The fact that there is no hard date for the blooms makes planning your trip in advance very difficult. I’ve known many people who had hopes of seeing the precious petals who missed out by only a few days. Luckily, Tokyo is such a fantastic place that you really don’t feel down for too long. But, if you’ve arrived in time, then there are some absolutely magical places you MUST try to visit. Do all you can to take in all this short-lived season has to offer. Here are my favourite places to see the Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo!

Table Of Contents

1. Shinjuku Gyoen
2. Ueno Park
3. Chidorigafuchi Moat
4. Yoyogi Park
5. Inokashira Park
6. Koganei Park
7. Asukayama Park
8. Aoyama Cemetery
9. Sumida Park
10. Shiba Park
11. Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens
12. Rikugien Gardens
13. Yasukuni Shrine
14. Meguro River

Shinjuku Gyoen

I have an entire post dedicated to the wonder that is Shinjuku Gyoen. This incredible urban oasis located just 10 minutes from one of Tokyo’s busiest neighbourhoods. It is a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle. Unlike some of the other parks on this list, this park does require an admission fee of 500 yen. But seeing as it isn’t free, this means it will be slightly less crowded than the free parks. The park is also enormous. There are plenty of spots to spread out and have a hanami party. The park is also home to three different varieties of sakura trees. Each species blooms at different times in the spring. This means that if you arrive slightly too early or slightly too late, there might still be a few trees here that are blooming!

Ueno Park

Ueno Park is probably the most famous spot for cherry blossom park in all of Tokyo. Since the 16th century, people have been making a pilgrimage to Ueno to soak in the glory of the sakura. This enormous park is home to 800 cherry trees spread over 53 hectares of green space. This makes it an ideal place to set up your hanami party. But even with all that space, this park gets BUSY! If you want to ensure you get a spot on the grass, arrive as early as possible and avoid the weekends. On the plus side, Ueno Park is free to enter.

The park is famous for having some of the best onsite food stalls to delight your taste buds. A fantastic way to taste popular seasonal treats while sitting under the petals. Shinobazu Pond on the south-west end of the park is home to the iconic swan boats. You can rent one of these boats and peddle along the perimeter of the pond. This area is dotted with trees like a colourful pink ring encircling the water. And honestly, who can resist these adorable little paddle boats?

Chidorigafuchi Moat

Chidorigafuchi Moat is the image you might have in your mind who you picture sakura season in Tokyo. This is because this landscape often graces the cover of many a travel guide. It is such an impressive sight that it has become one of the most outsourced images of Japan.

The moat was initially designed to protect the internal grounds of the Imperial Palace during the Edo period. 1,000 cherry trees surround the canal. The branches seem to lean towards the water as if going to get a drink. The sakura trees along the moat are the earliest to bloom in the spring. And the delicate blossoms only open for only a short time. Catching them while they decorate the water is an exceptional sight to see. This area is so popular that it is even illuminated at night. This ensures people can enjoy the blooms no matter what time of day it is. Especially handy for workers who might not be able to see them during their busy day.

The Chidorigafuchi Moat offers another opportunity for getting out onto the water. You can rent rowboats for 700 yen and get a picture of the “sakura tunnel” from below.

Yoyogi Park

Located in the neighbourhood of Shibuy ais Yoyogi Park. Yoyogi Park is one of the largest parks in the city and home to those almost white-hued cherry blossom trees. This park is famous for the large groups it hosts. It isn’t as romantic as some of the other parks and has a more gregarious, party-type atmosphere. If this is your jam, then head over to the park and make some new friends. If you have a bottle of sake in your hand, this is sure way to win anyone over.

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Inokashira Park

It is essential to consider heading a little outside of Tokyo’s city center during cherry blossom season. The further away from the most touristy areas, the better chance you’ll have of having more space to yourself. One of my favourite neighbourhoods in Tokyo is Kichijoji. Inokashira Park is a gorgeous place to visit while you’re there to enjoy the cherry blossoms.

If you found the line for the boats at Chidorigafuchi too long, you can also rent one here. Take one of their colourful rowboats out on the water and paddle along the picturesque pond. From here you have such a beautiful view of the cherry trees. There are over 500 sakura trees spread throughout the large park, so it’s easy to walk around and find someplace a little less crowded than in the city center.

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Koganei Park

Further west of Kichijoji is Koganei Park. This park is about an hour outside the city but well worth the journey. Koganei Park is home to Tokyo’s most extensive collection of cherry trees! There are over 1,700 sakura trees and over a dozen different varieties as well! On the first weekend in April, a huge festival is held here. At the festival, you can enjoy traditional street food as well as traditional customary dancing and musical performances.

