Come to the land of the rising sun to see cherry blossoms

Although the cherry blossom season is short, it still has time to cover the cities and countryside with pure white and pink flowers, creating peaceful and memorable emotions in the hearts of visitors.

Tourists enjoy taking pictures of cherry blossoms.

Join in the “hanami parties”

Hanami, which means “flower viewing” in Japanese, is often used to refer to the Japanese culture of enjoying cherry blossoms that has been around for more than a millennium. The Japanese have more than 70 terms to accurately describe the various stages and cultural phenomena associated with the cherry blossom season. The appearance of cherry blossoms signals the beginning of a new school and fiscal year in Japan, usually on April 1st each year.

Although cherry blossoms only bloom for about 1-2 weeks, visitors do not miss out on the opportunity to enjoy the flowers, because these flowers bloom in different regions, depending on the climate and geography of each place. Cherry blossoms usually bloom earliest on the southern island of Kyushu in March and gradually move north, passing through the Kansai and Kanto regions of Honshu - Japan's largest island in early April. If you cannot come at this time, visitors can see the flowers in Tohoku, the northernmost region of Honshu in early May.

When cherry blossoms bloom, everywhere is covered with a poetic beauty like a painting. This is the time when tourists flock to areas with many cherry blossoms, especially Yoyogi Park in the capital Tokyo. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the park not only attracts tourists but also locals who take the opportunity to make appointments to go to a "hanami party". They go in small groups, sit under the cherry blossoms, admire the flowers while enjoying grilled food and sipping sake. Many people stay after dark to watch the yozakura - cherry blossoms illuminated at night.

Another great cherry blossom viewing spot is Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture. This 50-hectare green space is home to 2,500 cherry trees. It was once the site of the 200-year-old Hirosaki Castle. Remnants of the old castle can be seen through the marble streets, moats, and picturesque arched bridges.

Coming to Japan without seeing Mt. Fuji is a big mistake. For a “2 in 1” experience, visitors should visit the Fuji Five Lakes (5 lakes located around the foot of Mt. Fuji) in Yamanashi Prefecture, choose a perfect position from the ancient Chureito Pagoda to see the “sea” of cherry blossoms blooming pink against the dark blue background of Mt. Fuji covered in snow in the distance.

Maruyama Park in Kyoto is considered a top cherry blossom viewing spot with a variety of experiences. In the middle of the park is Gion Shidare-zakura - where geiko (geisha) perform under the "weeping cherry tree" - the symbol of the park. The tree is up to 10m high with branches full of flowers, gracefully bending down to the ground. From dusk to midnight, this is a wonderful stage with magical lights and traditional art performances by talented geiko.

Must-try experiences

Not only famous for its spectacular natural scenery in every season, Japan is also a country with a rich culture, a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. Therefore, visitors should spend a few days to explore the cultural colors of the Land of the Rising Sun.

One of the most exciting experiences is the thrill of watching live sumo matches. Sumo is a traditional martial art with strong cultural and religious significance, and is the oldest in the world, originating in the early Nara period (710 - 794). In Japan, there are six live sumo events each year, three of which take place at the Ryogoku Kokugikan - an indoor sports arena in Tokyo - in January, May and September. To see the exciting matches live, visitors should book in advance, as tickets often sell out quickly.

Tokyo is a great place to explore the arts with deep traditions. Buy tickets to see a kabuki (dance-theater) play at the Kabuki-za theater in Ginza, one of Tokyo's most fashionable districts; enjoy kaiseki cuisine presented as a work of art; and watch a geisha performance in the old town of Asakusa.

The spiritual life of the Japanese is extremely rich, reflected in the system of temples and pagodas present in almost every locality. Among them are many temples that are nearly 1,000 years old, typically the famous and sacred Senso-ji Temple, which is an iconic tourist attraction in Tokyo. If you want to explore the secrets of Shinto, visitors should visit Shinto - the largest temple in Tokyo. This place is isolated from the outside world, to approach, visitors must go through a long forest path. The wooden shrines are located in a large campus, surrounded by towering gates and gardens covered with green trees.

After long days of sightseeing and experiencing, visitors should take time to recover their health by resting and relaxing in a ryokan (a guesthouse with onsen - hot springs). This is a traditional form of accommodation only found in Japan. Entering a ryokan, visitors are greeted by the scent of mattresses.

tatami made of pressed dry straw or super soft Igusa grass, a cup of hot tea in the room, or enjoy washoku - traditional indigenous cuisine that has been listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Afterwards, visitors can comfortably soak in the steaming hot water originating from the heart of the volcano to find the most relaxing and comfortable feeling for the body.

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