Sakura is a wild cherry tree that is the national symbol of Japan. The flowering of this tree causes delight and a storm of emotions. Delicate pink inflorescences that generously sprinkle the branches fascinate and inspire, and pleasant aroma gives peace and tranquility.

In Japan, there is even a tradition called Hanami, according to which people go outside specifically to admire the Japanese cherry blossoms during flowering. This holiday originated in the 8th century.

Aristocrats, as a demonstration of graceful manners, were long time under the branches of a Japanese cherry tree, playing different games, drinking delicious drinks and writing poems. Today Hanami is not a public holiday, but during the working day all employees leave their offices and go outside.

The Japanese have picnics, hold entertainment events in parks and simply take pictures with this background magnificent plant at the moment of its flowering. Such a holiday can last for several days in a row, although the flowering of the trees itself lasts no more than 10 days.

The image of sakura is found on many products in the land of the rising sun - on dishes, kimonos, stationery and other household items.

They often sing about this tree in their songs, describe its beauty in poems and show it in films. The Japanese love for flowering plant was transmitted to other inhabitants of the planet.

The beauty of the sakura tree can be appreciated from the photos below:

Photo gallery

It is possible that this particular tree became a symbol of Japan due to the fleeting nature of its flowering. Samurai considered sakura a symbol of perseverance and purity; they often left hieroglyphs on the trunks in which they praised the sun, nature and the gods. In addition, since ancient times, many poets wrote their poems under this tree, because it was believed that all people standing under the branches of sakura were covered with a divine aura. The principles of Japanese culture are based on aesthetic beauty and grace, which can only be matched by the Japanese cherry blossom plant. Sometimes the Japanese compare the picturesqueness and imminent death of the flowers of this plant with human death. For this reason, it is believed that Japanese cherry blossoms - sakura - are the guardians of souls.

Hanami: Sakura tree during flowering (with photos and video)

Surely everyone has heard that the Japanese call admiring flowers Hanami, but the Japanese did not immediately admire sakura. According to legend, in the years 710-790, the inhabitants of Japan focused their attention on ume plum trees imported from China. The flowering of this tree caused delight and tenderness; if someone had such a plant growing in their yard, then it was considered an indicator of prosperity. But since the 800s, the ruling emperor decided to perpetuate the cherry tree that grew on the islands of Japan. Thus, the Japanese decided to find national identity rather than follow Chinese culture. To encourage Hanami, Tokugawa Yoshimune began planting sakura. Soon the Japanese noticed how beautiful their native tree became in the spring, when the blossoming flowers acquired an unusual color from bright pink to white.

From that moment on, the word "flowers" in Japan meant cherry blossoms. They soon became a favorite subject for artists and a favorite word for poets. It was even believed that pollen from Japanese cherry blossoms that gets into sake gives the person who drinks it strength, courage and health.

You can see what sakura flowers look like in the photo:

Photo gallery

Today, the Japanese do not stop worshiping their sacred tree. Boutiques, shopping centers and grocery stores are decorated plastic flowers Japanese cherry. During the flowering season, special foods and drinks appear on the shelves, such as “sakura cha” and “sakura mochi”. The first is tea, to which slightly salted sakura petals are added, and the second is rice cakes made from sweet sakura fruits. In addition, in the spring you can buy a special picnic box “hanami bento”, which contains all kinds of snacks, desserts and drinks for the Hanami celebration.

The celebration itself proceeds very in an interesting way. The fact is that high tech in Japan they saturate all spheres of human life. Residents of this country work long and hard, are constantly in a hurry and rarely enjoy life. Only Japanese cherry blossoms make people stop for a moment and enjoy this extraordinary spectacle. April is a breath of fresh air for the Japanese after annual reports.

One of the most famous Khanamis was held in 1598. After warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi gained control of all of Japan, he decided to celebrate by gathering 1,300 people at Daigo Shrine. This event has been described many times in poems and theater plays. A little later, in the years 1650-1800, new seedlings were actively imported into the country to decorate the political center - the city of Edo. At this time, new varieties of Japanese sakura are developed, and Hanami gradually becomes a Japanese tradition.

