Join Rui Hachimura and the Washington Wizards for a special cherry blossom-themed basketball game! The grounds are host to a number of special events throughout the season, including the incredibly exciting and hypnotic Japanese taiko drumming, calligraphy presentations and workshops, and traditional dance performances. Japans famous cherry blossom festival season begins around the end of March and lasts for approximately 2 weeks, depending on location. D.C.'s cherry blossoms are expected to peak between March 22 and March 25 this year. The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been influenced, provided, or reviewed by the credit card companies mentioned. Be prepared and pack a pair of walking boots and thick socks that will keep your feet warm and dry while you are outside. They drink and eat, making the tradition of blossom-viewing more like a picnic under the trees. Bottom Line: With over 600 different types of cherry trees in Japan, you may want to learn more about the many varieties here. Fast forward a few hundred years and the family members and the courtiers of the most important imperial families made it fashionable to hold gatherings to celebrate the occasion of the annual new bloom at the beginning of spring. identity, and range of engaging activities. The uncertainty makes it more difficult to schedule your trip around a specific festival. Located within the city of Kanazawa, the park is easy to reach using the famous Japanese bullet trains and other local transport, and the best time to see the sakura is early to mid-April. In 1912, that gift created a unique bond between our capital cities. The annual festival, commemorating the 1912 gift of cherry trees from Tokyo to Washington and the longtime friendship between Japan and the United States, will run from March 20 to April 16. The peaceful banks of the Kusaba River are home to around 1.5 kilometers of cherry trees that line the banks. [Expired] [Fare Alert] U.S. to Doha From $1,180 in Premium Economy, Buy Hilton Honors Points for as Little as 0.5 Cents Each [Up to a 100% Bonus], BEST OFFER EVER: Earn $900 Bonus Cash Back. Festival dates are usually determined with reference to cherry blossom forecasts and vary from year to year. Being just a short bus ride from Kyoto station, Nijo Castle surprisingly still manages to be one of the less crowded locations for viewing. Settling down for a picnic here is a must the view is so picturesque. Hanami literally means "viewing flowers," but it generally indicates cherry blossom viewing. Visitors come to watch the blossoms fall, enjoy picnics on the lawns, or explore the food carts and other stalls that are set up during hanami. The castle sits an hour or so outside of Osaka but can be easily reached by train to Kintetsu-Koriyama station. Often voted one of the best cherry blossom viewing areas in Japan, this 4km stretch of 800 trees line the Meguro River in Nakameguro, a district not far from Shibuya. With 800 cherry trees lining the moat, this pretty little castle has undergone reconstruction to offer one of the most scenic spots from which to view the sakura in all of Osaka. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Playing catch up, Amar embarked on an 11-country round-the-world gap year after graduation and then became well and truly hooked. There are strict rules to follow during the tour, including no eating or drinking and a regimented one-way walkway. To be held this year from March 20 to April 16, signature events include Petalpalooza, a day . From late March through to mid-April, the castle grounds are perfect for enjoying a picnic under the cherry trees while the sakura blossoms gently fall around you. The sea of pink petals set against the white walls of the castle is possibly one of the most beautiful settings in which to view the sakura. Click here to view! Celebrate the beginning of the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the 110th anniversary of the gift of the cherry trees from Tokyo to Washington DC with a one-time-only performance that features artists with ties to both the US and Japan. From late April into May, some 2,500 cherry trees form beautiful blossom tunnels that are illuminated at night. While at the festival, youll be able to enjoy local crafts and food, take trips on the boating lake, and enjoy music and colorful dance performances. Not just for the daytime, the Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival is also one of the best places to enjoy the flowers at night: the illuminated trees, known as yozakura, compliment the evening performances spectacularly. Best Places To See Cherry Blossoms in Japan. And dont forget to check out this regions bonus festival: the Fuji Shibazakura, or Pink Moss Festival, that is held just 3km from Lake Motosuko and invites visitors to walk and picnic amongst a blanket of vibrant pink flowers, perfectly contrasting the iconic crisp blue mountain. Blossoming Flowers in Japanese Art and Poetry. The Cherry Blossom Festival runs March 11 through March 13, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with