Japan’s Pink Heaven – the Cherry Blossoms

Japan is a beautiful country with lots of wonderful tourist spots. But the main attraction for tourists is its cherry blossoms. The country is full of mind-blowing cherry blossoms in spring. And visiting this land during this season is an unforgettable experience. While these blossoms make you experience a never-before colorful vista, they are equally unpredictable. They (Higan zakura) usually start blooming in Okinawa around January, while Somei yoshino blossoms bloom in Honshu region from late March to April. On the other hand, May is the season for reaching their peak in Hokkaido. Therefore, planning a trip according to the opening dates of cherry blossoms is really difficult. In such a scenario, Japan tour packages offered by E*TravelConnect are extremely helpful because they offer you a wide choice. This is a one-stop portal where you can compare departure dates, itineraries and prices of tour packages of various travel companies and find one that suits you the best.

Japanese Cherry Blossom Season 2014

The most iconic season of Japan, the cherry blossom season, has already arrived. Hanami, flower-viewing groups of families, friends and co-workers embark upon enjoying clouds of pink petals that slowly move north.

The real enjoyment is walking under the blossoms at night, so make sure you do that. Night-time viewing of the blossoms is called Yozakura. You, yourself, have to see the difference of viewing between daytime and nighttime, and you will realize it, so never miss it!

Tokyo

The most popular cherry-blossom viewing spots in the capital are centrally located and close to public transit. They are:

Shinjuku Gyoen Park – This Park has 1,300 cherry trees, the highest in the city proper! Shinjuku Gyoen Park is famous for its big, formal Japanese garden. Alcoholic beverages are banned in the park, so unlike Ueno Park, the crowd doesn’t go crazy.

Ueno Park – Ueno Park has 1,000 cherry trees and if you love a rowdy, crazy atmosphere, you will love Ueno. If not, you better explore some other quiet hanami spot, or come early in the morning.

Chidorigafuchi – With 1,000 trees this is the most popular hanami areas of the city. Trees droop low over the moat creating some of the most photographic moments. You can also rent a row boat to get closer to the pink angels.

Other major hanami destinations of Tokyo are Sumida Riverfront, Yoyogi Park, Meguro River, Yasukuni Shrine, and many more. A special mention of the Sky Tree in the Sumida Riverside Park is essential which is dimly lit at night and you can reach the 350-meter high viewing platform on the top by an elevator, and take an unforgettable view of the pink glow spread over the city!

Kyoto

Arashiyama – Arashiyama has been famous for its autumn colors and has been praised in numerous Japanese poems. Now that cherry trees have been replanted here, it has also become famous for the cherry blossoms. The pink blossoms cover the area profusely from Togetsu-kyo Bridge up to Arashiyama-Nakanoshima Park, Kameyama Park behind the Tenryu-ji Temple and the bank of O-i-gawa River. To take a walk along the road along Katsura-gawa is amazing because of a tunnel formed by the blossoms. Tenryu-ji Temple’s weeping cherry trees are must-visit too.

Daigo-ji Temple – The precincts of Daigo-ji Temple is spread in 660 hectares covering Mt. Daigo and is a World Cultural Heritage Site. It has marvelous weeping trees, with a waterfall and an island enhancing the splendid view. Atop the mountain there is Kaizan-do Hall which offers awesome views.

Maruyama Park & Philosopher’s Path – Maruyama Park is the oldest in Kyoto and is famous for huge weeping trees. The Philosopher’s Path is the walkway from Ginkaku-ji Temple to Wakaoji-jinja Shrine. It gives an amazing view of the blossoms from Lake Biwa-ko on both sides of the path. There are historic monuments across the path, like Ginkaku-ji Temple, Eikan-do Temple and Honen-in Shrine which add an interesting aura to the pink atmosphere.

Other never-to-miss cherry blossom destinations are Goryokaku Fort Park in Hokkaido, Mt. Yoshino and Nara Park in Nara, Hirosaki Castle Park in Aomori, Kakunodate in Akita, Nagoya Castle in Aichi, Senkoji Park in Hiroshima and many more.

So, what are you waiting for? Book your tour today and get ready to enter a pink heaven in a wonderland called Japan!