This hybrid type of cherry blossom is one of the earliest bloomers every spring, and the pale-pink petals can be seen from early April onwards. When Is the Cherry Blossom Season in Japan? Presented to the city of Washington in 1954, this stone lantern symbolizes the strength of the friendship between Japan and the US. Since then Amar has endeavored to turn his gap year into a "gap life" and has spent the last 13 years traveling the 7 continents. The weather in Japan varies depending on location, so be sure to check the weather forecast before you travel. Arts & Culture Japan Now! Ginza Marketplace Taste of Japan. Settling down for a picnic here is a must the view is so picturesque. Japans famous cherry blossom festival season begins around the end of March and lasts for approximately 2 weeks, depending on location. See the 2022 National Cherry Blossom Festival events happening in Washington, DC. Cultivated many centuries ago, the Somie Yohsino is one of the most commonly found cherry trees in Japan. So fond are the Japanese of their cherry blossoms trees that they have even devoted a special day to them. Click here to view! Wherever you are headed, be sure to get there early! Be careful where you lay your picnic blanket as the roots are delicate, and treat the trees with the respect they deserve. The Japanese embassy has remained deeply involved in their maintenance and in the annual festival organizing a host of cherry blossom-themed . Cherry trees can bloom right through until May the further north you travel, so dedicated sakura viewers can head north to enjoy even more sakura spotting. Featuring a variety of events throughout the city, the festival brings a taste of Japan to Philadelphia and highlights Be careful how much fun you have during your hanami celebrations, as the cherry trees are sensitive to cuts and bruises. Celebrate the end of cherry blossom season with the Pink Tie Dinner! Top viewing spots like Maruyama Park, Mount Yoshino, Himeji Castle, and Fuji Five Lakes are some of the most atmospheric places in the world and are wonderful places to see the beautiful blooms. The Cherry Blossom Festival runs March 11 through March 13, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with admissions closing at 5 p.m. There are strict rules to follow during the tour, including no eating or drinking and a regimented one-way walkway. Public parks, rivers, and other attractions where cherry trees are found will fill up with the smell of barbecue, food stalls, and the sound of celebrations during the season. All of these offer plenty of perfect picnic spots for you to enjoy, hidden away from the busy city streets. In addition, guests can watch daily live performances and shop from different food and merchant vendors. Better yet, get yourself a waterproof backpack to make sure items like your travel camera are completely protected. Hanami is the ancient tradition of going to enjoy the blooming of cherry blossoms (sakura) and sometimes plum blossoms (ume) in parks and throughout the countryside in Japan. The capital city is host to the National Cherry Blossom Festival. [Expired] [Fare Alert] U.S. to Doha From $1,180 in Premium Economy, Buy Hilton Honors Points for as Little as 0.5 Cents Each [Up to a 100% Bonus], BEST OFFER EVER: Earn $900 Bonus Cash Back. Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. Known as hanami in Japanese, cherry blossom festivals are an important custom and are held all over Japan during the spring. There is always 2021 . Click here to see a list of advertisers that we work with. We hope you will enjoy the blossoms and celebrate 110 years in bloom with us. Translated as flower viewing, the festival attracts locals and visitors alike that come together to celebrate the season with outdoor parties, picnics, and other events that take place both day and night. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Join us for a special, early performance by Opening Ceremony performers, Minyo Crusaders. One of the busiest festivals in Tokyo, the Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival is a favourite amongst visitors and locals alike. Here's When to Go, How to Experience the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC, Everything You Need to Know About the Washington, D.C. Cherry Trees, April Events and Festivals in the United States. The dates of the celebrations are subject to change by a day or 2 year-on-year as the winter weather and other atmospheric conditions can affect how early or late the blossoms bloom. Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer. Welcome to the online portion of the Cherry Blossom Festival! With unique-looking, bell-shaped petals, the Kanhizakura is one of the most beloved cherry blossoms the world over. Funds raised from the festival develop a youth exchange between Huntington Beach and Anjo, Japan . All rights reserved. Home to Fort Goryokaku, an unusual star-shaped moated fort and observation tower, the park is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic or barbecue under the blossoms. In Japan, the JWA (Japan Weather Association), the Weather Map Co., Ltd, and Weathernews Inc. announce cherry blossom forecasts every spring. Located in Sapporo, Moerenuma Park is surrounded by majestic mountains that add to the beauty of the hanami. Another unusually colored tree, the Fuganzo has light pink petals that turn darker over time. Weve assembled the ultimate guide to visiting, experiencing, and enjoying Tokyo. That said, do not expect to see the flowers wherever you go, as the trees bloom at different times throughout Japan. Festivities surround the foot of the castle, both day and night, and involve street food (lots of bento boxes), craft stalls for special trinkets, and traditional Japanese music and dance. A Japanese national treasure and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this hilltop castle has survived thousands of years, with the occasional renovation, to remain one of Japans most iconic landmarks. Cherry Blossom Night with the Washington