todonavi - JAPAN CULTURAL and TOURISM information website

Written by D Armando

Translated by A. Osorio

3.27.2021 (Re:2.3.2022)

 

When you hear the word Hanami, what kind of flowers do you imagine? In Japan you can enjoy various flowers depending on the season, but when you talk about hanami, which translates to “observe the flowers” without any doubt it refers to the cherry blossoms. Cherry blossom season is back this year! Have you already made your plan?

 

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　1. Several types of “Sakura”

　2. Opening date and full bloom of cherry blossoms

　3. Period when cherry blossom viewing began

　4. The modern way of looking at cherry blossoms

　5. Cherry blossom viewing culture spreads abroad

 

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1. The Sakura – Cherry blossoms

 

There are several types of “Sakura”, it is even said that there are more than 600 species in Japan alone. Currently, the species “Someiyoshino” represent about 80% of cherry blossoms in Japan, but there are also species of “Yaezakura” and “Shidarezakura”.

There are also differences between the cherry blossoms according to the region, in Hokkaido there are the “Ezoyamazakura” and “Chishimazakura”. In Okinawa and the Amami region of Kagoshima prefecture, where the climate is very tropical, only “Someiyoshino” and “Kanhizakura” flourish, the former only sparingly and more in central Kagoshima, while the latter is more common in the islands of Okinawa.

The cherry blossoms “Kawazuzakura” and “Yoshinozakura” are also very famous.

 

 

2. Opening date and full bloom of cherry blossoms

 

Due to differences in varieties and climate, the flowering period is long, from January to May. Each year, from February to April, the expected flowering dates of cherry blossoms are announced nationwide, and the one that connects them with a line is called “Sakura Front” (sakura zensen), it refers to the progress of the flowering of the cherry trees in Japan. The front of the cherry blossoms usually goes from south to north, but it is not always a continuous line, because it sometimes blooms in the Kanto region before Kyushu.

 

 

3. Period when cherry blossom viewing began

 

The custom of observing cherry blossoms has strengthened its roots in Japan. And I think a lot of people wonder, When did cherry blossom viewing begin?

We go back to the time of Nara. However, the observation of flowers in the Nara period was for aristocrats to appreciate the plum blossoms that had just arrived from China. It was during the Heian period that it changed to cherry blossoms, and it spread rapidly among aristocrats at that time. Over time, it spread to the samurai class during the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, and finally to ordinary people during the Edo period.

 

 

4. The modern way of looking at cherry blossoms

 

In modern times, a new genre of cherry blossom viewing is establishing itself. Do you already know the word air hanami? “simulate cherry blossom viewing” This involves viewing cherry blossoms indoors, and some restaurants offer services that include decorations such as artificial cherry blossoms at the banquet. It is also called “air hanami”, the observation of cherry blossoms through virtual reality (VR).

The number has increased in recent years because people with pollinosis can enjoy viewing cherry blossoms regardless of the weather and flowering time.

 

 

5. Cherry blossom viewing culture spreads abroad

 

The image of cherry blossoms is that of Japan, but it is also popular all over the world. Cherry blossoms are introduced through international exchange projects by individuals and businesses and sister city exchanges, which make each region’s parks and streets cherry-colored. Among them, the number of cherry blossoms on the Potomac River in Washington, DC, the capital of the United States, reaches 2.000 and the state of full bloom is fantastic.

Also, these flowers bloom in various places like Finland, Sweden, and Brazil. South Korea and Taiwan, also have a habit of observing cherry blossoms.

 

 

6. Enjoy the cherry blossom season

 

This year you can also enjoy the cherry blossom season. And don’t forget that good food, drink and good company make this occasion even more wonderful.

 

 

 

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Written by D Armando

Translated by A. Osorio

 

 

The information in this article was current at the time of coverage and writing.

 

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