After everything that has happened this spring here, this was the event that could lift spirits. While it took on a muted tone, because of the recent events; it was still an incredible time to be in Japan and have the opportunity to see it. Hanami has been the thing I have most wanted to see in Japan that I hadn't seen yet. I have been wanting to see it ever since not having the chance to see it during my study abroad here.
Cherry Blossom: (桜, さくら, sakura)
Hanami is one of Japan's most significant cultural events. It is so important that during the cherry blossom season, the news covers the spread of the cherry blossom blooming and predicted date of blooming throughout Japan as their main coverage. The most common way of celebrating it is to get together with friends, family or co-workers and hanami, or basically picnic / party under the cherry blossom trees. All across Japan, sakura trees can be spotted everywhere during this time with their delicate white, red and pink flowers filling the landscape. There are many places in Japan that are specifically famous for their sakura and thousands of people flock to these spaces every spring. My girlfriend showed me some of these famous spots in Tokyo and they blew away even my high expectations for it. The sights are incredible and beautiful. It's something I would recommend everyone to see at least once.
Shinjuku Gyoen:
This was the first place we went to to specifically see the cherry blossoms. The garden was created on the old site of Daimyo Naito's residence in 1906 for use as an imperial garden. [1] Destroyed in World War II, it was remade and turned into a public park. It's 200 yen to enter the park, but well worth it during this season. This trip was during April 3rd. Hanami is usually late March to early April, lasting for only a few weeks.
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| One of the first scenes upon entering from Shinjuku Gate. The cherry blossoms here mixed in with what might be a magnolia tree. |
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| The first pink blossoms along our way. |
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| Something I learned this year is the prevalence of numerous types and colors of cherry blossoms. Here's an interesting variety on the sakura shape. |
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| Close-up of above. |
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| Hanami in action. |
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| I also learned sakura could be this bright red color and not just white or pink. |
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| Close-up of above. |
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| The prettiest section of the park for cherry blossoms. |
The pictures can't really give the Cherry Blossom Season in Japan justice, but I hope you can get a taste of what it's like to be here during this time. While Shinjuku Gyoen was incredible for hanami, there are even better spots in Tokyo for seeing the sakura and I will be showing these other areas that we went to next time.
References:
1. "Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden,"
Ministry of Environment (Japan).
http://www.env.go.jp/garden/shinjukugyoen/english/.
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