admissions closing at 5 p.m. The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual spring celebration of Japanese arts and culture organized by the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, with tremendous support from title sponsor Subaru of America, Inc. Hakodate Park also features a beautiful water fountain, a childrens playground, and even its very own mini-zoo, making it an incredibly family-friendly spot from which to enjoy the festival. Fans of taiko drumming, teriyaki chicken, sake and Japanese artwork and wares won't want to miss the Cherry Blossom Festival - "Sakura Matsuri" in Japanese. Shinjuku Gyoenis open every day between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. but closed on Mondays. Sakura is the Japanese word for cherry trees and their blossoms. As a firm contender for one of the top hanami spots in all of Japan, this natural landmark is a definite must-see during hanami. He has also lived in places such as Australia, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico. The festival features over 24 hours of Japanese cultural performances on four stages (including J-Pop, traditional Japanese music, and martial arts) and a diverse range of cultural exhibitors, artisan and commercial vendors of traditional and contemporary Japanese goods, and Japanese and other food and beverages. This particular festival lasts longer than most because its customary to view the fallen petals, which have settled on the castles moat long after the last petals have left the trees. The festival features over 24 hours of Japanese cultural performances on four stages (including J-Pop, traditional Japanese music, and martial arts) and a diverse range of cultural exhibitors, artisan and commercial vendors of traditional and contemporary Japanese goods, and Japanese and other food and beverages. The castle moat turns pink from the floating blossom petals, and the trees look stunning set against the backdrop of the castle itself. If you're planning a trip to the country in the spring, here's what you need to know about the hanami tradition. Located on the hillside of Mount Hakodate, the park can be reached by public transport. While, a park in Newark, New Jersey, has Washington, D.C., beat with a larger number of blooming cherry trees than the nation's capital. Running for 4 kilometers on either side of the Okawa River, Kema Sakuranomiya Park is an inner-city oasis that offers nearly 5,000 cherry trees that blossom from the end of March through to the middle of April. Elderly Japanese sometimes opt to visit Japanese plum parks to viewplum blossomsinstead, as these areas are often less busy and rowdy. The forecast is based on various factors, including temperature lows in autumn and winter, and past area data. Hot Tip: You can take a 3-hour cherry blossom and food tour with a local around the neighborhood that surrounds Osaka Castle. Cherry blossoms in South Korea typically bloom late or end of March to early April, similar to Japan. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Capture pink clouds of blossoms set against the ancient ruins of the original castle as you enter through the famous Ote Gate, or enjoy a long meander through the castle grounds during hanami. Running about 7 kilometers long and 36 meters wide, the road is very straight and is lined with some 3,000 sakura trees. Situated in the grounds of the prestigious Tokyo University, these landscaped gardens are home to thousands of cherry trees that bloom in the spring. Osaka Mint is open from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. with the last entry at 4 p.m. As the most famous spot in the city to enjoy hanami, Maizuru Park was built around the ruins of Fukuoka Castle. Another spectacular castle surrounded by cherry blossom trees is Takada Castle: an estate in the Niigata prefecture two hours northwest of Tokyo. Blossom viewing areas are the perfect places for people to enjoy the transitory season together, usually accompanied by performances, stalls, and activities. The cherry blossoms usually appear in Tokyo andKyotosometime between March and April, depending upon the climate earlier in the year. Since then Amar has endeavored to turn his gap year into a "gap life" and has spent the last 13 years traveling the 7 continents. If you want to experience the magic of cherry blossom season in Japan, 2023 will be your next chance. The parade will feature colorful helium ballons, elaborate floats, marching bands, entertainers and performances blooming with energy. Situated within the grounds of the castle, Nishinomaru Garden is the perfect place for cherry-viewing picnics and parties, set against the stunning backdrop of the ancient castle steeped in Japanese history. All Rights Reserved. It is also famous for Somei Yoshino, the weeping cherry blossom, as well as the beautiful cherry blossom tunnel at the approach to the temple. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Michelin Guides, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Forbes. Goryokaku Park is considered one of the best places in Hakodate to experience the hanami season and one that is very popular all year round. