Japan has a mild climate in spring and offers its most charming side. A trip to the Rising Sun from March to May welcomes cherry blossoms
Il Japan It is a special tourist destination. The perfect time to visit is undoubtedly spring, when the weather softens and the country is dressed in charm and Cherry blossoms. From mid-March to May you will find an ancient land, suspended in an intact but very modern tradition and you will be able to enjoy all its treasures to the fullest. However, it is not recommended in summer due to the high humidity and challenge in winter, especially in the north and on some islands, trapped in the freezing cold and often affected by heavy snowfall.
Thanks also to the mild climate, being in Japan when the cherry trees are in bloom is a sight you won't forget. But you have to organize your trip and your destination carefully because cherry trees bloom at different times depending on the latitude, starting in the south and then reaching the north. At this time many Japanese, and also many foreigners, gather under the branches of cherry trees full of pink flowers to Hanami, to admire its flowering. This festival that attracts millions of people to the parks every year celebrates the beauty of existence and its fragility. Just as the cherry blossom is magnificent but does not last long, that is life, according to Japanese culture.
During Hanami, every city, small or large, has its enchanted place where people gather to have a picnic under the cherry blossoms. (sakura). But without a doubt one of the best places to celebrate Hanami is Tokyo the capital of Japan. However, as this is a very popular destination, it is advisable to book in advance, as soon as the peak flowering period is announced, which varies from year to year depending on the weather, although lately it has been getting earlier and earlier.
Once you arrive in Tokyo, go to Ueno Park. Its central avenue is famous throughout the world for the 600 cherry trees that line it. When flowering is in all its splendor, these sakura look like clouds resting on the greenest grass and transport you out of time, towards absolute aesthetic perfection. Ueno also hosts the Cherry Blossom Festival, which at night illuminates the sky with a thousand rice paper lanterns, creating a magical night atmosphere while the petals of the cherry trees fall gently from the branches. The temperate climate will allow you to enjoy flowering both at night and during the day.
After Ueno, don't miss Hanami in the neighborhood. Shinjuku. The cherry trees bordering the Chidorigafuchi moat are an impressive sight. In this park the flowers are pure white, because the plants belong to the Somei Yoshino species and when they bloom they give off a sweet aroma that you will not forget. The warmth of the Japanese spring will give you the perfect climate to wait for the sunset and admire the contrast between the ultra-modern skyscrapers and this natural and fragile spectacle. At night, it is also possible to rent small rowboats to experience Hanami from the water, sailing along the canals over which the branches of the cherry trees gently curve.
Blooming Japan seen from the water offers probably the most poetic aspect of the land of the Rising Sun. Take advantage of the festive atmosphere and take a cruise along the river, in full bloom. In Tokyo there are many agencies that organize them. For example, aboard a small traditional boat you can navigate the Oyokogawa River, in the traditional Koto-ku neighborhood surrounded by flower petals. Or you can admire the Bokutei cherry trees and the Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in the country, enjoying the spring weather by gliding down Sumidagawa.
If you are organizing your first picnic under the sakura alone, don't forget to put a waterproof sheet in your backpack to spread over the grass, it will help with the dew. The bento is placed in Hanami baskets, the traditional tray with compartments that becomes hanami bento for the occasion, and which houses all the seasonal Japanese specialties. The most typical dishes are based on carved vegetables, according to the rigorous Japanese aesthetics, accompanied by the inevitable fish. Remember that it is good practice to carry a bag in which to collect the remains of the picnic.
If Hanami were to bring its season forward, Japan's weather might still be a bit harsh. To protect yourself from the cold and be able to stay calm and admire the cherry trees for hours, in parks or on boats, bring warm clothing. On sale you can find the typical (and comfortable) disposable hand or body warmers.