Wizards. The 10-15 minute walk from either Myogadani Station or Hakusan Station gives the gardens a feeling of seclusion and distance from the busy city streets, yet this is one of the most peaceful places from which to enjoy the hanami. The view is best enjoyed by taking a leisurely stroll along the river or on one of the many river cruises that take you right under the trees, inviting the blossoms to gently sprinkle over as you as you float down the river. Home to over 4,500 different plant species, Kyoto Botanical Gardens is home to the largest conservatory in Japan and a popular destination for those looking to join in with the hanami celebrations. Centrally located close to both Morinomiya and Osakajokoen stations, Osaka Castle Park can get very busy during hanami. The delicate white flowers bloom about a week ahead of the cherry blossoms, and there are 2 different types of Shidarezakura those with 5 petal blossoms and those that have more than 5 petals. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Likewise, if the winter has been exceptionally cold, the blooms will open later. Playing catch up, Amar embarked on an 11-country round-the-world gap year after graduation and then became well and truly hooked. As one of the most iconic cherry trees in all of Japan, these weeping trees have branches that arch and curve to create some of the most stunning sakura during the hanami season. GET EMAILS FAQ MEDIA PRIVACY POLICY TERMS OF USE JOB OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT US, {"name":"Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival","description":"Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival. The Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan and the National Museum of Asian Art have teamed up to present a retrospective of the influential anime director Satoshi Kon, including a new documentary about his life and work! Yamazakura trees tend to last for a long time, with trunks that can grow as large as 1 meter in diameter when aged. Finally, the height at which the cherry trees are planted can also affect how long it takes them to bloom. The castle moat turns pink from the floating blossom petals, and the trees look stunning set against the backdrop of the castle itself. Free. Sakura Matsuri - Japanese Street Festival, Pennsylvania Avenue, NW - Between 3rd and 7th Streets. On the southernmost sub-tropical islands, for example, cherry blossoms can open as early as January. Blossom viewing areas are the perfect places for people to enjoy the transitory season together, usually accompanied by performances, stalls, and activities. Cherry blossom season, also known as the sakura or hanami flower-watching season, brings life and magic to Japan each spring. Wander into any convenience store in March or April and youre sure to find pink and flower-themed goods, from coffees to sandwiches. In this exhibition, the JICC, in collaboration with American University, wants to showcase the works of Hiroshige and celebrate his legacy on social media by presenting recent photographic interpretations of Hiroshige's ukiyo-e, submitted to us through our call for entry! Considered to be the longest row of cherry trees anywhere in Japan, a drive along this stretch of the Nijukken Road is like driving through a tunnel of cherry blossoms. Known as hanami in Japanese, cherry blossom festivals are an important custom and are held all over Japan during the spring. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The National Cherry Blossom Festival's signature Opening Ceremony is an artistic celebration of the 1912 gift of trees from Tokyo to Washington, D.C., and an. As well as the world-famous cherry trees, Shinjuku Gyoenalso offers an English-style garden, a French garden, and a traditional Japanese garden. One of the biggest festivals in the U.S. is in Washington, D.C. This late-blooming blossom doesnt usually make an appearance until sometime between late April and early May, making it one of the last to visit during the hanami season. Strawberries are the local spring food, and youll find these in abundance here too. Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival will take place on April 14-16, 2023: 10am-6pm at the Armory Food & Event Hall and Fisher Pavilion. No country knows how to enjoy and celebrate the natural phenomenon of the cherry blossom season better than Japan. While at the festival, youll be able to enjoy local crafts and food, take trips on the boating lake, and enjoy music and colorful dance performances. These contrast against the pretty copper-brown leaves and make for a stunning combination that sakura enthusiasts and first-time visitors alike will fall in love with. 2022 commemorates the 25 th Anniversary of Festl, ushering in a new era of hybrid programs during this anticipated return to in-person events. Join us for a ceremonial cherry tree planting at National Harbor celebrating the 110th anniversary of the gift of the cherry trees from Tokyo to Washington DC. Further north, and in bigger cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, blooms dont usually take place until somewhere around the middle of March and later into April. Running about 7 kilometers long and 36 meters wide, the road is very straight and is lined with some 3,000 sakura trees. As night falls, the blossoms are illuminated with paper lanterns, and the park is the perfect place to see the sakura from the end of March through to the middle of April. Since sake is flowing throughout the day by the time evening approaches, the festivities often turn more into good-natured revelry. As a firm contender for one of the top hanami spots in all of Japan, this natural landmark is a definite must-see during hanami. I also canceled this morning. They drink and eat, making the tradition of blossom-viewing more like a picnic under the trees. Running for 4 kilometers on either side of the Okawa River, Kema Sakuranomiya Park is an inner-city oasis that offers nearly 5,000 cherry trees that blossom from the end of March through to