Sakura, or cherry blossoms, play a significant role in Japanese tradition. In early Spring, Japan plays host to curious sightseers from all over the world. Sakura trees' blossoming represents spring's beginning and life's fleeting beauty. The sakura blossom has been Japan's national flower for hundreds of years. It was during the Nara era of Japan's history in the eighth century when the first cherry blossom festival was held.

Ukon no Utage was a festival that honored the rebirth of nature and the splendor of the sakura trees that signaled the start of spring. The widespread adoration of sakura blossoms is often attributed to the Edo period (17th to 19th century Japan). The Japanese custom of hanami, or picnicking beneath the cherry blossoms, was a popular pastime among samurai soldiers and inspired many of them to compose poems about the sakura trees.

History and Tradition

In Japan, the most common activity associated with sakura is hanami, which means "flower watching." Parks and gardens fill up with people having picnics and socializing beneath the cherry blossoms during sakura season. Many Japanese people take time off from work or school to enjoy hanami, which is seen as a way to reconnect with nature and spend quality time with loved ones.

Nighttime cherry blossom viewing, or yozakura, is another custom associated with the sakura. The nighttime illumination of selected sakura trees makes for a visually arresting and evocative scene. Walking or dining among the cherry blossoms at night is a popular pastime.

Very common in Japan during the sakura season are foods and drinks with a sakura motif. In convenience shops, or konbinis, you may get seasonal treats like sakura mochi (sweet rice cake covered in cherry blossom leaves) and sakura-flavored beverages.

Fun Activities

Besides hanami, several more enjoyable events take place in Japan during the sakura season. Consider these recommendations:

• Go through a tunnel of cherry trees. In certain parts of Japan, sakura trees border the streets on both sides, giving the impression of a tunnel. It's like stepping into a fairy tale as you stroll through a tunnel of sakura blossoms.

• Go to a sakura festival. In Japan, several communities celebrate the cherry blossom season with sakura festivals. Live bands, cultural performances, and food stands are commonplace at such events.

• Go out on the sea and see the sakura by renting a boat. You may get a unique view of the cherry blossoms from the water by renting a rowboat or paddleboat at several parks.