by Bryce Marley
We are just coming into one of the most beautiful and popular seasons to visit Japan, Sakura season. Cherry blossoms across Japan bloom for a brief moment throughout late March and April to a spectacular sight of white and pink blooms, before they all disappear for another year. As part one on our series on the ultimate guide to Sakura Season, today we've got details on when to visit to get the best sakura experience.
Sakura season is a magical time in Japan, from the first bloom till the last petal falls, the country is blanketed in a palette of pink and white hues, showing the world Spring has most definitely sprung. Throughout this time, Japanese come together with friends and family to enjoy the natural beauty and flock to parks, and river banks that are filled with Sakura trees, and relax under the trees with picnics and drinks and embrace the beauty.
Another great part of the season is all the Sakura flavored foods that suddenly appear on store shelves, cafe menus, inside vending machines, and at food stalls out on the street. You will find Sakura flavored Starbucks coffee, the elusive Sakura and Green Tea KitKat comes out to be devoured, and intricate sakura flavored candies that are almost too beautiful to eat make an appearance.
Japan is Sakura mad during the season and its easy to see why! So to make sure your in the right place at the right time here is the 2014 best dates for seeing Sakura in full bloom in major areas of Japan-
Please note: the date shown below is the start of the anticipated full bloom for the region. Generally the best viewing is approximately a week after the dates mentioned below.
- Tokyo April 6th 2014
- Osaka April 4th 2014
- Kyoto April 3rd 2014
- Nagoya April 2nd 2014
- Hiroshima March 31st 2014
- Sapporo May 7th 2014
- Yokohama April 5th 2014
- Sendai April 17th 2014
- Fukuoka March 29th 2014
- Takayama April 19th 2014
- Aomori April 30th 2014
Data from Japan Weather Association. Please note: forecast is subject to change due to weather conditions.
This is one of the busiest times of year across Japan, the Sakura blooms bring in everyone in droves, however the festive environment and general cheerful mood that everyone is in makes it an experience that you'll never forget. Keep an eye out at www.japlanning.com for part 2 of the ultimate guide, where we will let you know the best viewing spots across Japan to have the best Sakura experience in a lifetime.
Have you visited Japan during Sakura season? What was your favourite part?
Let us know in the comments below!