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Asukayama Park

Asukayama Park, located on the northern tip of Tokyo, and is a real hidden gem. The further you get away from the city, the more tourists you escape. Plus this area feels most local and less geared towards just tourists. The park here is notable for the colourful lanterns that hang in the trees, which perfectly match the pale pink sakura blossoms.

The center of the park is one of the most unique playgrounds I had ever seen! There was a train yard with old trains on display and a massive play castle in the center. All surrounded by those iconic blossoms. When you head out of the park, back to the city, see if the monorail is running. This track runs above the park and is one of the rarest opportunities to see the cherry trees from above.

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Aoyama Cemetery

While suggesting a cemetery to view beautiful cherry trees might seem like an odd combo to some, I find the mixture of death and beauty to be one of the most potent combinations. Located in Tokyo’s Minato Ward, this cemetery has lovely paved walkways lined in hundreds of sakura trees. Creating this blanket of flowers above your head. There is no picnicking or drinking is allowed here. Instead, let this place be an opportunity for a solemn walk of contemplation. Life is short, just like the bloom of the sakura. Live your life to the fullest while you can. And hope that you will have a resting place as beautiful as this, under the sakura trees, when the end finally comes your way.

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Sumida Park

In the heart of Asakusa, you’ll find the riverside Sumida Park. Located just off the banks of the Sumida river. From the park’s western side, you can get a shot of the iconic Tokyo Skytree, with a layer of sakura flowers flanked in front.

Since the area of picnicking here is relatively sparse it’s not the best option for a hanami party. And due to the location and popularity, it can get very crowded! My advice: plan to come here for a short photo opportunity and then head off to another location for a longer stay or picnic.

Shiba Park

South of Tokyo Skytee is his rival, Tokyo Tower. And surrounding the tower, you’ll find Shiba Park. Although it’s only home to around 200 cherry trees, the fact you can get a picture with the brightly blossoms in front of the Tokyo Tower’s neon orange structure is a fantastic photo opportunity. This park is actually really interesting and easy to explore. There are so many little treasures hidden in this small space.

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Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens

I am in love with the layout and landscaping of Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens. Like Shinjuku Gyoen, this park also requires an admission fee to enter. But just look what you get to experience for only 300 yen! The gardens were created in 1629, making it one of Tokyo’s oldest parks. One of the best parts of the natural playground is the many ponds dotted throughout. Each one creating a mirrored effect, reflecting the image of the cherry trees down, doubling their blossoms. No picnics are allowed in this park, which is the only real downside. But there are several tea houses in the park which offer macha tea and sweets to enjoy. All while under the watchful eye of the sakura trees.

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Rikugien Gardens

While Rikugien Gardens isn’t known for its sheer number of cherry trees, the one they do have is creature unlike any other. The 18th century Rikugien Gardens became home to the “weeping cherry blossom tree.” this famous plant grew to be over 20 meters wide and 15 meters tall! When it blooms, it looks like a waterfall of flowers cascading to the ground. At night it is illuminated, making the effect all the most impressive. The cost to enter the park is 300 yen and you’ll find it is more than worth the price!

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Yasukuni Shrine

Tucked away, on the edge of the Chiyoda neighbourhood, is the Yasukuni Shrine. The shrine was founded by Emperor Meiji in June 1869. It commemorated those who died in service of Japan in various wars throughout history. There are over 2,466,532 names listed on the shrine to whom it is dedicated. What is usually a reasonably sombre place but a rush of excitement and chatter flood the space come cherry blossom season.

A grouping of trees outside of the shrine light up the street. Vendors from the neighbourhood come down to feed the revellers. The bright white blossoms against the shrine’s copper roof and dark wood exterior make for the most complimentary combination and something not to be missed.

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Meguro River

Last, but certainly not least, is the Meguro River. This is maybe the most popular spot for taking photos of the iconic sakura trees. 800 cherry trees blossom along the edge of the river, a stretch of over 3 kilometres. One of the reasons I put this last is that although this place makes for a great photo, the areas on either side of the river are very narrow. It gets super crowded in the spring. And even though the area’s restaurants capitalize on the influx of people and set up food and drink stands, there really isn’t anywhere to easily enjoy eating anything. I think this place is a pop-in and pop-out type of stop and not one to plan your hanami around.

