Love traveling and photography? This may be the time to plan a trip to Japan and visit the country in the next few weeks. The country’s much-awaited Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled to take place during the spring season and will see tourists from all over the world gather for the pink showers in late March. Every year, this event is held across Japan in cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Fukushima, showcasing the beauty of the blooming flowers. To admire it, people participate in hanami (the traditional Japanese custom of viewing cherry blossoms) by hosting picnics under the trees, holding special tea ceremonies, wandering through markets, and enjoying pink-themed food and drinks. . Here’s what you need to know to experience the joy this spring.
increase in passengers
According to Kundan Jha, CEO, Tokyo Travel Bureau, Connaught Place, Delhi, a large number of Indians have a new love for Japan, especially for its postcard-beautiful Cherry Blossom Festival. “Over the past few years, the number of Indian travelers visiting the festival has increased, growing by 10-15% every year. Planning starts from October itself as hotels can be expensive. We mostly see family groups and a few couples who choose to have pre-wedding shoots there,” he says. The festival has also emerged as an Instagram-worthy destination, with many influencers recently adding it to their bucket lists. “We get a lot of questions,” says Jha.
A cheap cherry blossom?
Although being in Japan during the blooming period is dreamy, travelers often find South Korea less expensive for the festival. “We have also seen an increase in people’s interest in going to South Korea because it is cheaper,” shares Venita Rawat, founder and director, Amazing Vacations, Mumbai.
But the best part of seeing cherry blossoms in Japan is the festival period.
“The main thing is that this festival is the longest – starting in Kyoto in late March and then in full bloom in Tokyo by the first week of April. It also marks the beginning of spring, so the weather is pleasant. While Japanese culture is very interesting to people, the cherry blossom festival also marks the beginning of spring, so the weather is beautiful during this time. Rawat further said, we have also called groups of women to travel there, wear kimono and other traditional attire and take photographs.
beautiful flowers are on the menu
Along with fun, food and drink also. In many cafes and restaurants throughout Japan, you can find traditional dishes such as pink taiyaki (Japanese fish-shaped cakes), dengo (rice flour dumplings), sakura-themed salads.
Sakura mochi (ground rice cake), mousse and drinks such as spring blossom cocktail and tea are also popular.
Cherry blossoms, but make it Indian
India has its own Cherry Blossom Festival in Shillong, Meghalaya. Karan Chawla, founder and CEO of Jokota Discoveries, says more can be done to popularize it. “The state tourism department needs to step up promotions in collaboration with local tour operators. There are music festivals all over the Northeast of India which are quite popular. Perhaps an alliance with them could help. Many people consider states as the only pillars. So, it makes sense to ride on the popularity of a music festival in Arunachal Pradesh to promote something like the Cherry Blossom Festival in Shillong,” he suggests.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit Japan for Cherry Blossom Festival: Late March to early April (peak bloom).
what is this about
Sakura or cherry blossom, the national flower of Japan, represents a new beginning. It is said that Japan has more than 600 types of trees in different shades of pink throughout the country, which offer picturesque views.
On Budget?
One can stay in a ryokan (Japanese inn) or capsule hotel to get the classic Japanese experience.
