| A Guide to Japan’s Most Breathtaking Cherry Blossoms
March 2021 |
|
|
| Greetings from Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) |
|
|
Spring turns Japan pink, as the country comes alive with cherry blossoms. Many first-time visitors to Japan will time their trip to ensure they can take in these quintessential scenes of Japanese beauty. Part of the fascination and allure of cherry blossoms is their short life, usually lasting within a window of just a couple of weeks. While the cherry blossoms of Tokyo and Kyoto are well known, it can be difficult to find accommodation during these short peak periods. Travelers need not be discouraged though, cherry blossom is found throughout most of Japan, with arguably the best cherry blossom sites outside of the modern and ancient capitals. Because of Japan’s geography, this also means that cherry blossoms can be enjoyed throughout a period of two months, starting from mid-March in Kyushu in the south, right up to mid-May in the north. One can even travel through Japan chasing the cherry blossoms during this time.
This month, join us on a discovery of some of the very best places to enjoy cherry blossoms, whether it be as a mountain range, for night illumination, set amongst an old samurai town, or arguably providing the most iconic and quintessentially Japanese picture postcard perfect setting. While we remain focused on the colors of spring, we will also take a detour back to winter, to travel through giant snow wall corridors, a unique experience that can also be enjoyed during this time of year. |
|
|
|
 |
Mount Yoshino in Nara Prefecture, is one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in all of the Kansai region. It is said that the first trees were planted along its slopes more than 1,300 years ago, and today the mountain is covered by a staggering 30,000-odd cherry trees of many different varieties; yamazakura (mountain cherry) being ubiquitous. Yamazakura is characterized by the fact that its leaves come out at the same time as the flowers.
Each of the various varieties of cherry trees blooms in its own unique time. When including the differences of their location in elevation, visitors to Mount Yoshino can enjoy the pink spectacle from the beginning of April right through to the month’s end. The best way to enjoy the mountains of cherry blossom is to take the transfer bus from the foot of the mountain to Naka Sembon (a stop located midway on the mountain), which is purported to have the best cherry blossom viewing spot. The view is so famous it is called “ichimoku-senbon”, quite literally “1,000 cherry trees in one glance”. From Naka Sembon relish the view as you descend by foot. |
|
|
|
|
|
As an ancient capital pre-dating Kyoto, Nara and Nara City have an astounding array of unique heritage sites to explore. These are best enjoyed while basing oneself in the lap of luxury at the Noborioji Hotel Nara. A small luxury hotel with only 14 rooms, it caters to adults and children above the age of 12, features classic design, and is surrounded by the greenery of Nara Park. Thoughtfully appointed with bespoke handmade furniture, the hotel has been listed in the Nara Michelin Travel Guide for the sixth consecutive year. The major historic Buddhist temple attractions of Kofukuji, Todaiji and Kasuga Taisha are all within walking distance of the hotel, as is Nara Park, which is home to hundreds of freely roaming deer, that politely bow in front of visitors in the expectation of receiving food. |
|
|
|
|
| Takada Park is a 50-hectare wooded area in the heart of Joetsu City in Niigata Prefecture. Home to Takada Castle and its surrounding moats, along with 4,000 cherry trees, visitors to Takada Park can revel in an iconic scene of traditional Japanese cherry blossom beauty. When the moats around the castle are calm, visitors are offered an extra gift, that being a stunning reflection of the triple turret castle on the surrounding waters. Spectacular by day, the scene is magically elevated even further in the night with its yearly illuminations. Although the entire park is illuminated, the “Sakura Road,” or ‘cherry blossom road’, in particular, is a highlight, as the cherry tree lined walkway forms an enclosed canopy of blossom, which is lit up with lanterns. The best time to visit is from early to mid-April, and the best way to enjoy the blossoms is how the locals do, by having picnic parties under them, which is a special celebration known in Japanese as ‘hanami’. |
|
|
|
|
|
Itoigawa in Niigata Prefecture is famous for its jade. The semi-precious stone is found throughout the region, especially along its coast, where small pebbles of jade can be found along the shoreline. Visit the Fossa Magna Museum to learn more about jade, purchase beautiful jade jewelry and ornaments, and perhaps most importantly, receive tips on how to best find the jade pebbles for yourself on the shoreline. Just between us, one such hint is that early spring, when the snow in the mountains has melted, is one of the best times to find the much sought-after treasure. |
|
|
|
|
 |
Kakunodate, in Akita Prefecture, is a former castle town and samurai stronghold. While Kakunodate Castle no longer remains, the rest of the town, which consists of two distinct areas, the samurai and merchant districts, remain remarkably unchanged since its founding in 1620. The samurai district, which once housed around 80 families, is one of the best examples of samurai architecture and housing within the whole of Japan.