I’ve outline all the locations from this list in the map below so feel free to add these spots to your Springtime Tokyo travel plans. I really hope the blooms manage to coincide with your trip as catching them even for a moment is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post The 14 Best Scenic Spots to see Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

When we were visiting Tokyo during Cherry Blossom season, we had heard that this park was one of the best places to come to enjoy the last of the season. The sakura had bloomed early this year, and we were hoping we might be in luck to find some trees with a few petals still clinging to the buds when we arrived. Lucky for us the park is home to a variety of different sakura trees which are known to bloom throughout the spring.

Table Of Contents

1. Access
2. Hours and Admission
3. Accessibility
4. History
5. Design of the Gardens
6. French Formal Gardens
7. English Landscape Garden
8. Variety of Sakura Trees
9. Shinjuku Gyoen Throughout the Seasons
10. Greenhouse
11. Where to Eat?
12. Rakuu-tei

Access

The garden has three separate entrances around the park to make it easy to enter from various parts of the city. The largest gate (Shinjuku Gate) is located 10-minutes from the Shinjuku JR station or five minutes from Shinjukugyoenmae Station. The Okido Gate, is located farther east on the north side five minutes from Shinjukugyoenmae Station. There is one last gate (Sendagaya Gate) located on the south side. This gate is accessible from the nearby JR Sendagaya Station.

Hours and Admission

To enter this park, you do need to pay an admission fee. This means the park is much less crowded. Admission costs 500 yen. The gardens are open from 7:00 am if you come in from the Shinjuku Gate. The other two gates only allow access starting at 9:00 am. The park closes at 4:30 pm, with the last admission at 4:00 pm. The park is closed on Mondays for maintenance. During cherry blossom season and chrysanthemum festivals, the gardens remain open 7 days a week due to the overwhelming popularity.

Accessibility

If you require accessible access, exit through Shinjuku Station or Shinjukusanchome Station. These stations do not require walking up to any stairs or escalators. From there, head over to the Shinjuku Gate. Once you pass through the admission gate, you will be provided with a map in the language of your choice. The map is wonderfully clear in identifying wheelchair-friendly areas. Great effort was taken in ensuring the part is friendly for those with disabilities. There are various washrooms in the park which are accessible. The map also points out pathways which are easier to traverse in a wheelchair or any areas of difficult terrains (such as gravel or steeper slopes).

History

Initially, the park wasn’t owned by the city; it was private property. The shōgun bequeathed the land to Lord Naitō, who built a grand garden onto his palace in 1772. Over the years, the gardens passed hands, down from a private residence to an agriculture centre to a public botanical garden in 1879. The garden’s original layout was destroyed during the air raids of WWII. After the war, much effort was taken to restore and rebuilt the park back to its original design.

Design of the Gardens

The Shinjuku Gyoen garden is spread over 58.3 hectares! The gardens were designed in three distinct styles: French formal, English landscape and Japanese traditional. The Japanese Garden is decorated with a series of large reflecting ponds. Connecting the different areas of the garden across the pond are various large stones, gravel pathways and an iconic Japanese bridge.

You’ll find a large structure called the Kyu-Goryotei or the “old palace” in the center of the Japanese garden. This building is, oddly enough, designed in Chinese-style. This is because it was donated by the Japanese residents of Taiwan for the imperial wedding celebrations. Today, it a favourite place for photographs as you look out at the beautiful pond on the other side.

Take a closer look at the pond and see if you can spot some of the carp which are stocked in the water. Carp symbolizes the Japanese fighting spirit due to their hardy nature. You can also see if you can see any of the many turtles, sunbathing on the rocks around the pond.

French Formal Gardens

The Formal French Gardens are dominated by perfect beds of roses surrounded by the Avenue of Sycamore trees. Sycamore trees are native to central, eastern and southern Europe, having been introduced by the Romans. There are eight hundred feet of roses with varieties all originating outside of Japan.

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English Landscape Garden

The English Landscape Garden features this large open lawn surrounded by cherry blossom trees. This area is a favourite for children to run freely and play on the manicured grass.

There are over 20,000 trees to be found inside the park. You can spot tall Himalayan cedars, tulip trees, cypresses, as well as a stock of 1,700 tropical pants inside the greenhouse. Of the 20,000 trees found here, 1,500 of which are Japanese cherry blossom trees.

Variety of Sakura Trees

What makes this park a little different is that there are different varieties of cherry blossom trees. Some areas only have one kind which means there is only one opportunity to see the flowers. Having different species means the trees bloom at different times of the year. This ensures that people can enjoy the season in the park for a more extended period.

Weeping Cherry Tree

The Weeping Cherry tree is the first to bloom in early March. By far, these trees are the most dramatic. Their flowers delicately covering the long tendrils, reaching towards the the ground. 