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. As home to the last blooming cherry trees in Japan, the Buddhist temple of Seiryu-Ji can be found in the easternmost city of Nemuro. As well as the world-famous cherry trees, Shinjuku Gyoenalso offers an English-style garden, a French garden, and a traditional Japanese garden. In 2023, the festival was originally scheduled to be held from February 1 to 28, but the festival period was later extended through March 5. You may even find yourself in the midst of a cherry blossom festival! If youre looking for an otherworldly cherry blossom experience, this is the place to be. Considered to be one of the very best landscaped gardens in Japan, Kenrokuen Garden is as famous for its stunning grounds and traditional Japanese gardens as it is for its cherry trees. The weather in Japan varies depending on location, so be sure to check the weather forecast before you travel. Home to over 4,500 different plant species, Kyoto Botanical Gardens is home to the largest conservatory in Japan and a popular destination for those looking to join in with the hanami celebrations. Situated immediately outside Kitayama Station, the Botanical Gardens are one of the most central spots in which to picnic and party during your sakura viewing. While all the blossoms are beautiful, not all are the same. The peak blossoming depends on the year and weather, so it is recommended to check in advance. As night falls, the blossoms are illuminated with paper lanterns, and the park is the perfect place to see the sakura from the end of March through to the middle of April. In Hokkaido, cherry blossoms are usually in full bloom in May. Nishi Park is located in the center of Fukuoka City and offers a stunning urban oasis in the heart of an industrial city. As one of the most modern temples in Japan, visitors also come to enjoy the extensive grounds and see the Shwa Daibutsu, the tallest seated bronze figure of Buddha in Japan. 2023 Upgraded Points, LLC. For many thousands of years, the act of observing them has been celebrated during the season of Hanami.. Cherry blossoms normally begin blooming in January in Okinawa, and reach their peak in late March to April in the Honshu region. Shinjuku Gyoen is a more peaceful base from which to enjoy the cherry blossoms, and visitors come here instead of some of the busier venues to quietly enjoy the breathtaking sight of 1,300 cherry trees blooming at different stages. While the festival of hanami is most about celebrating the beautiful blooms of the cherry blossom trees, it is also an excuse to come together to drink sake and beer, eat sweet treats, and celebrate just being together at the beginning of the spring. click here to leave your comment. Why Is the Cherry Blossom Season Different Each Year? This man-made oasis was designed with the help of world-famous sculptor Isamu Noguchi. The festivities truly come alive at night here with fairy lights and illuminated paper lantern trees. The Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan, DC, is proud to present Exploring Hiroshige and His Influence on Social Media, an exhibition looking at the work of the seminal ukiyo-e artist, Utagawa Hiroshige, as part of the 2022 National Cherry Blossom Festival. The Cherry Blossom Festival holds the honor of being one of the longest, continually running ethnic festivals in the State of Hawai'i - originally started in 1953. The period from late March through to early April is the best time to see the sakura. For those who would like to enjoy a more scaled-down celebration of spring, there are plenty of lesser-known viewing spots where visitors can picnic in peace. Hot Tip: Once you know where to see the cherry trees blossom and when to get there, keep in mind that hanami can get very competitive as everyone wants to ensure that they get the best spot. Be careful how much fun you have during your hanami celebrations, as the cherry trees are sensitive to cuts and bruises. The densely clustered petals are so pale in color that they appear to be almost white, and the name itself comes from the spring equinox, or higan, which represents the time when they bloom. Cherry Blossom Festival Japan Naha (Okinawa) Credits: Pedro Cambra In Okinawa, the estimated average first bloom is said to start in late January. See the 2022 National Cherry Blossom Festival events happening in Washington, DC. As a general rule, though, springtime in Japan is usually a little on the chilly side with a definite chance of rain wherever you are. Sakura petals are soaked in salt in a process called shiozuke to produce a distinctively flavored delicacy called sakurazuke. The final result is usually put on bread or wrapped around a red bean curd to create a traditional Japanese treat called Sakura mochi. Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival will take place on April 14-16, 2023: 10am-6pm at the Armory Food & Event Hall and Fisher Pavilion. The ancient farmers also used the blooming of the sakura flowers to help them understand when the time was right to plant their rice crops, helping to keep famine at bay. Celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival with the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade! When youre ready to book your travel, review all of the best ways to fly from the U.S. to Japan with points and miles. In southern Japan, the blossoms typically happen as early as January. Spending the day with wet feet can seriously impair your enjoyment. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Peak bloom refers to the time period in which 70% of the Yoshino cherry blossoms, the most populous variety around the . Cultivated many centuries ago, the Somie Yohsino is one of the most commonly found cherry trees in Japan. Souvenir stalls selling masks and toys are dotted throughout the castle grounds, perfect for grabbing a lasting memento of the magical, flower-filled night. Cherry blossom festivals take place in different regions ofthe country. Centrally located close to both Morinomiya and Osakajokoen stations, Osaka Castle Park can get very busy during hanami. Cherry trees will blossom depending on various factors such as geographic location and the weather. Poor winter conditions can add a week to either side of the expected dates, but as a general rule of thumb, the milder the climate, the earlier in the year the blossoms will open. When does the cherry blossom festival start? Various spots located in the Fuji Five Lake region offer amazing views of the cherry blossom trees, and from mid- to late April, you can experience hanami while taking in this world-famous landmark. We will see you again on June 17 & 18, 2023! The festival is part of the Seattle Center Festl series. Cuts to the bark or roots of the tree can lead to rot that spreads across the whole tree, causing it to die. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Unlike the aristocrats of yesteryear, today people in Japan make fun a key component of cherry blossom viewing. The 10 most popular types of trees you are likely to see during hanami include: This is the most common variety of cherry tree to be found all across Japan, and one that can be found growing wildly in some parts of the country. In addition, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. GET EMAILS FAQ MEDIA PRIVACY POLICY TERMS OF USE JOB OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT US, {"name":"Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival","description":"Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival. Join us for a ceremonial cherry tree planting at National Harbor celebrating the 110th anniversary of the gift of the cherry trees from Tokyo to Washington DC. The park is about a 20-minute drive from the town of Kikuchi and is best reached by car. There are no set dates for the season, as there are certain extenuating factors that can affect the timing of the blooms all across the country. In areas of high altitude, for example, the blossom will usually arrive later than those found in lower-altitude regions. Tokyo Flowering: March 18 / Full bloom: March 25 Sapporo The Japanese even have their own words for the different types of blooms, stages of their development, and ways in which they celebrate them. Arts & Culture Japan Now! Ginza Marketplace Taste of Japan. Set in the Kumamoto Prefecture, Kikuchi Park is home to over 3,000 cherry trees that offer a variety of different types of single-layer and multiple-layer petals. As the most popular and often crowdedspot in the city for cherry blossom viewing, the focal point of the hanami here is the tall shidarezakura (weeping cherry tree) that visitors flock to see in the springtime. 2022 NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL The Embassy of Japan is proud to present a fabulous lineup through the Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC) during the 2022 National Cherry Blossom Festival. On the northernmost islands and highlands, it is not unusual to wait until May to experience the hanami in all its glory. Japan's famous cherry blossom festival season begins around the end of March and lasts for approximately 2 weeks, depending on location. People bring home-cooked meals, make barbecued foods, or buy take-out food to mark the occasion. In the north, it can be as late as May. Weather in Hokkaido: Climate, Seasons, and Average Monthly Temperature. Here youll find the unique sakura onigiri, a rice ball made with salted cherry blossoms, as well as sakura mochi, a sweet and squishy bite-sized dessert. From local websites and news reports to tracking apps, there is no reason for you to miss the start of the season. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nijo Castle is a beautiful place to explore all year round. The festival is at the north shore of Lake Kawaguchi, and you can stay after sunset to enjoy the illuminated trees and evening festivities. Admiring the flowers fleeting beauty is a practice that dates back over a thousand years. 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