Modern tradition allows residents of Japan to admire sakura not only during the day, but also in the evening. On radio, television and in social networks broadcast about the time of the beginning of flowering throughout the country so that people do not miss the celebration. The official countdown for the beginning of Hanami is the blooming of the first flowers on a tree that grows in the Yasukuni Shrine, located in Tokyo.

Entire festivals are held in many regions of Japan. Parks are decorated with paper lanterns, and vendors with sweets, children's toys, and Japanese items appear on the streets. traditional dishes, and tea ceremonies are held under the trees. When the sun sets, the lights turn on in the parks and streets, making the blooms take on a fabulous look.

You can see how the sakura tree blooms by watching the video below:

Japanese parks where sakura grows

Spring comes to Japan not when the buds begin to open, but when the streets become like lush garden delicate pink and white flowers. Beginning in late March, a wave of Japanese cherry blossoms covers the south of Kyushu, covers the capital Tokyo in April, and reaches Hokkaido in May. Therefore, to the question: “Where does sakura grow?” in Japan they answer: “Everywhere.” The largest concentrations of these trees are observed in Shinjuku-Gyoen, Uen and Mitsuike parks. There are more than 1000 seedlings here. Over 100 trees can be seen in Tokyo in Kitanomaru and Sumida parks, as well as near the historical Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji temples in Kyoto. It also grows in Sankei-en Landscape Park, Osaka Mint, Danzakura Alley and many other places throughout the islands of Japan.

Cherry blossoms are especially beautiful around castles and sanctuaries. An amazing sight is obtained if the trees are illuminated.

Check out these pretty photos of magical cherry blossoms in Japanese parks:

Photo gallery

Three places are the most famous and visited in Japan during the Hanami celebration. First of all, this is a national park in Tokyo. There are about 1,500 plants and 75 types of sakura here. The festival brings together hundreds of people who enjoy a picnic under the branches of a beautiful flowering tree. The second most popular place in Tokyo is Ueno City Park, with an area of ​​over 625 sq.m. There are 1,100 wild cherry trees here, and Hanami is held mainly in early April. Sumida Park is the third famous place that is famous for its unique lighting.

In addition, there are many more places where wild sakura grows. For example, the trees in Takato Park are distinguished by their height, many of which are over 100 years old. The city of Hirosaki has collected 2,600 trees in its park that grow around the majestic ancient castle. In the city of Tsuyama, on the ruins of a Japanese castle among beautiful cherries, various tea ceremonies and musical performances are held during the Hanami celebration. Famous for its pink from the cherry blossoms to Matsuyami Castle in the city of the same name in Hokkaido province.

The date of Hanami changes every year, so you need to carefully follow the media to attend this holiday.

What sakura looks like: description and features of Japanese cherry species

Due to its aesthetic beauty this plant has gained popularity in many European countries. Although sakura is a Japanese cherry tree, this tree is increasingly found on the streets of European countries. It is difficult to confuse the plant with any other species, as it has a distinctive feature - an incredible color.

In botany, it belongs to the Rosaceae family. It's growing wild tree mainly in the Himalayas, but also found in Transcarpathia, Moldova, and the Krasnodar Territory. The description of a typical sakura tree depends on the species it belongs to. There are finely serrated, short-bristled, Sakhalin and ferruginous cherries.

Most varieties belong to the first type. Small-serrated cherry grows up to 15 m in height and has larger leaves. In autumn they turn a beautiful purple color and make all passers-by admire them. The flower of such a tree is quite large in shape - it reaches 5 cm in diameter. The brush usually contains 7-9 flowers of double white or pink shade.

The short-bristle cherry usually does not grow more than 10 m, and its inflorescence contains only 2-3 leaves with a diameter of 2 cm. They have a delicate pink color and appear on the tree even before the leaves appear.

Sakhalin cherry has the most spreading crown and has a height of up to 12 m. Distinctive feature This tree is the color of its leaves, which turn red in the spring and dark burgundy in the fall.

The leaves of such sakura can be seen in the photo:

Photo gallery

Flowers with a diameter of up to 3 cm are initially light pink, and as they fall out they acquire a rich white color.

Ferruginous cherry is a shrub that has a height of 1-1.5 m. The flowers have a pleasant velvety texture and are both white and pink in color.

