{"id":2193,"date":"2018-03-06T07:00:48","date_gmt":"2018-03-05T20:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.com.au\/blog\/?p=2193"},"modified":"2022-06-15T14:05:11","modified_gmt":"2022-06-15T04:05:11","slug":"cherry-blossom-fever-japan-want-catch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/cherry-blossom-fever-japan-want-catch\/","title":{"rendered":"Cherry Blossom Fever in Japan (And Why You Want to Catch It)"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the snow melts and spring makes its warmer presence felt in Japan, the cherry blossom trees burst into bloom. A curtain of pink and white flowers delicately envelopes Japan\u2019s streets, waterways, temples, houses and parks. Japan is then in the midst of cherry blossom fever.<\/p>\n

The cherry blossoms are a national (and international) obsession, with TV news reports regularly updating the Japanese people about where and when the flowers will appear, generally from late March onward. The cherry tree, or sakura<\/em>, is central to Japanese culture and identity. You will see them on kimonos, paintings, currency and even in food. The blossoms signal the time of year for new beginnings and an opportunity to start fresh. The tradition of hanami<\/em> \u2013 a picnic where friends, families and work colleagues gather under the cherry trees \u2013 has been around since the eighth century.<\/p>\n

Here is all you need to know about cherry blossom season in Japan and how Wendy Wu Tours<\/a> can help you get there.<\/p>\n

When do the cherry blossoms flower?<\/h2>\n

The flowering season differs slightly from year-to-year, depending on the weather during the preceding months. If it has been very cold, they may open earlier. Geographical location also determines where the trees will bloom first. Usually, the milder the climate, the earlier in the season the blossoms will open. In the major tourist cities, such as Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, the cherry blossom season typically begins at the end of March to early April. Further afield, on the warmer islands of Okinawa, cherry blossoms sometimes open as early as January, while on the cooler north island of Hokkaido, they can bloom as late as May.<\/p>\n