The late-blooming cherry blossoms are early this year. No surprises, given how early the Somei Yoshino (main) variety were. The term ‘yaezakura’ is used in Japanese as a collective term for several varieties of the beautiful fluffy late blooming cherry blossoms that have more than 5 petals. They are mostRead More →
The Somei Yoshino variety have well and truly finished, but right now some of my favourites are in bloom. Its no secret that yaezakura are my favourite cherry blossom variety, but I also really adore the Gyoiko (Gyoikou ギョイコウ). They are a really special, magical, cherry blossom that changes colorRead More →
During the cherry blossom season, Japan Mint open their grounds to the general public for cherry blossom viewing. Their main premises in Osaka is renowned for its cherry blossom lane, but did you know that since 2016 the Saitama branch also has some beautiful cherry blossoms? Moreover, many of themRead More →
A little known Yokohama Hizakura (aka Yokohama Scarlet Cherry Blossom) spot in Higashimatsuyama City, Saitama Prefecture. Yokohama Hizakura / Scarlet Cherry Blossoms Yokohama Hizakura are a type of bright pink cherry blossom tree often called Yokohama Scarlet (or Red) Cherry Blossom in English. They are named for the city ofRead More →
Information for the Fukaya Sakura Matsuri and Karasawa River Cherry Blossoms light up in 2023. Karasawa River Cherry Blossoms The Fukaya Sakura Matsuri, Cherry Blossom Festival, celebrates a tunnel of cherry blossoms along the Karasawa River. It is held at and around Takinomiya Shrine, near Fukaya Station. However, there areRead More →
Each year after the Kawazuzakura and before the Somei Yoshino bloom, the striking Jindai Akebono variety showcase their beautiful pale pink petals. For several years, I have visited a secret spot in Kumagaya for Jindai Akebono. When I say “secret”, it wasn’t that I was keeping them secret, but thatRead More →
Information for the Soka Cherry Blossoms / The 35th annual Soka Cherry Blossom Festival. In both 2020 and 2021 the Soka Cherry Blossom Festival was cancelled on account of the pandemic. In 2022, it was on for the first time in three years, but without festival stalls. This year, 2023,Read More →
An Air Base Cherry Blossom Festival in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Between 2020 and 2022 the cherry blossom festival at Kumagaya Air base was cancelled on account of the pandemic. However, they actually set a date for the 2022 cherry blossom festival. They announced it really early on too, in theRead More →
Cherry Blossoms and boat ride, Shingashi River – Kawagoe is just 31 minutes from Ikebukuro, Tokyo, on the Tobu Tojo line. It is a popular tourist town. One of Kawagoe’s most spectacular spots to enjoy “sakura” is out the back of Hikawa shrine, where the cherry blossoms line the Shingashi River. UntilRead More →
For the first time in four years, Hanno will host their popular spring, aka cherry blossom, festival in 2023. Within Hanno, Hanno Central park and the area around Mt Tenran are particularly well known for their beautiful sakura trees. The festival is on in the former: Hanno Central Park. InRead More →