READING TIME: 5 MINUTES.
The most awaited time of the year
Once the first week of March is over, Japan begins to get ready to welcome its most beloved flowers – the cherry blossoms, or sakura as they are called here. There is a daily update on the news of how the cherry blossoms ‘front’ is progressing northward through the archipelago. There is joyful anticipation in the air as people wait the for the blooming trees to transform the towns and cities into a fairytale of white and pink flowers.
Are the sakura cherry trees?
Sakura trees are different from ordinary cherry trees as they don’t produce fruit but instead have been cultivated over the centuries for their beautiful flowers. The cherry blossoms are considered the unofficial icon of Japan, and the trees are so loved and venerated that they are often given as a precious gift to other countries and symbolize Japan’s spirit and friendship.
Hanami – flower viewing
In Japan, the blooming of the sakura heralds the true arrival of spring. It is a time to rejoice and enjoy the beauty of the trees. Hanami, or ‘flower-viewing parties’ are a common sight at this time of the year. In parks, shrines and temples, people sit under the flower heavy branches and share food and drinks with their family and friends. It is a wonderful time to celebrate! There is so much tradition and even vocabulary associated with the blooming trees: for example, Yozakura means ‘cherry blossoms at night’. In many parks and gardens the trees are illuminated after sundown with the lights giving the blossoms an almost ethereal glow. There are special sweets and tea that are enjoyed during blossom viewing, and in many areas across Japan there are cherry blossom festivals.
One of the most famous ones in Tokyo is the Meguro River Festival. At night, the pink lanterns strung along the river and the sakura trees lining its banks combine forces to create a magical world of flowers and light. It is a festive sight to behold and enjoy with a glass of pink champagne with strawberries that can be purchased at one of the many stalls offering food and drinks.
The wabi-sabi of cherry blossoms
Interestingly, the cherry blossom season is also a time we become acutely aware of the ephemeral nature of life. The exquisite beauty of the trees is enchanting, but it is very short lived – like clouds of pink snow, in just two weeks their petals will fall and will be swept away by the wind. This cycle is embodied in the concept of mono aware. Influenced by Buddhism, mono aware is described as the bittersweet feeling one has when witnessing the grand play of Life. It is a combination of appreciation of Life’s beauty and sadness of how transient it is. Perhaps this is another reason why the blooming sakura trees have such a strong cultural impact in Japan – their beauty teaches us appreciation but also acceptance of the cycles of Life
Below are the links to two of my virtual tours that offer spectacular cherry blossoms viewing. The trees normally bloom between the third week of March and the first week of April. To ensure you can see the cherry blossoms contact Makayla before booking.
* The Spirit of Japan Tours organizes private and group tours to temples and sites where you can experience the richness of Japan’s spirituality and traditions. Please, message us for more information about our future tours.
