnt miss this spring. Japan cherry blossom tours 20202021, japanese sakura. These flowering plants were grown in japan for centuries. Mar 24, 2020 hanami, flower viewing is the japanese traditional custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers. Best time to see cherry blossoms in japan in 2020 japan.
Cherry blossom viewing season or hanami late march to early. The japanese celebrate this time of the year with hanami cherry blossom viewing parties. Millions of sunflowers were planted to soak up radioactive toxins. The coming of spring in japan is accompanied by the arrival of cherry blossoms, called sakura in japanese, which when in full bloom blanket the country with a gorgeous pinkwhite hue that transforms the nation into a living impressionist painting. Cherry blossoms seasons are a main theme in the japanese culture. Our guide on the best time to visit japan with details on the seasons, what weather to expect, and festivals and special events held throughout the year. Every year, hundreds of flower festivals are held throughout the country. Since the fiscal and school year both begin in april, in many parts of honshu, the first day of work or school coincides with the cherry blossom season. Blossoming of the pink flowers marks the advent of spring, but the exact dates to get the best possible view is. Japan 2020 cherry blossom forecast discover japans. Picnic under the beautiful flowing trees in any public park during this special season. Fittingly, flower viewing is a very popular activity in japan as most prominently seen in the annual festivities surrounding the cherry blossoms, but not limited to them. Mar 18, 2018 hanami flowerviewing season begins nine days earlier than average as the citys official sample tree sprouts its first blossoms in march every year, the japan meteorological agency keeps a careful eye on tokyos special hyoujunki literally sample tree, which officially heralds the start of the regions longawaited sakura season when it blossoms.
Though certainly the best known and highly anticipated among all flower festivals in japan, it. On japan s southern, subtropical islands of okinawa, cherry blossoms open as early as january, while on the northern island of hokkaido, they bloom as late as may. The japan cherry blossom association developed a list of japan s top 100 cherry blossom spots with at least one location in every prefecture. Japan s cherry blossoms blooming in fall after extreme weather. Here we do a deep dive on japan s cherry blossom forecast, about sakura viewing culture, and where are the best places to see cherry blossoms in japan. Hydrangea ajisai in japanese is the sign of the rainy season in japan. Ashikaga flower park, located in ashikaga, tochigi prefecture, two hours away from tokyo, is the biggest and the best place in japan to enjoy the magical wisteria bloom. As summer transitions to autumn, japan begins to cool down, offering temperate weather thats perfect for outdoor walks. Usually lasting for only two weeks in march, the sakura cherry blossom schedule changes a bit every year, so its hard to nail down exactly when to come. Best time to see wisteria tunnels in japan 2020 when. Every year, japans first cherry blossoms appear in okinawa southern japan then move northwards to hokkaido by early may.
Never ever have we seen the viewing of flowers carried out so devotedly that itself became a ritual. Having the basic knowledge on how to dress for spring and what temperatures to expect, lets look at how to actually do hanami, or cherry blossom viewing. In spring, you can enjoy the tulips, poppies and creeping phlox, in summer the lavenders, dahlias and sunflowers, in autumn, cosmos, marigolds and salvias, and in winter the pansies and stock. Mar 28, 2015 japan glances hanami flower viewing japan glances. Where and when to see japans cherry blossom in 2021 the times. The 2020 sakura season in japan has begun, and it is time to begin planning your own hanami blossom viewing excursions. One nation on the face of planet earth has got its own way of celebrating the spring season. Fittingly, flower viewing is a very popular activity in japan as most.
March 29, 2020 cherry blossoms are in full bloom in osaka, kyoto, nagoya, hiroshima, yokohama, and fukuoka. The map shown below indicates how the cherry blossom viewing season hanami of japan for 2020 goes upward hokkaido from the lower elevations okinawa. It is a public park that centers around a 70 year old weeping cherry blossom tree shidarezakura. Flower viewing, also known as hanami in japanese, has been a past time activity since as early as the nara period. Japan cherry blossom viewing essential japan guide. Late april early may 2020 wisteria plants produce a tress of flowers up to 50cm long and with upwards of 100 flowers on just one tress. Where and when to see japans cherry blossom in 2021 times. The map shown below indicates how the cherry blossom viewing season hanami of japan for 2020 goes upward hokkaido from the lower elevations.
Late april early may 2020 beautiful tulip fields are normally associated with the netherlands, but in japan too you can see some really special tulip vistas. Flower viewing for japans spring feel fukuoka japan. On matcha, find the latest information on bloom forecasts, festivals and events, and when and where to see the best sakura throughout japan. The television and newspapers closely follow this cherry blossom front, as it slowly moves from south to north. Since its april, its time for what they call hanami, a yearly flowerviewing here in japan. Officials traditionally observe the pale pink blooms of the yoshino cherry tree japans most common type with the season declared open when at least five or six flowers have opened on a.
Planning your dream vacation to japan in spring for the cherry blossom festival. Every year during its blooming season, hundred of chrysanthemum viewing. Cherry blossom season usually occurs between late march and midapril. In 2020, other early bird cities include fukuoka on march 23. Visitors can enjoy hanami, or flower viewing, and other fun activities during this exciting season. Normally a pale blue color, the japanese wisteria is enjoyed by gardeners around the world, and in japan you can find really stunning displays of wisteria. People believed in kami inside the trees and made offerings. During the sakura season, families, friends and colleagues gather in their favourite blossom viewing spots to enjoy food and drink under the trees.
If you are familiar with japan or even not so much, we believe that most of those who have traveled to japan or are planning to visit japan have. The cherry blossom is japans national flower and the most beloved flower of the japanese people. Where and when to see japans cherry blossom in 2021. Cosmos is a flower relatively new in japan believed to have been first brought to the country during the meiji period 18671912. Simply enjoy the intensity of the many blossoms by looking at a single tree or a group of trees. Throughout japan, people gather en mass to look at the trees and picnic or even camp. The news broke at the end of march, and id booked a trip to japan for the end of april of course, doing everything last minute. So you think that hanami cherry blossom viewing is the ultimate spring experience in japan. The word hana means flower in japanese, and hanami means flower viewing. However, appreciation of the cherry blossom in japan is almost a religion, and therefore hanami has come to refer specifically to cherry blossoms. Known as hanami in japanese, cherry blossom festivals are an important custom and are held all over japan during the spring. The best places to see the blushtinted blooms are in maruyama park. Maruyama park is a popular hanami flower viewing spot during the cherry blossom season. The plants mimic the season and signify the change in the year.