the middle of April. As one of the most modern temples in Japan, visitors also come to enjoy the extensive grounds and see the Shwa Daibutsu, the tallest seated bronze figure of Buddha in Japan. The temple is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from April to October and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from November to March. Why Is the Cherry Blossom so Culturally Important in Japan? That bond has inspired the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the largest annual celebration of Japan-U.S. friendship, which always brings a feeling of joy and renewal. Arguably no country celebrates the cherry blossom with the excitement of Japan, but the country is hardly the only place on earth with a large assortment of these flowers. Cherry blossoms normally begin blooming in January in Okinawa, and reach their peak in late March to April in the Honshu region. Beauty certainly does fade fast when it comes to the sakura, where most of the cherry tree varieties that bloom during the season only last for about a week. Combine history with beauty at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and enjoy this peaceful, inner-city oasis that was created as a memorial to the first atomic bombs dropped during World War II. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the premier events each year in the nation's capital. Often voted one of the best cherry blossom viewing areas in Japan, this 4km stretch of 800 trees line the Meguro River in Nakameguro, a district not far from Shibuya. The period from late March through to early April is the best time to see the sakura. The ancient farmers also used the blooming of the sakura flowers to help them understand when the time was right to plant their rice crops, helping to keep famine at bay. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. This year is special because it is the 110th anniversary of the gift of the cherry trees. During late March through to early April, the cherry blossoms reach full bloom, creating a beautiful sea of pink blossoms contrasted against the blue of the ocean where the castle grounds jut out to meet the water. Blossoming Flowers in Japanese Art and Poetry. Celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival with the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade! Festival of a very early blooming tree variety. It's said that the origin of hanami dates back more than1,000 years to when aristocrats enjoyed looking at beautiful cherry blossoms and wrote poems inspired by them. Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival. Weve highlighted the best places to see them in this article. These days, viewings are more about eating, drinking, and coming together to celebrate the beginning of spring. Swipe to check out the photos below from previous Sakura Matsuri Festivals! One of the prettiest of all the cherry trees, the Shogetsu tree looks very traditional with pretty pale pink flowers and fresh green leaves. This year, NHK WORLD-JAPAN is generously releasing a series of free documentary videos. Kagoshima Credits: DozoDomo In Kagoshima, the estimated average first bloom is said to start in mid March. Hirosaki Castle Park Cherry Blossom Festival 2023 Dates: April 23rd to May 5, 2023. When does the cherry blossom festival start? Peak bloom refers to the time period in which 70% of the Yoshino cherry blossoms, the most populous variety around the . The Japanese embassy has remained deeply involved in their maintenance and in the . The 10 most popular types of trees you are likely to see during hanami include: This is the most common variety of cherry tree to be found all across Japan, and one that can be found growing wildly in some parts of the country. They also light 3,000 lanterns at night (between 6-10pm), which makes this a breathtaking place to take nighttime pictures or just watch the amazing contrast of illuminated flowers, castle, and lanterns. Different trees bloom at different times, meaning you could continue to experience the hanami season for 3-4 weeks if you are happy to move locations to follow the flowers. 10 Interesting Facts About the Cherry Blossom Season, The Lifespan of the Blooms Is Only About a Week, Cherries Do Not Come From Sakura Cherry Trees, There Are More Than 600 Different Varieties of Sakura, Best Places To See Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo, Best Places To See Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto, Best Places To See Cherry Blossoms in Osaka, Best Places To See Cherry Blossoms in Kyushu, Best Places To See Cherry Blossoms in Hokkaido, Other Great Spots to View the Cherry Blossoms in Japan, 10 Popular Cherry Trees Youll See in Japan, The Best Ways to Fly to Japan With Points and Miles [Step-by-Step], ultimate guide to visiting, experiencing, and enjoying Tokyo, best ways to fly from the U.S. to Japan with points and miles, Japan Airlines Mileage Bank Loyalty Program Review, Japan Airlines Baggage Fees & Tips To Cover the Expenses, The Complete Guide to Boingo Wireless for Travelers, The Business Platinum Card from American Express. Hot Tip: Remember, if you want to follow the blossoms, start in the south and head up to the far north to capture the blooms in all their glory. What tourists should know about the tradition. Northern parts of the country can still see temperatures dip below freezing at night time, so layers are your friend, and you may even want to consider thermal base layers when its really cold. You can check tour prices and availability here. Various spots located in the Fuji Five Lake region offer amazing views of the cherry blossom trees, and from mid- to late April, you can experience hanami while taking in this world-famous landmark. The tree itself spreads gracefully to create a sea of color, and the semi-double flowers hang in clusters to give the appearance of depth and density. Hope you will enjoy the blossoms and celebrate the beginning of spring end of cherry Blossom with. 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