Somei Cherry Trees

Then there are the Tokyo Cherry or Somei trees. These are most commonly found in Tokyo prefecture and start blooming in early April. This is the most popular species you’ll find all over the city. The variety has only five petals and is pale pink in colour. From afar these flowers almost appear to be white.

Kanzan Cherry Trees

The final kind of tree found in the park is the Kanzan Cherry trees. These are the last to bloom in late April. These are my favourite variety. They are known for their “double blossom.” There are as many as 50 petals on each of these flowers. They are a deep pink colour and have the most fantastic contrast against the bright blue sky. 

Shinjuku Gyoen Throughout the Seasons

Springtime

Springtime is the most popular time to visit the park as this is when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Since the park is so large though even at the busiest times, you never feel too overwhelmed. Bring your picnic blankets and relax here under the precious petals.

Summer

In the summertime, the garden blooms with hydrangeas, one of the most popular seasonal flowers. Also in the summertime, you can wander around the French garden which is covered in an efflorescence of blooming roses!

Fall

Outside of Sakura season, the most popular time to visit is during the park is during the chrysanthemum festival. This festival has been running since 1929 and is a very popular event for the locals. The festival usually runs for two weeks beginning in November, but it depends on the flowers’ blossoming time.

In the Autumn, all the trees change colour and create a magical sunset-toned wave across the sky. The most beautiful of which is the maple trees which have been planted here, which turn a deep autumnal red. The contrast of the red against the rest of the green tree is truly stunning.

Winter

Even in the wintertime, there are plenty of flowers to see. The camellia and the white narcissus are blooming in December and January. And in February, you’ll find the Japanese apricot and witch hazel trees abloom.

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Greenhouse

Right beside the Ookido Gate, you’ll find the large greenhouse. This greenhouse is home to many different tropical plants which bloom all year round. So even if there isn’t anything budding outside, you can always find something to look at in here. The interior feels like a jungle, with wild plants growing up to the ceiling and their leaves hanging down around you. The greenhouse is divided into different regional plants, so you can travel around the world in this one little building.

Where to Eat?

While there are some lovely restaurants in the surrounding area, the best thing to do inside the park brings a picnic! During cherry blossom season, this is called having a “hanami party” or sakura watching party. But it doesn’t need to be springtime to have a picnic. Just head down to your local konbini to pick up a variety of foods, ready to eat, and layout on a blanket to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. Remember, there is no drinking or bringing in alcohol into this park.

Rakuu-tei

If you haven’t brought any food with you, there are a few different rest houses and cafes dotted throughout the park. These are not always open, so be sure to check with the gate attendant to see which ones are serving customers. The Rakuu-tei (tea house) is a great place to have a cup of traditional macha inside a traditional tea room. This building is located beside the old plum trees in the Japanese garden. Here you can take a moment of relaxation as you enjoy a spot of tea with a seasonal Japanese sweets. The drink set will cost 700 yen, which is steep, but it’s all about the experience. If you’ve never had a tea set inside a garden-side tea room before this is your chance!

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Shinjuku Gyoen is the perfect place to escape to if you feel like the crowded and busy nature of the city is getting to you. Shinjuku is one of the most populated parts of the city and the fact this peaceful oasis is hidden in the middle of it is fantastic. Be sure to pay this place a visit to find a moment of zen in your busy travel schedule.

Happy Travels, Adventurers

The post Discover Tokyo’s Beautiful Shinjuku Gyoen: A Relaxing Urban Oasis first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

When we arrived in Japan in the hope of seeing the cherry blossoms, the first morning, we awoke and saw that it was 3 am. My heart was fluttering in anticipation of seeing the blooms. I had read they had sprouted much earlier than expected and was worried I missed them altogether. As soon as the sun rose, I sprinted out of bed, and we headed outside to see the city in the daylight (as we had arrived when it was already dark). I was thrilled to spot a small blooming tree in the corner park beside our hotel with those iconic pink petals. By seeing a few of these trees I knew the chances of seeing more in the park was pretty high!

We headed over to the nearest Daiso to stock up on picnicking essentials and then to the konbini for some food. When we arrived at the park, we collapsed on the ground from jetlag, but what a place to recover! I cannot recommend having a hanami party more, whether it’s just you with a few friends, with your partner or even only by yourself. It’s a beautiful way to introduce yourself to the natural beauty of Japan.

Table Of Contents

1. What is Hanami?
2. Where to Have your Hanami?
3. What do your Need for a Hanami?
4. What to Eat at your Hanami?
5. Tips to Having the Best Hanami
6. Arrive Early!
7. Plan for Bathroom Breaks
8. Pick Up After Yourself
9. Dress for Success
10. Respect the Trees
11. Bring some Music
12. Don't Forget to Charge

What is Hanami?

