subject: When and where to watch the blooming of the Cherry Blossoms in Japan [print this page] When and where to watch the blooming of the Cherry Blossoms in Japan
Known as "Hanami" in the local language, Cherry Blossom viewing is an annual event in Japan. It is a time for festivities for the locals as they gather to admire the beautiful sight of cherry blossoms spread their magic everywhere with their various shades of white and pink. For a foreigner who has not seen such beauty before, it is a sight to behold.
Cherry Blossoms occur in various parts of Japan at different times and if you are visiting Japan and have missed this awesome sight then you can easily go to other places for cherry blossom viewing. The Cherry Blossom viewing season lasts for a week to ten days and presents a mesmerizing picture. Japan has over three hundred species of cherry trees.
Fukuoka is one of the places in Japan where cherry blossom first heralds its arrival. The Maizuru Park featuring around a 1000 cherry trees is located in the ruins of the ancient Fukuoka Fort. There are various picnic spots in the park where Hanami parties take place. Nishi Park and Atago Shrine are two other places in Fukuoka where cherry blossom viewing is done.
If you are in Tokyo then Shinjuku Gyoen is the best place to go. More than a thousand trees of a dozen or so varieties of Cherry are planted here. Because of the different varieties the Hanami season lasts longer as various trees blossom at different times. Chidorigafuchi and Ueno Park are two other famous spots of cherry blossom viewing in the capital city.
Cherry Blossoms grace Osaka in early April and some of the best places in town for viewing Cherry Blossoms are the Kema Sakuranomiya Park. Located on the banks of Okawa River, the park features 5000 cherry blossom trees standing majestically. You can watch the blossoms from the boats on the river and the promenades. Or you can enjoy a picnic and the splendor of cherry blossoms of the 4000 trees on the grounds of Osaka Castle. Nara Park in the town of Nara is filled with Cherry Blossoms in early April; other places in Nara are Heijo Palace and Koriyama Castle Ruins.
The best and the most well known cherry blossom viewing spot of Japan remains the Mount Yoshino or the Yoshinoyama in Yoshino. There are over 30,000 trees on the mountain which bloom from early April till the mid of the month.
Hokkaido is one of the places in Japan which experience late cherry blossom; the season lasts from early to mid of May.
