Japan's tourism industry welcomes millions of visitors during cherry blossom season. Image of a 4km long cherry blossom-viewing walking path along both banks of the Zenpukuji River in Suginami. (Source: Pixta) |
Spring in Japan is marked not only by warmth and vitality but also by the stunning sight of cherry blossoms in full bloom. For just a few weeks, cherry trees across the Land of the Rising Sun burst into bloom, painting the country in shades of pure pink and white.
Traditional beauty
Cherry blossoms ( sakura ) are the symbol of spring in Japan, with a fragile yet charming beauty. Every year, from late March to May, millions of cherry blossoms bloom simultaneously, creating a poetic scene across the country.
This is also the time of the Hanami festival, one of the oldest and most beloved traditional customs in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Families eat under cherry blossoms at Himeji Castle. (Source: 663highland) |
Every year, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the Hanami festival takes place. “Hanami” means flower viewing, and is said to have originated in the Nara period (8th century), when the aristocracy held tea parties under the cherry blossoms.
During the Edo period (1603-1868), this custom became more popular and spread among the people. Today, Hanami has become a typical cultural feature of Japan, the festival not only attracts local people but also attracts millions of international tourists to admire this beautiful scene.
On this occasion, Japanese people often go to parks to see the flowers with family and friends. They do not forget to bring bento boxes, sushi, tempura, dango and sakura mochi, sake or beer to sip under the blooming cherry trees.
Not only that, they also participate in flower viewing at night, under the magical, shimmering lantern light. The festival also comes with cultural events such as traditional dance performances, music , food fairs and art exhibitions inspired by cherry blossoms.
The economy "explodes" bloom in every petal"
According to Tokyo-based map publisher Shoubunsha, Japan has more than 600 famous cherry blossom viewing spots, often concentrated in large parks, temples, shrines and other attractions.
Some famous places to participate in the Hanami festival include Ueno Park, Meguro River in Tokyo, Maruyama Park in Kyoto and Hirosaki Castle in Aomori... attracting a large number of tourists from near and far to come and enjoy the scenery.
Tourists experience the Hanami festival at night. (Source: iStock) |
The sight of hundreds and thousands of cherry blossoms has brought huge economic benefits to this Northeast Asian country. According to the Japan Tourism Agency, in 2024, Japan welcomed nearly 37 million tourists, generating revenue of 1.14 trillion Yen (more than 7.7 billion USD).
The Japan National Tourism Organization predicts a surge in the number of tourists this year. If January 2025 sees a 40% increase year-on-year, the Land of Kimono can expect more than 4 million visitors per month during the peak season from March to May 2025. The 42% increase in bookings year-on-year also shows that interest in traveling to the land of cherry blossoms is continuing to grow rapidly.
The overall increase in both foreign and domestic tourists going cherry blossom viewing this year will significantly increase revenue from activities such as food, beverage and souvenir sales, as well as travel expenses.
According to economist Katsuhiro Miyamoto, professor emeritus at Kansai University, this year's cherry blossom season is expected to bring Japan's tourism industry an estimated 1,390 billion yen ($9 billion) in revenue, up 22.2% year-on-year, the highest level in history.
Promoting the development of the cherry blossom economy
Building on the success of 2024, the Japanese government wants to attract even more foreign visitors to visit this year's cherry blossom season. To achieve this goal, the country has relaxed visa policies, invested more in infrastructure, and eased restrictions on low-cost air and sea routes.
Japan has launched many activities to attract tourists to visit during cherry blossom season. In the photo: Tourists admire cherry blossoms at Ueno Park. (Source: japan-guide) |
In addition, to enhance the experience of visitors and take advantage of the Hanami festival in tourism development, the Japanese government has implemented many measures such as creating more spacious flower viewing spaces, strengthening the management of the number of visitors at large parks; building an application to forecast the blooming time of flowers, helping people and visitors to plan appropriately.
The Japanese government has made the most of social media like Instagram to promote the beauty of cherry blossoms and traditional Hanami festivals, attracting tourists to new destinations, away from the often overcrowded tourist areas.
Accordingly, the agency also cooperated with Instagram to launch a campaign calling on users to share photos of cherry blossoms in little-known locations. Ms. Ryoko Ichimura, spokesperson for Instagram Japan, said that 5 million international tourists have visited these new locations to take photos and share.
Hanami is not only a flower viewing festival but also an opportunity for people to slow down and appreciate the beautiful moments of life. This tradition not only attracts Japanese people but also becomes a special experience for international tourists.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/du-lich-nhat-ban-no-ro-mua-le-hoi-hanami-310533.html
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