Spring equinox is here and Japan has already blossomed into a sea of pink wilderness and crystal blue skies. Discover these unmissable cherry blossom festivals in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Cherry blossom, or “sakura”, the national flower of Japan, denotes a time of renewal and hope. Spring equinox is here and crystal clear skies with blushing pink ‘‘sakura’’ wilderness is already blooming throughout Japan’s landscape.  Magical as it is, Japan is particularly famous for its cherry blossom due its impressive varieties and the nationwide celebrations during the blooming season. The pops of pink are reminiscent of the ending of winter and onset of spring. “Sakura” also bears resemblance to the transience of life, a major theme in Buddhism.

However enchanting, the fleeting life of cherry blossoms serve as a reminder that like the delicate white-pink flowers, human existence is likewise frail and lovely. To commemorate this beautiful transient journey, people around Japan celebrate the cherry blossom festival which is dedicated to cherishing the beauty of the “sakura”.

India Outbound presents some of the best places in Japan to see these unique sights.

“Hanami” or Cherry Blossom Festival, 2023 

At Hanami, or “flower viewing” in Japanese, the traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms is synonymous with public picnics, friends, and families huddling under the trees with food and drink. Many Japanese performing arts are presented to entice spectators as a cultural celebration of beauty, including song and dance.

One can also admire local crafts for sale or explore food specific to the festival’s region, a particularly special way to celebrate Hanami is the Japanese tea ceremony held under the cherry blossom trees. Sweet and savoury dishes are amongst the top picks at the festival, often themed to match the pink blossoms.

The beauty of Hanami in the night in many festivals involves putting up decorative paper lanterns on the trees, enhancing the beauty of the flowers into the night. This is called a yozakura, which translates to “night-time sakura.”

Ueno: Late-March to mid-April

The Ueno cherry blossom festival in Tokyo is a crowd magnet, which has been a party spot for decades now. “Yozakura” is one of the most popular attractions here, with the illuminated trees and complimentary performances to light up the 1,200 entrancing cherry blossom trees at the park. Shrines and the famous Last Samurai statue are some unmissable additions to the festivities, with the must-try local spring food of strawberries.

Mount Yoshino, Nara: Late-March to late-April

Cherry blossoms at Mt Yoshino are called “Ichimoku Senbon”, which translates into a thousand cherry blossom trees in one glance! Light and dark pink flowers adorn the foot of the mountain to its pinnacle, around the Shimosenbon, Nakasenbon, Kamisenbon, and Okusenbon areas. Tourists can also view the panoramic expanse from Kamisenbon.

Takada Castle: Early-April to mid-April

Gaze at the spell-binding castle while basking in the beauty of 4,000 “sakura” trees under the popular cherry blossom viewing spot. In the evenings, the castle lights 3,000 lanterns, creating this a stunning location for nighttime photography or simply admiring the striking contrast of illuminated flowers, castle, and lanterns. The area is bustling with people for this annual spring celebration, and 300 stalls are set up for the length of the event.

Fuji Kawaguchiko: Early-April to mid-April 

Visitors can tour Lake Kawaguchiko in the spring to see cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji, a match made in a floral paradise. The main site decors range from a craft market to illuminations beginning at sunset, along with lakeside pathways lined with dozens of cherry trees. There is also an event space between Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum and the Maple Corridor, and Konohana Art Museum to explore.

Hirosaki Park, Aomori Prefecture: Late-April to mid-May

Tourists throng to the majestic Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture to experience its 2,600 species of cherry blossom trees, which include Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms, Shidarezakura (Weeping Cherry), and Yaezakura (Double Layer Cherry). One of the season’s last and most dazzling festivals, it takes place in the Aomori prefecture in the extreme north of Japan. More than a million people visit the 400-year-old castle to see the fallen petals on the moat of the building. By the foot of the castle, there are celebrations with street food, craft booths selling unique handicrafts, and traditional Japanese music and dance.