Any Japanese cherry tree makes your heart skip a beat when you admire its blossoms. It has a huge number of pleasant inflorescences delicate color with an unsurpassed aroma.

Look at the photo to see how the sakura matches its description:

Photo gallery

Heat-loving and frost-resistant varieties of Japanese sakura

The Japanese love for their symbol made it possible to admire more than one variety of cherry. Very often, many people attribute certain types of peaches, bird cherry, cherry and plum to sakura, which have long been united in one genus called Prunus. But later it turned out that cherries have a clear difference. Most sakura are serrated cherries. There are four types of wild cherry trees in total, and all modern varieties were created by crossing them.

Probably the most beautiful variety is Kwanzan. This is an upright tree with a funnel-shaped crown. The flower contains many petals of intense purple color (about 30), so this cherry is considered a profusely flowering variety. This heat-loving tree reaches a height of no more than 10 m, and can be up to 8 m in diameter. The leaves are quite large and reach 10 cm, and have a glossy green color. Kwanzan fruits are slightly smaller than regular cherries, but no less tasty. The only negative of this variety is its fragility.

The Kiku Shidar variety can often be heard under the name “weeping cherry”. The height of such sakura reaches only 5 m, and its diameter can be up to 4 m. The leaves resemble the shape of an ellipse and are green in color. The branches hang down in an arc, and the crown itself is irregular and looks like a funnel. Sakura flowers of this type grow very densely, located along the entire branch to the very bottom. The fruits of such Japanese sakura have small size and slight sourness in taste.

An equally famous variety is Shiritai. Oddly enough, the birthplace of this cherry is England. Many consider it to be a representative of a typical village cherry, typical plant reaches a height of no more than 4 m.

The variety Shiro-Fügen attracts with its double, rich white flowers. Its height reaches 10 m, and the color of the inflorescences gradually acquires a delicate pink tint.

The delicate white color is also characteristic of the Tau Haku variety, which was discovered in England only at the end of the 20th century.

You can see in the photo White color sakura plants:

Photo gallery

The Kikishidare tree has a very beautiful flower color, which grows up to 5 m in height. But its main disadvantage is its inability to withstand frost.

No less popular is the Amanogawa variety, which is unlike other varieties of sakura. The fact is that this tree reaches 8 m in height, but its width is only about 1 m. The flowers have a divine aroma and cover the branches very thickly.

A very unusual variety is Hali Tolivet, which has a spherical crown. The diameter of its pink inflorescences reaches 4 cm.

The frost-resistant varieties include the following varieties of Japanese sakura:

Kwanzan.

Kiku Shidar.

Hali Tolivet.

Each variety is beautiful in its own way; you can admire the blossoms of these trees for hours, inhaling their divine aroma.

You can see all four types of sakura in the photo and see how they correspond to their names:

Photo gallery

Sakura-no-mi or sakurambo: fruits of the sakura plant and their photos

In addition to the beautiful pink blooms and stunning colors that sakura leaves can shimmer with, it has enough delicious fruits. Although many still consider Japanese cherries to be exclusively ornamental plant. In addition to aesthetic pleasure, this tree produces small but quite tasty berries.

The fruits of Japanese sakura are called sakura-no-mi. Due to the fact that the berries do not have a sweet enough taste, they are most often eaten together with marinade. Wine made from Japanese cherry fruits is no less tasty. In addition, they are often added as a seasoning to rice.

Sakura fruits are clearly visible in the photo:

Photo gallery

There is another name - sakurambo, but this plant has nothing to do with the Japanese symbol, it is rather a commercial move. The trick is that enterprising people brought varieties of ordinary cherries to Japan, which are exported as true Japanese cherry berries.

However, other parts of the cherry tree are also used in food. Very often, Japanese sweets are wrapped in the leaves of a real sakura tree. In addition, there are fans of pickled leaves; their salty-sweet or sour flavor goes well with rice.

Which sakura tree should I plant in my yard?

Today, everyone can independently choose which Japanese cherry tree to plant in their yard. This plant is gaining more and more popularity every year, and therefore there will be no problems with its purchase. But depending on weather conditions, it is better to give preference to frost-resistant varieties.

