Hanami is Here!
In Japan, with the arrival of spring comes the much anticipated cherry blossom (sakura) season. All around the country, cherry trees showcase a profusion of flowers in a dazzling array of pinks.
It takes around a week to ten days for full bloom and starts depending on the region. In Tokyo, it started on March 14 but in other parts of the country, such as Sapporo and Kushiro, it’s yet to start in late April and early May. You can find more information about the 2021 sakura blooming forecast from the Japan Weather Association site.
Hanami, or flower viewing, is a celebratory event when people visit parks and gardens to have a picnic or gathering beneath the breathtaking sakura trees in full bloom. Shinjuku Gyoen, which is just a few minutes’ walk from KCP, has over a thousand cherry trees of different varieties. It’s one of the best places in Japan to hang out and relax under the gorgeous blooms.