Sakura: Beauty of Japan

"What a strange thing
to be alive
beneath cherry blossom."
This is one of the famous Japanese poet Kobayashi Issa's poetry about cherry blossom.

My first spring in Japan was 2016 and these photos were taken while cherry blossom in Tokyo. Thousands of cherry trees offer an eye-catching view and show the beauty of nature. Cherry blossom enhances the beauty of spring by creating pinkish breathtaking sceneries everywhere in the city of Tokyo. 

The Japanese cherry blossom or Sakura in Japanese is cherished by people all over the world. This cherry blossom culture goes back a long way. Japanese people are eagerly waiting for spring to enjoy cherry blossom.It is really good for people to relax underneath cherry trees.

The Japanese tradition of enjoying the beauty of cherry blossom is called 'Hanami' (花見).The meaning of these two characters is flower viewing or watching. Cherry blossom symbolizes the life, death, and renewal.

Usually, cherry blossom starts from the end of the March to early May during spring.The most beautiful combinations of cherry blossom are with castles, shrines or riverbanks which are lit up and make magnificent views. In this season the city is really crowded and all the parks around the city filled with locals and tourists. Most of the people are busy with taking pictures, riding boats in rivers and having picnics, parties while drinking under trees.

In some parks, cherry trees are lit up with lanterns after sunset. It is also a stunning view in cherry blossom.

The most impressive part of the cherry blossom is not only blooming sakura but also falling sakura petals on the ground. It makes gorgeous sakura carpet landscape along streets.

                      
Japan forecasts cherry blossom in region-wise each year. If someone hopes to visit Japan I recommend the best time is during sakura viewing season.

Cherry blossom forecast 2018. Here is a link;
https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/japan-cherry-blossom-forecast