Japanese cherry trees are most often propagated by seeds. The best time The year for planting will be summer, when it is warm enough outside, but not too hot. For this reason, some people plant cherry blossoms in early fall or late spring. It is very important that the tree receives optimal sunlight so that it does not get burned. Such a place should also be protected from strong winds. Ideal as a primer loamy soil. If the soil is heavy, you need to add a loosening agent to it, for example, treat it with manure, add sand or compost.

Japanese cherry trees can be propagated by seedlings, but to do this you need to pay attention to some factors:

• The plant is native to the northern islands of Japan, for example, Hokkaido;
• It is better to choose two-year-old seedlings with a height of 1 m;
• It is more prudent to buy seedlings after summer, when they no longer have leaves.

To understand which varieties of Japanese sakura are suitable for the region in which you plan to plant it, just carefully study the nursery catalogs. Most likely, it will be Sakhalin and finely serrated cherries. It is best to focus on the Amanogawa and Kanzan varieties, if we are talking about finely serrated cherries, buy Autumnalis, which is a short-bristled cherry, or choose the Alkolaid, Edwin Muller or Vul Murasaki varieties, if you want something from the Sakhalin cherry variety. Exactly latest variety is not afraid of severe frosts and has enough early flowering. Its big advantage is also its resistance to disease. It is better to decide on your preferred types of Japanese sakura when you see in person what sakura looks like. To do this, it is worth visiting nurseries.

Sakura care

Sakura does not require any special care, but the branches need to be trimmed more carefully. For example, young trees only need sanitary pruning.

The best prevention against gum development is:

• fertilizing - it is produced by organic or mineral fertilizers, as well as through the use of manure, humus, phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen;
• watering - it should be plentiful only during the ovary period;
• timely spraying against diseases; treatment is prohibited during flowering;
• tie the headquarters and cover the trunk with agrofibre until frost sets in.

Japan's national tree, sakura, is also grown by some for its fruit, but mostly the tree serves as a great way to enjoy the beauty of nature. Unfortunately, this tree blooms only once a year for no more than 10 days. Many tourists are ready to come to Japan for this spectacle, and there are people who are ready to go to great lengths to plant sakura near their home and every morning pamper themselves with the unsurpassed view of its white and pink color.

Look at the photo to see how magnificent the garden is during the Japanese cherry blossom season:

In Japan, there is a national tradition of admiring flowers, which is called "hanami". The timing of cherry blossoms in different areas of Japan is announced on television in advance and when the cherry blossoms bloom, people gather in parks where they have picnics admiring the beautiful pink and white flowers.

The Japanese poet Basho wrote:
"Under the crown of the tree
Here is the fish, here is the stew.
Cherry blossom."

In Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan, sakura blooms as early as January, in Tokyo and Kyoto - in late March-early April, and in the northern regions of Japan even later. Cherry blossoms last about a week. For Buddhists, of whom there are many in Japan, cherry blossoms are a symbol of the ephemeral nature of life.

Hanami continues at night: large and small lanterns are installed in parks, the light of which falls softly on the flowers:

Hanami is usually associated with admiring sakura flowers, but hanami also means admiring other flowers: Japanese plums (which bloom before sakura), lilies of the valley, sunflowers, carnations, cosmos, tulips.

Interesting facts about Japan and sakura:

In Japan, the academic and financial year begins in April, and often the first day of work or school for Japanese on the island of Honshu (Japan's largest island, where Tokyo is located) coincides with cherry blossom day.

During World War II, the Japanese planted sakura in occupied countries (China, Korea) as a sign that these territories were now part of Japan. In Korea, after the end of the war, many cherry trees were destroyed because they were associated with the Japanese occupation. Moreover, back in 1933, the Japanese scientist Koizumi Genichi stated that the birthplace of popular variety Japanese cherry blossoms are on the South Korean island of Jeju. As for China, the two most famous sakura parks in this country were planted by the Japanese during the years of occupation of China.

Another poem by Basho about sakura:
"Our two destinies
And they live between them
Sakura flowers!"

Hanami is a Japanese national tradition of flower viewing that originated in the imperial court. The courtiers spent hours under flowering trees, enjoying socializing, light drinks, parlor games and writing poetry.

