Disappointing Travel Destination: Sakura bloom Japan | Each year the Japanese Weather Association’s annual cherry blossom forecast prompts a rush of international bookings as travelers race to experience the country’s famed Sakura blooms. This annual ritual is called Hanami. Meaning: Stop to view and appreciate the beautiful spring blossoms. Most commonly it’s cherry trees appreciated. Hanami gives Japanese a chance to recognize and reflect on the beauty of nature while welcoming the new season. Japan’s highly urbanized population desperately needs this kind of recognition of nature. 94% of all Japanese live in cities that have more skyscrapers than trees.
Nobody outside Japan really gave Hanami a serious thought until the internet changed our way of life. Apart from watching cats, naked women and photos of food, tourist selfies became a vital part of our daily dose of online entertainment. Sakura and Mt. Fuji pretty much sum up Japan for an unprepared tourist. And the ugly side of a perfect tourist selfie at Hanami: Tourists shake, kick and climb trees to create ‘pink rain’ for photographs or video clips. We recommend: Don’t fly to Japan for Sakura. Instead enjoy your own cherry tree blossoming at home.
Those of you laughing at us now and waving with a ticket to Tokyo: the cherry blossom usually starts on the island of Okinawa in January, then works its way up the archipelago until it hits Hokkaido in early May. Sakura blossom peak in Tokyo is in the very beginning of April. But these are rough estimates. Sometimes the weather has different ideas.
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Disappointing travel destination sakura bloom Japan. By Chili and Churp | © International Destinations | Header image by Tyoron2 – cherry blossoms at Tokyo Imperial Palace. Wikipedia Public Domain. More Travel News here.