Along with its samurai history, Kakunodate is also renowned throughout the country for the beauty of its cherry blossoms, in particular, its scenes of historic samurai estates set amongst the beauty of the weeping cherry blossoms. Despite the sorrowful name, the name actually depicts the tree’s long flowing branches, which are similar to a willow, providing blooms that are strikingly beautiful and elegant as they sway in a breeze like curtains of pink. The weeping cherry blossoms flower later than other cherry varieties, and is best enjoyed in mid-April to early May. Be sure to also enjoy the 400-odd cherry blossoms that line the banks of the Hinokinai River. The river flows through the center of town and through the districts, with the trees forming a blossom tunnel for 2 kilometers. |
|
|
|
|
|
Of all the samurai houses that remain intact in Kakunodate, six are actually open to the public and offer visitors the chance to see how middle class and wealthy samurai families might have lived. One of the houses not to be missed, particularly for its size and quality, is that of the Aoyagi family. Known as the Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum, where visitors can learn up close more about the samurai culture and history. For JPY 4,500 (around USD $41), one can even have their photo taken in an authentic samurai costume. |
|
|
|
|
| The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in Toyama Prefecture, offers a unique and spectacular pass through the Northern Japan Alps. At 2,450 meters above sea level, Murodo is the highest point along the route, and best known for its grand snow corridor. Each year the area receives one of the heaviest snow-falls in the world, reaching levels of up to an astonishing 20 meters high. In mid-April, a road is cut into the snowfall at a width for two vehicles and pedestrians to pass through, forming huge snow walls on either side. This part of the route is one of its most well-known and photographed, drawing in many foreign tourists and domestic travelers alike. As the snow corridor can be experienced from mid-April until the end of May, it is possible to visit this unique location as part of a package tour that includes late cherry blossoms. |
|
|
|
|
|
nami Town in Toyama Prefecture is well-known for their skilled wood carvers and sculptors. There are 120 workshops spread throughout the town, which are home to around 300 wood carver artisans. Here exceptional works of art can be both admired and purchased as a special gift. Inami woodcarvings are distinguished by the remarkable abilities of its artisans, and often depict three-dimensional works filled with life and movement. They regularly feature elaborate landscapes and motifs of flowers, birds, human figures, animals and even dragons. |
|
|
|
|
 |
| As one of Japan’s most iconic cherry blossom sites, Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture provides visitors with the quintessential Japanese cherry blossom experience. The park is home to over 2,600 cherry trees, beautifully arranged around the park’s centerpiece, Hirosaki Castle. Surrounded by moat, the castle was originally constructed in 1603 by the reigning lord. The cherry trees originate back to 1715, when the Tsugaru clan requisitioned 25 Kasumizakura cherry trees from Kyoto and planted them in the grounds of Hirosaki Castle. In addition to the castle setting, the moat is also famous for its ‘hanaikada’, which refers to the blossom petals floating on the water surface. The west moat features a Sakura Tunnel (cherry blossom tunnel) best experienced by small paddle boat, which can be rented. During the day, the reflections of the sakura on the moat waters with the castle in the background, enchant visitors and make for the perfect Japanese cherry blossom photo – par excellence. As Aomori Prefecture is situated high in the country’s north, the cherry blossoms here bloom later than in central regions, making the end of April the best time to visit. |
|
|
|
|
|
While enjoying an explosion of pink with the cherry blossoms, take a break to experience translucent cobalt blue, surrounded by striking fresh green, and visit Lake Juniko (Twelve Lakes). Located within Shirakami Sanchi UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, and just a 2-hour drive from Hirosaki, the location is home to Aoike (‘Blue Pond’). Aoike is special as it is so blue, appearing otherworldly and as if it were artificially colored. That’s not true of course, and scientists are still trying to discover how it gets its unique color, making it truly a mysterious phenomenon. Adding to the surreal feel of the pond is its exceptional water clarity, with water visibility of up to 9 meters. The best season for viewing the pond is from spring to summer, when the surrounding leaves are fresh and new. A forest therapy walking track has also been created around the site for visitors to enjoy the outdoors and the surrounding nature to the fullest. |
|
|
|
|
|