The word “hanami” is made from the word “hana,” which means flower, and “mi,” which means to watch or view. So literally, it translates to ‘flower watching’ parties.

Where to Have your Hanami?

There are so many wonderful spots around Japan to have a hanami. Most tourists will find themselves in Tokyo as it is the most popular tourist destination. Check out my post all about the best cities across Japan to see the cherry blossoms if you are looking for other spots to visit.

There are dozens of parks around Tokyo to have a hanami, but in my opinion, the very best one is Shinjuku Gyoen. This park is enormous! Sakura season is one of the busiest times to come to Japan, for both tourists and Japanese travellers, so often the parks get PACKED! Yoyogi Park and Ueno Park are probably the most popular, but with popularity comes HUGE crowds.

While Shinjuku Gyoen is still a favourite place to be, the park’s sheer size means there is plenty of room to spread out. So it never feels too crowded. The park does require an admission fee which costs 200 yen. But since you pay to get inside, this automatically cuts down on the number of visitors. And the trees here are spectacular. Shinjuku Gyoen was initially the Naitō family’s residence in the Edo period. They created this fantastic natural landscaping which included a variety of Japanese cherry blossom trees.

What do your Need for a Hanami?

One of the critical elements of the hanami is your picnic blanket. Most people coming to Japan won’t have brought this along with them. And I wouldn’t advise you do it even if you know you’ll be having a hanami. Blankets take up a lot of room in your suitcase, and when you arrive in Japan, there are tons of stores where you can get a picnic blanket for cheap. Head over to your local Daiso or 100 Yen shop to get a large picnic blanket. But even more popular than blankets are blue tarps which people use to place on the ground. The reason tarps are so perfect is if the ground is a bit wet they will still keep you dry!

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What to Eat at your Hanami?

The other thing you NEED to have a great hanami is food and drink! There is no need for a kitchen to pack your picnic. Just head over to your local grocery store or konbini and stock up on various food items. Here is my list of the best things to bring to your picnic!

Sakura Flavoured Foods

I would highly recommend grabbing as many sakura-flavoured things as possible to complement the surroundings. There are dozens of different items to choose from so just pick what catches your fancy. Even if you don’t know what it is. Eating new and surprising foods is what travelling is all about!

Bento

Bento boxes are another item to pick up as they are like an entire meal, all pre-packed for you. Perfect for a picnic! Sometimes they even have a special sakura bento. These contain pink rice balls flavoured with sakura petals.

Drinks

Grab yourself both some warm and cold drinks to enjoy—the warmer drinks, like a canned coffee, are great to wake up and warm up with. But the cold beverages as there to enjoy as the sun rises and you want to cool down. Konbinis have literally hundreds of different drinks to choose from so I would advise grabbing a few things you’ve never seen before. That makes the hanami all the more enjoyable as you enjoy tasting these new items.

Onigiri

Another item perfect for your picnic are onigiri. Onigiri are rice balls which contain fillings like salmon, tuna mayo and even pickled sakura. These are easy to pack and don’t require any utensils to eat!

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Karaage

I would highly recommend bringing some karaage with you. Karaage or Japanese fried chicken is one of the most delicious items you can find in a konbini. It also can be quickly eaten without any utensils and is nice and warm for cold mornings.

Oden

If you think it might be super chilly out when you arrive at the park, I will load up on oden at the konbini. Oden is a dashi soup stock that you can add your own ingredients into. Everything from radishes, soft boiled eggs, fried tofu and fish cakes. These come with lids (although don’t turn them upside down), so you should be able to transport them to the park with ease.

Dango

If you come to a cherry blossom party, be sure to grab a few sticks of dango from the konbini. Dango are tiny dumplings made from rice flour and are coloured green, white and pink, representing the colours of the cherry blossom trees.

Fruit

If you stop in at a grocery store before arriving, make sure to head over to the fruit section. While fruit in Japan isn’t cheap, it is some of the most delicious in the world! If the bloom of the sakura coincides with the strawberry season, be sure to pick up a box of strawberries to enjoy under the canopy of the cherry blossoms.

Sake

Sake is one of the traditional hanami drinks. There is even a word for the act of drinking sake under the cherry blossoms: hanami-zake. Sake can be found in konbinis and grocery stores as well as select vending machines. There are a few parks where drinking is prohibited, so be sure to check that in advance.

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Tips to Having the Best Hanami

Arrive Early!

