At the end of March, sakura begins to bloom in Japan, and every year thousands of tourists go there just to look at the blossoming buds of Japanese cherry.
Cherry color is associated with the Japanese with clouds, walks through the garden with blossoming sakura they metaphorically call walking among the clouds. The comparison refers to the principle of mono-no-avare - “the sad charm of things”. What is sad in beautiful pink buds? It turns out that the whole thing is in the transience of flowering and their fast fading - the Japanese relate it to the life and death of a person.
Observation of blooming flowers is denoted in Japanese by the word "han", which literally translates as "admiring the flowers." The tradition attracts tourists from all over the world and even gradually goes beyond the borders of the country. However, neither in Chicago, nor in Amsterdam, nor in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, where there are also alleys of sakura, admiring its flowering will not give such emotions as in Japan. The atmosphere of the country, its customs, architecture and mentality contribute to maximum immersion in the khans.
Sakura does not bloom for long - about 7-10 days. If you do not have time to get into the flowering period of trees in one region, you can go to another. Or even arrange a tour around the country to enjoy cherry blossoms for a month and a half, moving from one garden to another.
Because of the short flowering period before the trip, you need to know if you can see the awakening of the trees in a particular place, or it is better to go to a region where the sakura blooms later. Each year a cherry blossom schedule is drawn up, and it is fairly accurate. For example, this year in Tokyo, Sakura will bloom in late March, and in Sapporo, flowering will begin only in early May.
Rules of good tone
Every Japanese park has its own rules of behavior - be sure to follow them. The Japanese are very respectful of their land and expect the same from tourists. Here are a few rules:
- You can not pluck sakura, climb trees and shake them to shower the crown.
- In most parks, it is forbidden to make fires, including barbecue or barbecue.
- The same applies to alcohol: in some places, alcohol is not welcome. Although here, as in any country and place, everything rather depends on the culture of drinking. One thing is a glass of wine, another is a few bottles.
Although spring has taken over, the temperature can be quite low. It is better to dress warmly, let the bright sun and the blossoming greens do not deceive you.
Study the weather forecast: a picnic under a rain is unpleasant in itself, but rain can also knock down sakura flowers that will stick to your clothes.
It is better to look at the sakura from afar, not sitting directly under the trees, otherwise the petals will fall into food and drinks.
Not all parks have space for discarding trash. Be prepared to take packages with you.
Where to go for hanami
Tokyo
Flowering period: end of March - beginning of April
In the Japanese capital, there are several large parks with sakurami. Say, Ueno (Ueno), also known for its zoo, which has about two and a half thousand animals. If you missed the main cherry flowering period in Tokyo, pay attention to Shinjuku Gyoen, where not only early but also late sakura grow. In both parks, flowering should begin in the last days of March. Shinjuku-goen is considered one of the best places for hanami in all of Japan.
Five Lakes Fuji
Flowering period: end of March - beginning of April
In the vicinity of Mount Fuji there are parks where sakura grows in abundance. The five lakes (Yamanaka, Kawaguchi, Sai, Shoji and Motosu) are beautiful in their own right, and during the flowering period the sakura are transformed even more. So, from the lake Kawaguchi (Kawaguchiko) a beautiful view of the mountain itself in any season. On the northern and eastern shores of this lake grows many sakura trees, which bloom in early April.
Kyoto
Flowering period: end of March - mid April
In the city of Kyoto on the island of Honshu there are also large parks, as if specially created for the khans. A water channel stretches along the city, along the banks of which cherry trees grow. The place is called the “Philosophical Road” (Path of Philosophy): it is supposed that a walk under the blossoming cherry blossoms will help to get away from vain thoughts and tune in to thoughts of the high.
The main location in Kyoto for the hanami is Maruyama Park. The highlight is considered to be a luxurious looking weeping cherry, which is highlighted at night during the flowering period.
In the northern part of the city is the garden Haradani-en (Haradani-en). The area of 13 square kilometers is privately owned, so the visit to the garden is paid - the cost is 1,200 yen on weekdays and 1,500 yen on weekends and holidays, which is about 640 and 800 rubles, respectively. If you want a more quiet and secluded holiday, we recommend to look here.
Tohoku Region
Flowering period: end of April - beginning of May
Tohoku is located in the northern part of Honshu Island. Sakura blooms here later than in other regions. The peak is at the end of April - the beginning of May. In the small town of Kitakami, there is a wonderful Tenshochi Park, which attracts tourists from year to year.
Another interesting place is the city of Hirosaki, where the sakura grows in the park around the ancient Hirosaki castle. It was built four hundred years ago - in 1611 and is considered one of the most important tourist sites.
Sapporo
Flowering period: early May
Sapporo in Hokkaido has three parks at once, where you can see cherry blossoms. This park Maruyama (Maruyama, not to be confused with the same place in Kyoto), Odori (Odori) and Moerenuma (Moerenuma). Here, Sakura will bloom later than all - not earlier than the first days of May.
