Cherry blossoms mark the annual advent of spring, and the Japanese have traditionally celebrated this with “hanami”. Hanami, literally meaning flower-viewing, are parties that are held under blossoming cherry tress. Throughout Japan, in parks, shrines, temples, and on river banks, crowds flock to picnic under the sea of pink blossoms. Many popular spots are illuminated in the evenings and special facilities are laid out for the visiting hoards.
The cherry blossom, or sakura, is Japan's unofficial national flower and there are many dozens of different cherry tree varieties in Japan. However, the cherry blossom season is relatively short and most varieties of cherry tree only blossom for a few weeks at most in spring. From late March to early April, sakura go into full bloom all over Japan. The blossom forecast ("sakurazensen") is announced each year by the Japanese Meteorological Agency .As the full-bloom period is short, the announcements are waited on by the media and all eager party planners.
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Kikko Park
Iwakuni, Yamaguchi
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The brightest period is between the end of March and the beginning of April.
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The five fabulous arches of Kintaikyo Bridge, known to be the symbol of castle town Iwakuni for nearly 300 years, has been built without a single nail and is referred to as one of the Three Amazing Bridges of Japan. 3,000 cherry trees are planted around the bridge and the magnificent blossoms are lit up at night.
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Senkoji Park
Onomichi city, Hiroshima
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The brightest period is between the end of March and the middle of April.
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Senko-ji Park extending from the summit down to the side of Mt.Senko-ji 136.9m high. Selected as one of Japan's 100 beauty spots noted for cherry blossom, this park is filled with about 10 thousand blooming cherry trees in spring.
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Kimidera Temple
Wakayama city, Wakayama
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The brightest period is between the end of March and the beginning of April.
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Kimiidera Temple is located half-way up Mt. Nagusa. It is famous for having the earliest blooming cherry blossoms in the Kansai Region.
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Mt.Yoshino
Yoshino-gun, Nara
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The brightest period is between the end of March and the beginning of April.
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Mt. Yoshino, of the Omine mountain range, is covered by about 30,000 cherry trees and is famous for its picturesque cherry blossoms in the spring. Deep v-shaped valleys, formed by currents from the Kumano river, make a spectacular view.
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Himeji castle
Himeji city, Hyogo
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The brightest period is between the end of March and the beginning of April.
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The white walls of a famous castle and cherry blossoms are the very things that you will see here. Cherry blossoms in full bloom are set off by the white walls of "World Cultural Heritage" Himeji Castle.There couldn't be a more perfect combination. In Himeji Castle Park (San no Maru Hiroba) the cherry trees number close to 2000.
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Zoheikyoku (mint)
Osaka city, Osaka
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The brightest period is between the end of March and the beginning of April.
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There are various kinds about 370 sakura trees in the grounds of Japan Mint Osaka Head office. The cherry blossom lane from the north gate to the south gate is open to the public for a week when the flowers are in full bloom. The event is called "zoheikyoku sakura notorinuke" and is the most popular cherry blossom viewing in osaka.
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Daigoji Temple
Kyoto city, Kyoto
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The brightest period is between the end of March and the beginning of April.
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Daigoji Temple is well known for cherry blossoms. In 1598, Hideyoshi Toyotomi held a hana-mi party here. It is remembered as the most luxurious one.
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Neodani / Usuzumi Park Motosu city, Gifu
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The brightest period is between the beginning of April and the middle of April.
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One of the three most famous Cherry Trees in Japan. Nominated as a Natural Monument by the Department of the Interior in 1922, Usuzumi-zakura is said to be one of the best Cherry Trees among over 300 varieties.
Usuzumi means pale ink color.
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Suzakura Shrine
Nagano city, Nagano
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The brightest period is between the middle of April and the end of April.
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The height of this tree is 12m, the circumference is 11m,and the kind of cherry tree is "Edohigan". It is specified as the natural monument of the country.
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Yamataka Jindai
Jisshoji Temple
Kitakoma-gun, Yamanashi
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The brightest period is between the beginning of April and the end of April
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This is the oldest Cherry Tree in Japan (about 1,800 years old) and one of the three most famous Cherry Trees in Japan. Its reaches to 11 meters around the bottom of the trunk. In 1921, this Cherry Tree was reserved as National Natural Monument.
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Kenrokuen Garden
Kanazawa city, Kanazawa.
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The brightest period is between the beginning of April and the end of April
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This large stroll-type landscape garden covering about 100,000 square meters (24.7 acres) has Kasumigaike Pond at its center, and various hills, streams, smaller ponds and falls around it provide great variety. Stone lanterns and stone bridges grace the garden. 400 cherry trees of 40 species come into full bloom in April.
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Kakunodate,
Senboku city, Akita
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The brightest period is between the beginning of April and the end of April
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The view of the big weeping cherry trees all standing in a line on both side of the road is just a grand sight.
Moreover, the row of cherry trees on the Hinokinai- River' banks are also worthy of a look.
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Shinjuku gyoen
Shinjuku,Tokyo
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The brightest period is between the end of March and the middle of April.
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In Shinjuku Gyoen, we can enjoy cherry blossoms
from the middle of February to the end of April every year.
The blooming period depends on the species, we can enjoy various kinds of cherry blossoms for quite long term.
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Hirosaki Park
Hirosaki, city, Aomori
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The brightest period is between the end of April and the beginning of May.
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There are about 5000 cherry trees of many different kinds, such as various weeping cherry trees. The cherry blossoms are especially beautiful at night,so it's better to stay there for at least a night.
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SAKURA(CHERRY BLOSSOMS)Flower Festival
Planning & Estimating