The season of Sakura arrived !The forecast of cherry blossom 2019

The cherry blossom (sakura, 桜) is a big yearly event for Japan. It is the symbol of the ephemeral beauty appreciated very much in Japan and the sakura tells that the springtime is started. The flowers blooms progressively from the south to the north: the people living in the south firstly can see their cherry trees to be covered with pink flowers.

The cherry blossom viewing (hanami) is started since time immemorial in Japan, but it was started and restricted by the aristocracy. It was spread to the warrior class during Kamakura period (12th to 14th centuries), but the same style as today like a party or a pic-nic under the cherry blossom was started by famous Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the 3 feudal lords who tried to unify the country. He did for the first time to celebrate the event by big banquet during 16th century. The hanami is particularly imporant for Japanese people and the enthusiasm of the people for the sakura season approaching is palpable. This event cannot be lasted more than 2 weeks, and we observe mostly in 2 timings: the beginning and the full blossom. 
 
The parks are filled by people all day long, and some parks are illuminated from end of the afternoon for providing the light for the night visitors and you will be surprised when you see the number of visitors at night-time like day-time. For example in the Meguro riverside, it is very famous with magnificent cherry blossom tunnels.
 

In each year, the Meteorological Agency in Japan estimates the exact dates of cherry blossom of the year. They are culculated with former results and the many factors like the temparature of the automn and the winter of the previous year and also the dates of passed years, etc.

If you are in Japan in this spring, it would be possible to see the sakura from march to the beginning of May depending of the region where you go!

From 17th of March
Peak of blooming: 30th of March

In the surroundings of Fukuoka castle, in the Maizuru park, we see the thousands of sakura every year. The night illuminations run along the of the ramparts are also very beautiful, and we can sit and enjoy the cherry blossom in the large green space.

Shinjuku Gyoen
in Tokyo, region of Kanto

From 22nd of March
Peak of blooming: 30th of March

It is one of the biggest and popular parks of the capital city. Located in the centre of the city, it is an ideal place to enjoy nature in the busy and getting away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Not only the sakura in springtime, we can also enjoy the English, the French, and Japanese garden.

The path of philosophy
in Kyoto, region of Kansai

It takes its name from Kitaro Nishida, the philosophy of 20th century who used to meditate in this path every day. It is 2km long and hundreds of sakura covers the bank of the small canal. The path starts from the famous silver pavillion (Ginkaku-ji) and it is one of the most popular hanami spots in Kyoto. 

Kema Sakuranomiya Park
in Osaka, region of Kansai

Located in the neighborhood of Osaka castle, there are around 5000 trees of sakura each year blooming in sprintime. We can hire a boat and enjoy sakura from Okawa river and taste the local specialities selling in the stands along the bank.

Saigyo Modoshi Park 
in Matsushima, near Sendai

From 7th of April
Peak of blooming: 12th of April

The Saigyo Modoshi Park is famous with the fantastic landscape of Matushima bay, and it is considered to be one of the 3 great views (Nihon sankei). 
The contrast of bleu ocean, pink flowers and green pine trees of the park make the outstanding beauty.

Hirosaki park
in Aomori, regiion of Tohoku

Famous with one of the best hanami spots in Japan, this park surrounding the castle of Hirosaki offers magnificent cherry blossom in springtime of 2500 trees and 50 different varieties. It is also possible to see the flowers from the boat by seilling in the river.
 

Goryokaku Park
in Hakodate, Hokkaido

The Goryokaku Park is famous with the 1600 sakura blooming from May. The trees illuminated in the night offer a wonderful view and we can try the Gengis Khan barbecue, the lamb dish, which is a very typical local menu of Hokkaido.


Click here to visit our excursions from Tokyo

Click here to visit our excursions from Kyoto

Click here to visit our excursion of "hanami" from Tokyo