HELLO! TOKYO TOURS | SAKURA (CHERRY BLOSSOMS)

Fans of Japan have long dreamed about the beautiful cherry blossoms of Japan. It’s been enjoyed for centuries in Japan and recently by international travelers. It only lasts about a week in March/April - depending on the weather and where you are in Japan - and are well known for their radiant and transient beauty. But why are cherry blossoms so special in Japan?

It was originally used to help farmers know when to begin planting crops for rice but has grown to embody Zen Buddhist values. In Japanese traditional aesthetics derived from Buddhism there is a philosophical concept called “wabi sabi” (no, not wasabi the spicy thing in sushi) which stresses the importance and beauty of impermanence and imperfection. The sakura symbolizes the essence of wabi sabi and also symbolizes hope and renewal. Much like the farmers did hundreds of years ago, the Japanese society still bases this time of year to help construct annual events. In March/April this is the time when kids go up one grade in school, fresh grads join new companies and is what the fiscal year is based off of. So, once the sakura begins to bloom it acts as a symbolic meaning of a fresh start and change to the new year.

You can check out our Gardens and Parks list on our Destination Guide for a nice viewing of Sakura. Typically almost all gardens and parks will have sakura during this time of year.