Even the most extensive parks can get really crowded. Usually, you’ll be able to find at least somewhere to squeeze in, but if you want a prime location, arrive early! I honestly think the mornings are the best time to view the cherry blossoms. There is something about how the morning dew makes them shine as the sun rises that is so beautiful and special. Arriving on a weekday rather than a weekend is also a way to avoid larger crowds.

Plan for Bathroom Breaks

While many of these parks do have bathrooms close to the nearest train station, the washrooms’ line can be as long as an HOUR! So head over to the toilet well before you are desperate to go. Or see if there is a department store close by where you can find a bathroom. Even if it’s a little longer walk to get to the department store, you might find you’ll save a ton of time not waiting in line.

Pick Up After Yourself

When you leave, be sure to take all your garbage with you and place it in the right trash or recycling bins. Japan takes their garbage collection very seriously. It is extremely rude and almost insulting to just leave your trash behind. There are often limited garbage cans in Japan. Usually, around hanami time, they set up some extra bins along the park’s edges for people to leave their trash. I always carry an empty plastic bag with me if I need to take my garbage with me until I find a bin. An excellent tip for everyday travels in Japan.

Dress for Success

If it’s going to be a SUPER cold day, but you don’t want to miss out on viewing the flowers, head over to the drugstore and pick up some hand warmers. These are always on display, sometimes outside the store. They come in multipacks for a really reasonable price. Simply open the pack to ignite the warmer. They work so well and really can make it feel nice and cozy on a cold day.

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Even if it’s your own blanket or tarp, it is proper etiquette to take your shoes off before you get on the tarp. It’s just like when you enter a Japanese house, it is considered rude to keep your shoes on. For this reason, if you know, the day will be cold; double up on socks!

If you’ve followed my advice and arrived early in the morning, you might find it’s still a bit cool outside, so dressing in layers is key! Something you can throw off as the day warms up is the perfect attire for a hanami party.

Respect the Trees

Although you’d think this doesn’t need to be said, please be sure to respect the trees. Many cherry blossom trees are ancient, and some can be very delicate. Although climbing one might get you a great shot, you risk breaking one of the branches or damaging the tree. Admiring the beauty of the tree can be done very well from the ground and should stay that way.

Bring some Music

If you really want to take your hanami party to the next level, bring along a Bluetooth speaker. You can play music to enjoy as you sit under the peaceful swaying trees, staring up at the blossoms above. Keep the noise at a respectable level. If you love music but didn’t bring one along, simply walk around the park and sit yourself down beside the group with the best music! A great way to make new friends.

Don’t Forget to Charge

Don’t forget to bring along your power bank to charge your phone. Most likely you’ll want to stay in the park for a long time, and it’s always when your cellphone dies that you find the best spot for a picture!

Hopefully this guide helps you plan the perfect hanami party! This is honestly one of the most relaxing ways to enjoy the beauty of Japan during this preciously short season. Let me know in the comments if you’ve been to a hanami party before and what your favourite part about it was!

Happy Travels, Adventurers

The post Uncover the Magic of Japan’s Cherry Blossoms: A Hanami Guide to the Best Ways to Enjoy Sakura Season first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

What is Sakura?

“Sakura” is the Japanese word for cherry blossoms. The pale pink petals are indeed edible. They have a very mild flavour and can be slightly bitter, so they are often paired with sweets as the sweetness balances out the bitterness. The taste is a hint of cherries, while the dominant flavour is very floral.

Sakura Mochi

Sakura mochi is my favourite way to enjoy the taste of the cherry blossom. This is a traditional Japanese sweet made with pink-coloured rice wrapped in a pickled sakura leaf. Often there is also a pickled or sugared sakura blossom placed on top or inside the leaf to add extra flavour. 

While the rice-wrapped Sakura mochi is the most popular, a Kanto-style version is made using a dough flavoured with the Sakura. Red bean paste is placed inside the dough and the entire thing is wrapped up in a pickled sakura leaf.

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Sakura-Cha

One of the most delicate ways to have Sakura is in a cup of tea. Sakura-cha (cherry blossom tea) is made with salted sakura blossoms and sugar. It is one of the most prestigious blends, often served at weddings. As sakura blossoms are thought to represent good luck, this is another reason for their popularity at many celebrations. Look for this tea in tea houses and special cafes.

