Japan's Cherry Blossoms (Sakura) Season, Best Time To Visit/Experience The Beauty Of Japanese Nature!
Sakura in Japan is about as iconic as samurai, kimonos, and well, anything you can think of about Japan. You'll see photos, illustrations, merchandise, and even food/drink featuring the famed Sakura of Japan. It is so synonymous with Japan that even the Japanese Government shapes its fiscal years to end and begin at the traditional peak of the cherry blossoms in its capital region.
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| Near JR Yotsuya Station |
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| Shinjuku Gyoen |
For the casual traveler, taking in the Sakura is free, and much less costly to experience than a samurai armor photo shoot or an outing in kimono (if you're not factoring in a higher airfare to visit due to the popularity of the season). The weather starts to get way more pleasant, as the cold of winter transitions into the pleasant spring temps. And, most of the major, touristy parks feature a lot of cherry trees for you to admire and photograph at their best.
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| Odawara Castle, Kanagawa |
Even at the US military bases, especially Camp Zama and Yokota Air Base, you'll find some large areas adorned with many cherry trees. So if you happen to live and/or work at one of those military installations, you won't have to go very far to experience the magic of the Sakura.
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| Yokota Air Base |
Still, if you're in Japan... why not go out and experience the season just as the locals do, outside? Though the "hanami", which nowadays refers to the parties held at prime spots for cherry blossom viewing, might be a bit much for gaijin to take part in, even a leisurely stroll through such places as Yoyogi Park, Ueno Park, and Shinjuku Gyoen will give you more than enough of the experience to understand why these trees are so beloved.
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| Shinjuku Gyoen |
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| Odawara Castle |
Also, at Tokyo Midtown, there's a cherry tree lined street which is beautiful in itself, but when the sun sets... the trees are illuminated, giving a very different look/feel to the trees and the season.
For added photographic and cultural impact, why not don a kimono among the Sakura? It certainly makes for an interesting, beautiful photo, and a traditionally Japanese way to experience the cherry blossom sights.
But to me, perhaps the best and most overlooked part of the Sakura is how it brings all of us together... maybe not all at one time or one place, but whether it's Hanami, an after-hours outing, or a planned trip to view the blossoms, it certainly brings you in touch with others. And I believe that to truly be the best part of the season.
Enjoy the Sakura!
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