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Every year, from late March to mid-April, the vibrant cherry blossoms bloom across the landscapes of Japan, captivating both locals and tourists. Cherry blossoms are considered a symbol of freshness and hope in the culture of the Land of the Rising Sun.
This is currently the peak cherry blossom season in Japan.
The cherry blossoms are fluffy and blooming everywhere.
Le Duc Nhan, who currently lives and works in Japan, shared with Travellive his experience of cherry blossom season in Japan.
"The ideal time to visit Japan to see cherry blossoms is around the end of March and the beginning of April. Japan has many types of cherry blossoms, but the most typical and popular is the Somei Yoshino, which usually comes in white and light pink. There's also the early-blooming Kawazu Zakura, which typically blooms in late February and early April. The late-blooming, double-petaled Yaezakura, usually blooms from the end of March to mid-April," he said.
Having lived in Japan for many years, Duc Nhan has traveled to many places and photographed cherry blossoms everywhere.
In Japan, there are over 600 different species of cherry blossoms with diverse shapes and colors. The flowers are predominantly pale pink or white. When they bloom, the leaves usually fall off, so only the flowers are visible on the tree, with each cluster containing 3-5 blossoms and soft flower stalks.
Duc Nhan has traveled all over Japan, so he's photographed cherry blossoms everywhere. However, the photos he took this spring were mainly concentrated in Shizuoka, Saitama, and Tokyo. Depending on the weather, as long as there's good sunshine, he can capture a satisfying set of cherry blossom photos.
The scene looks like something out of a Japanese anime film.
Locals and tourists sit on boats admiring the cherry blossoms in full bloom along the riverbank.
"Cherry blossom season is a time of very pleasant weather, because when the temperature is warm enough, these flowers bloom after a long winter. The cherry blossom season also coincides with the blooming of many other flowers such as rapeseed flowers and tulips, creating a vibrant spring landscape in Japan," Duc Nhan explained.
The cherry blossom season also coincides with the blooming of other flowers such as rapeseed and tulips, contributing to the vibrant spring scenery.
In Japan, information is often released beforehand predicting the exact time the cherry blossoms will bloom and when they will be in full bloom. Cherry blossoms have a relatively short blooming period, about 2 to 3 weeks, and this is also dependent on weather conditions such as rain or strong winds. Therefore, if you want to see cherry blossoms, you can check the predicted blooming time for your area beforehand. Depending on the region of Japan, the blooming time can vary slightly, from March to the end of April.
According to Duc Nhan, Japan is considered the land of cherry blossoms, so you can admire them anywhere in the country, whether in cities or villages. However, there are some special places to see cherry blossoms, such as Mount Fuji at Lake Kawaguchi in Yamanashi Prefecture, or some locations where you can see both cherry blossoms and rapeseed flowers in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture...
In Japan, cherry blossom trees are planted along almost every street, so you can see them anywhere.
In Japan, cherry blossom trees are planted along almost every street, so you can see them anywhere.
Although cherry blossoms are not officially recognized as the national flower, they are so beloved by the Japanese people that they effectively serve as a national symbol of Japan.
Cherry blossoms are one of the sacred and noble symbols of Japan, so visitors are only allowed to take photos with the flowers and not pick them. When visiting cherry blossom viewing spots, remember to bring a jacket and comfortable shoes because the spring weather in Japan is still quite cold compared to Vietnam. Also, remember to charge your phone and camera so you can admire the scenery and capture the most beautiful moments of spring.
Visitors can stroll around the park, admire the stunning scenery, and capture the most beautiful moments of spring together.
Cherry blossoms are also a symbol of freshness and hope in Japanese culture.
Double-petaled cherry blossoms in Kawagoe Park, Saitama
The delicate, ethereal beauty of cherry blossoms not only captivates millions of tourists but also enchants the people born in the land of these flowers. The way the Japanese celebrate the cherry blossom festival has created a unique "hanami" culture unlike any other in the world.
The custom of viewing cherry blossoms in early spring in Japan is called hanami. Japanese people typically gather under cherry trees in parks or along riverbanks to eat, drink sake, and chat with family and friends. It is believed that cherry blossom petals falling into a cup of sake is a sign of good fortune.
Japan has four distinct seasons, each with its own unique weather characteristics. Therefore, you need to research the weather in Japan and the region you plan to visit beforehand to choose appropriate clothing.
