The cherry blossom blooms in Japan heralds spring. Blossom erupts around the end of March and the beginning of April, although this varies across the country.
For only a few weeks every year, the trees turn a magnificent pink as they bloom. This adds to the delicate Japanese atmosphere, as candles are lit beneath them and parties are held in the cool evenings.
You must visit at the height of spring for the best chance to see the blooms at their peak.
Japan has long had traditions to meet and host parties and gatherings under the cherry blossom. It is a time in the Japanese year to meet with friends, make new ones, and share some sake. The festival is called Hanami, or ‘flower viewing,’ and is over a thousand years old.
As the region warms up in preparation for summer, the trees flower from south to north of the country.
Most cherry blossom festivals start around late March, coinciding with the blooming period in southern regions such as Kyushu, and extend into May as the blossoms move northward to areas like Hokkaido. Weather conditions significantly influence the timing, so checking the local cherry blossom forecast for accurate dates is essential.
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Mount Fuji is at its best, with cherry blossom trees framing the snow-capped volcano. At sunrise and sunset, the colours collide in a beautiful display of reds and pinks.
Whilst the blossom is undoubtedly beautiful, there are many other reasons to visit Japan.Â
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The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum offers a chilling insight into the devastation caused by the atomic bomb. It reminds us of our responsibility to each other and our planet.Â
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The sunset over Torii Gate is not to be missed, while a bike ride through Takayama takes you back to a period before westernisation.
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