In a short and brilliant flowering period spring flowers, plums and sakura, which lasts from 7 to 10 days, was seen as having a deep meaning in the Land of the Rising Sun. Falling flower petals were identified with the beauty and transience of life, with courage and purity of thoughts.

Admiring the cherry blossoms - O-Hanami

It's easy to admire cherry blossoms. Just enjoy the flowers on one tree or a whole group of them. From afar, trees look like clouds, and the beauty of individual flowers is revealed at close range.

Sakura in bloom looks especially beautiful in combination with castles, temples and shrines. In some places, the trees are illuminated in the evening, which creates an amazing spectacle.

O-Hanami traditionally includes not only a walk in the park, but also a picnic under flowering trees. The cherry blossom festival has been celebrated in Japan for many centuries, and today is celebrated in many public and private parks and gardens.

In especially popular parks, picnic areas are reserved in advance. A common practice in Japan is to lay out a mat early in the morning with the name of the group and the time they plan to occupy it, or one of the group stays there all day and waits until the others arrive.

Employees of companies specially set aside a day for admiring sakura, something like a corporate event. That is, on this day they go to work, but spend it in the park with their boss and co-workers, having a picnic with various goodies and alcoholic drinks. They even sing special songs composed on the occasion of Hanami.

Cherry blossom season in Japan in 2015

According to forecasts, cherry blossoms in Japan in 2015 are expected to begin around March 21 in Kyushu and March 26 in Tokyo and Kyoto. The flowers will fully open in about a week.

Below is a cherry blossom forecast based on data from the Japan Weather Association and japan-guide.com. Naturally, the forecast is only approximate, and weather changes can significantly affect the period of flower opening. Follow the news; already at the beginning of March, news in each individual area reports the timing of cherry blossoms, as well as the number of trees in each of the parks.

Location	Open season	The best period to observe flowering
Tokyo	26 March	from April 1 to April 9
Kyoto	26 March	from April 2 to April 10
Kagoshima	March 25	from April 1 to April 9
Kumamoto	21 March	from March 29 to April 6
Fukuoka	21 March	from March 28 to April 5
Hiroshima	March 25	from March 31 to April 8
Matsuyama	March 23	from March 29 to April 6
Takamatsu	26 March	from April 1 to April 9
Osaka	26 March	from April 2 to April 10
Nara	March 27	from April 2 to April 10
Nagoya	March 25	from April 1 to April 9
Yokohama	March 27	from April 2 to April 10
Kanazawa	April 3	from 7 to 15 April
Nagano	11 April	from 15 to 23 April
Fukushima	April 9	from 12 to 20 April
Sendai	12th of April	from 7 to 25 April
Aomori	April 24	from April 28 to May 6
Hakodate	May 2	from May 5 to May 12
Sapporo	5 May	from 7 to 14 May

The best places to admire cherry blossoms in Japan

Tokyo

Shinjuku-Gyoen

10 minutes walk from JR Shinjuku Station.
Entrance fee: 200 yen. Opening hours: from 9:00 to 16:30

In Shinjuku Gyoen Park there are more than a thousand cherry trees of over a dozen varieties, including numerous early and late flowering trees. There are large lawns for picnics in a tranquil atmosphere. This is a great place to admire the cherry blossoms, for those who really miss spring.

Ueno Park

A few steps from Ueno Station. Free admission

This is one of the most crowded, noisy and popular places in Japan for the cherry blossom festival. Ueno Park has more than 1,000 trees along the street leading to the National Museum and around Shinobatsu Pond. The cherry blossoms in this park usually open 1-3 days earlier than in other places in Tokyo.

Chidorigafuchi

Kudansita. Free admission

Hundreds of cherry trees line the moats of Edo Castle and Kitanomaru Park, creating one of the most amazing cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo. Here you can rent a rowing boat and enjoy an unforgettable boat trip.

Sumida Park

A few steps from Asakusa. Free admission

The park extends several hundred meters along the banks of the Sumida River overlooking TV tower Tokyo Sky Tree. You can also watch the cherry blossoms here from the water. The walk will be especially romantic in the evening, when the trees are specially illuminated.

Kyoto

Path of the Philosopher

Free admission.

Filosov's Path is a pleasant path to a canal that connects two amazing historical temple complexes: Ginkaku-ji Temple (Silver Pavilion) and Nanzen-ji Temple. More than 100 cherry trees grow here.