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Sakura Kit Kat

One of the most popular souvenirs to bring home for your friends and family (and to eat yourself) is Sakura flavoured Kit Kats. Flavoured Kit Kats are an obsession in Japan, despite seeming like an American import. They have been transformed into hundreds of different varieties, from red bean to peach parfait and even wasabi! In the springtime, we find a variety of Sakura-flavoured Kit Kats in stock pretty much everywhere you go. In the past, they have offered flavours like; sakura mochi, sakura sake and even Sakura macha. You can find these all over the place in convenience stores, Don Quijotes, supermarkets and even at Duty-Free before you get on the plane home. Perfect for last-minute souvenirs!

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Sakura Pepsi

While I am admittedly more of a Coke fan over Pepsi, Sakura Pepsi is the one exception. While Coke does come out with some rebranded packaging during Sakura season, the product remains the same. Pepsi, on the other hand, offers this neon pink drink flavoured with Sakura. It’s very similar to cherry Pepsi but perhaps just slightly more floral and a little bit sour.

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Sakura Pocky

Pocky is one of the most famous Japanese exports, which people are even addicted to here in North America. Pocky was invented in 1966 by Yoshiaki Koma. The original Pocky sticks are long, thin stick like biscuits which are coated in chocolate. During the Sakura season, the Sakura Pocky sticks are covered in a pale pink, white chocolate flavoured with Sakura. Another excellent idea for souvenirs for friends and family.

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Starbucks Sakura Drinks

Every holiday season, Starbucks comes out with a variety of specialty drinks. And Sakura season is no different. In fact, it is one of the most popular times of the year for Starbucks. In addition to the new flavours of drinks, Starbucks always comes out with seasonal merchandise. The sakura merch is known to sell out as soon as it hits the floor, with people lining up well in advance of store openings to ensure they get it! This year the drinks on offer are special sakura berry lattes and frappuccinos. The sakura blend is mixed with strawberry jam for an even more sweet and refreshing way to welcome in springtime.

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If you can’t make it out to Japan to see and experience the amazing food for yourself you should check out Sugoi Mart, a Japanese online store, shipping all over the world everything that Japan has to offer. From snacks, chocolates, anime licenses to toys and collectibles, our motto is pretty much: You want it? They have it! If they don’t, let them know and they will! Use Promo code: CREATIVE15 for 15% OFF today!

Starbucks Konbini Drink

Cheaper options for Starbucks lovers are the Starbucks konbini drinks. These are made from Starbucks blends but at a much lower price as they are mass-produced and don’t require a barista. In any fridge section of the konbini, you can get the Sakura smoothie. The smooth is flavoured with sakura and mixed with vanilla plus a layer of strawberry jelly on the bottom. It even comes with its own little green straw to drink with, like the stem of the cherry blossom!

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Starbucks Sakura Foods

Starbucks is one of the best places for seasonal food every season in Japan. More than any other country, Japan Starbucks is famous for its seasonal menus, and the Sakura season is undoubtedly the best time for this. The menu changes every year, but their sakura cakes and donuts are a staple for the Spring and a delicious accompaniment for your hot or cold drink.

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Lipton’s Sakura Tea Latte

Another popular konbini drink is Lipton’s Sakura Tea Latte. This uber-sweet beverage is a black tea combined with milk and sakura flavouring. These come in the most adorable pink packaging with lots of sakura flowers on the outside. They are to be drunk chilled so find them in the fridge section of your local konbini.

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Sakura Sugar

Another way to bring some sakura home with you is in these souvenir bottles of sakura sugar. These bottles have inside them sugar marinated in sakura flavour and dried bits of the flower itself. This is an excellent centrepiece for your at-home tea & coffee station and makes for an extraordinary gift. These are sold in lots of souvenir shops around Japan, but if you missed out, you could usually find it at duty-free as well.

Calbee Sakura Prawn Crackers

Calbee crackers are a popular everyday snack here in Japan, eaten since 1964. They are made of prawns and potatoes and shaped into iconic sticks. During sakura season, the crackers get a dusting of sakura petals which gives the snack that addictive sweet-salty flavour.

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Sakura Sake

Sake is no doubt the most traditional Japanese liquor. It somehow feels more elegant than other drinks. Maybe it’s the beautiful and delicate ceramic glasses you pour the sake into before drinking it. Or perhaps it’s how the clear liquid looks so simple yet has such a deep, complex flavour. But in the springtime, there is the most beautiful version of sake (in my opinion), the sakura sake. This pale pink bottle comes with a whole sakura flower inside, perfectly preserved in the peak of its bloom. These can usually be found inside Don Quijote or other liquor stores around Japan.