Maruyama Park

Near Yasaka Shrine. Free admission

Maruyama Park near Yasaka Shrine is Kyoto's most popular public park for cherry blossom viewing. Its central element is a big tree weeping sakura. The tables of many cafes are located under tree branches.

Heian Temple

Behind the main building of the temple. Admission: 600 yen. Opening hours: from 8:30 to 17:30

Behind the main building of the Heian Temple grows a large number of weeping cherry blossoms, which makes this place one of best places in Kyoto. These cherries reach full bloom a few days later than others, which will be of interest to tourists who miss the main flowering season.

Osaka

Kema Sakuranomiya Park

Sakuranomiya Station (JR Loop Line). Free admission.

More than 5,000 cherry trees are planted in the park along the Okawa River for several kilometers. This seemingly endless row of cherry trees can be viewed from the embankment or from a ship on the river. The park itself also has plenty of lawns for picnics under the trees.

Castle in Osaka

Castle park in Osaka. Admission is free (except Nishinomaru Garden).

As you approach Osaka Castle, more than 4,000 cherry trees are planted. A particularly good place for a picnic is Nishinomaru Park in the western part of the castle citadel, with wide lawns, views of the castle baths and illuminated trees in the evening.

Expo 70 Commemorative Park

Banpaku Kinen Koen Station.
Admission: 250 yen. Opening hours: from 9:30 to 17:00 (longer during the cherry blossom season).

The site of the 1970 Osaka World's Fair is now a large public park with over 5,000 cherry trees. The cherry blossoms are very beautifully illuminated in the evenings.

Japan Mint (Osaka Mint Bureau)

10 minutes walk from Temmabashi station.
Admission is free and open to the public for one week only.

More than 100 varieties of sakura grow in the park at the Osaka Mint. The cherries here bloom in mid-April, about a week later than the main flowering season. The courtyard is open to the public only during cherry blossom season.

Yokohama

Sankei-en Garden

10-25 minutes by bus from Negishi or Sakuragicho Station.
Admission: 500 yen. Opening hours: from 9:00 to 17:00 (entrance until 16:30).

Sankei-en is a classic landscape Japanese garden with a central pond. Here you can watch not only the blossoming of several hundred cherry trees, but also admire the historical architecture of Japan.

Mitsuike Park

Mitsuike Koen Kitamon Bus Stop (city bus No. 104 from Shin-Yokohama or TSURUMI Stations). Free admission.

Mitsuike Park is one of the TOP 100 best places to watch cherry blossoms in Japan. The park has three ponds surrounded by more than 1,000 cherry trees.

Kamakura

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

A short walk northeast of Kamakura Station.
Free admission.

Danzakura Alley, more than 500 meters on the approach to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Temple, is lined with cherry trees, creating one of the most spectacular “cherry blossom” tunnels in Japan.

Izu Peninsula

Kawazu village

The village is one of the most beautiful places in the Tokyo area to admire the cherry blossoms. Cherries here bloom, as a rule, in late February and early March, which attracts many tourists who miss spring.

Five Fuji Lakes

Northern shores of Kawaguchiko

15-25 minutes by retro bus from Kawaguchiko Station.

Amazing scenery awaits you on the northern shores of Lake Kawaguchiko. You will never forget the cherry blossoms, the smooth surface of the lake and the view of Mount Fuji. Best View you will be provided with early morning, it is at this time that the rays of the sun illuminate the area most beautifully.

Chureito Pagoda

15-20 minutes walk from Shimo-Yoshida Station
Free admission.

This pagoda is relatively recently built on the hills opposite Fuji. During the cherry blossom season, the pagoda seems to be surrounded by a sea of ​​flowers. Better lighting- early morning.

There are countless more places throughout Japan where viewing the cherry blossoms will leave you with an unforgettable experience. Numerous parks at castles, temples and sanctuaries where the centuries-old Hanami tradition is preserved.

As we said, stay tuned for more news. In Japan, the cherry blossom period is heavily covered in the media, so the opening dates of the flowers are announced in advance. And make sure to book your hotel on time before numerous tourists take up the available seats.

Centuries-old tradition of admiration blooming gardens Sakura was called "hanami". In fact, it is a national holiday in Japan.

Hanami time

Every Japanese prepares in advance for the Hanami celebration, ready to contemplate cherry blossoms all day long, and in gardens where there are lights all night long. Every year, during the cherry blossom season, the population moves from the southernmost regions to the north, trying to get into the wave of cherry blossoms. At this time, the population increases sharply due to foreign tourists who come to Japan from all continents with only one purpose - to admire cherry blossoms.

Primroses

Meteorologists in Japan issue daily bulletins reporting on the beginning of bush flowering throughout the country. The start of the Hanami holiday is considered to be the beginning of cherry blossoms in the southernmost prefecture - the island of Okinawa. Here the cherry blossoms begin to bloom in January. Further, the central areas where Tokyo and the ancient capital of Japan - Kyoto are located - become places of pilgrimage. In Kyoto, you can walk along the philosophical trail that connects the Ginka-ji and Nanzen-ji temples. The philosopher Nasida Kitara loved to walk along it. Hundreds of cherry trees are planted along the trail. Walking at the time of their flowering, perhaps Nasida Kitara was comprehending his.

The heart of the holiday

Gardens begin to bloom on the island of Kyushu earlier than in Tokyo. The island is famous for being home to a castle built in 1607 and called the Black Crow Castle. The entire area of ​​the castle is planted with thousands of sakura trees. At the time of their flowering, it is impossible to see the ancient walls of the castle, which are covered by the pink, airy, foamy mass of sakura flowers. Another favorite place for tourists is landscaped garden Suizen-ji, which has existed since 1632. In the middle of the garden there is a pond surrounded by 150 cherry trees various types, and in the center of the pond there is an island with an artificially placed hill, symbolizing the Fuji volcano.

Last chords

In May, cherry blossoms bloom in the northern prefectures of Hokkaido, where the famous torii are located - floating ritual gates in front of the entrance to the temple. The most famous Odori Park is located in Sapporo, the landscape design of which was developed by the famous Japanese architect Isanu Noguchi. For the creation of this park, he received the Grand Prix at the Good Dtsing architectural competition. Of course, you can appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of cherry blossoms by visiting Japan. Various things help you touch this miracle.

With the arrival of spring, Japan completely changes - the sacred period of flowering of the decorative Japanese cherry tree - sakura - begins. About a hundred trees are covered with white-pink or white flowers. A large number of people gather in squares, near palaces, parks, and temples to enjoy the excellent spectacle.

Sakura blossom Considered a very important event, the tradition of observing flowering trees is very ancient and universal.

Meteorologists already report on the approximate timing of cherry blossoms long before the season arrives, and all media outlets give forecasts about the blossoming of decorative cherries every day. The cherry blossom season officially begins in Shinjuku Park, where the imperial couple are present and many of the country's prominent government officials are also invited to attend.

In different climatic regions, therefore, the flowering of decorative cherries will not be simultaneous. Sacred sakura opens the season in the south, namely on the southern island of the country of Japan - Okinawa. Sakura trees begin to bloom closer to February. But on the northernmost island of the country - Hokkaido - trees can begin to bloom only with the arrival of summer time.

The beginning of cherry blossoms and its duration changes every year. It is generally accepted that in Sapporo the flowering season lasts from the twelfth of March to the twentieth of April, in Tokyo it blooms from the twenty-seventh of March to the seventh of April, the flowering period is considered to be from the fifth to the thirteenth of April, in the city of Kyoto - from the fourth to the sixteenth of April.

But it is worth saying that these are only approximate dates; a lot will depend on the weather. If it is cold, the flowering period will shift, and the first buds will bloom much later than the official date. If the weather is warm, without sudden changes in temperature, the flowers will bloom one week earlier than planned. It is generally accepted that the most beautiful trees grow in the most ancient capitals of Japan, for example: Kyoto, Nara, Kamakura. The most beautiful flowers are the colors of weeping sakura - an unusual soft pink color.

Sakura usually does not bloom for long. The most delicate flowers do not withstand strong weather changes, such as rain or gusts of wind - and unopened buds and flowers fall to the ground. IN good weather Sakura can remain in bloom for 2 to 7 days; in unfavorable weather, this period is literally 2-4 hours.