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Sakura Higashi Candies

One of the oldest forms of candy in Japan is higashi. Higashi are sweets made by pressing fine sugar into simple wooden frames moulded in the form of different seasonal flowers. Once the sugar is dried, it is popped out of the frame and painted with edible colour. These sweets are meant to be eaten alongside a cup of matcha, which can be quite bitter to balance out the candy’s sweetness. During sakura season, these candies are shaped into sakura flowers and flavoured with the delicate taste of the bloom. These can be found in Don Quijote and many confectionary shops along touristy streets.

Sakura-Matcha Cream Collon

Cream Collon is one of the top-selling sweet snacks in Japan. Cream Collon is a cylindrical waffle-style biscuit filled in the center with various varieties of cream. During the springtime, you’ll find the limited edition of Cream Collon that is flavoured with cherry blossoms and, instead of a vanilla wafer, it features a matcha biscuit!

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Sakura Tokyo Banana

Tokyo Banana is a popular kind of omiyage which many Japanese people buy to bring home to their friends and family after a vacation. This is considered polite and almost a requirement when you return to the office, almost as a treat for your co-workers who didn’t get to go away. Since you need to serve so many people, omiyage is usually individually wrapped snacks, great for sharing. Tokyo Bananas are little sponge cakes filled with banana custard. During the sakura season, the yellow sponge cake is printed with pink sakura petals. The banana cream is given a hint of sakura flavouring to add to the limited edition cakes.

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Sakura Beer

Asahi is the top-selling beer in Japan. Although the beer’s taste doesn’t change during the springtime, they always come out with limited edition designs on their cans and bottles. These feature pretty pink cherry blossom petals and celebratory designs. Other brands also come out with sakura bottle designs so keep your eye open wherever you go. These are a great addition to your hanami party.

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Sakura Mister Donut

The Japanese love their donuts. Although donuts seem as American as apple pie, the Japanese have come to love the sweet treat, and the most popular place to buy a freshly made donut is at Mister Donut. In the springtime, they come out with a limited series “Sakura Donuts Menu”. They offer various different kinds of donuts with cherry blossom flavours. These start to come out during the first week of March and continue into early April.

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Sakura Mochifuwa Pancake

Mochifuwa pancakes are a favourite treat in konbinis year-round. They are soft pillowy pastries with a layer of butter and maple syrup inside, like a little pancake sandwich. These are coloured with pink food colouring and filled with sakura petals and red bean paste during the springtime. The taste is so delicate and I really like these better than the original.

Sakura Baumkuchen 

Baumkuchen is an adorably shaped dessert which has gained notoriety in Japan despite the dessert’s origin in Germany. The word “Baumkuchen” in German translates to “tree cake,” as the dessert is formed by creating concentric rings of cake that resemble a tree’s rings. Head over FamilyMart in the springtime to find the Cherry Blossom Baumkuchen. It is so soft, like a pillow and perfectly flavoured with cherry blossom syrup.

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Sakura McFloat

McDonald’s in Japan offers ice cream floats with any of their soda pops on tap. Something which I’m truly WAITING to come to North America! During sakura season, McDonald’s offers the Sakura McFloat, which is made with a limited edition cherry soda and topped with a swirl of soft-serve ice cream. If you’d prefer the vegan version, without the ice cream, you can always order just the cherry soda without the soft serve.

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Sakura Anpan

Anpan is one of the oldest Japanese pastries. It is made from a sweet roll and then filled with red bean paste. Find limited-edition anpans during the Spring inside convenience stores. These are coloured pale pink and topped with candied cherry blossoms.

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Sakura Parfaits

One of my favourite desserts in Japan are parfaits. The country seems to love creating these opulent layered treats, which are as colourful as delicious. You can find gourmet sakura parfaits sold at dessert shops and cafes around the city. But if you’re looking for a more affordable version, then the Konbini as they have their fair share of fantastic sakura parfaits.

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Sakura Mintia Mints

To keep your breath fresh but on-trend, you need to pick up a pack of Sakura Mintia Mints. These are both floral and sweet and are packaged inside the most beautiful little box. Your breath might be less than appealing but that doesn’t mean the antidote has to be just as nose curling.

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Sakura Ice Cream Sandwiches

Inside konbinis, everywhere you go are these huge freezers in the middle of the aisles with hundreds of frozen treats. During sakura season, head over and find one of their sakura-flavoured ice cream sandwiches. These are so delicious as the delicate flavour of the sakura really sings inside the creamy dessert. They also have plain sakura ice cream for those who can’t eat gluten, a great option that doesn’t feel like a sad alternative.

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Sakura Royal Milk Tea

Whenever you’re visiting a new country, you NEED to make a point of visiting a grocery store. There are so many incredible things to eat that don’t require an entire kitchen to be found there. I think visiting a grocery store is a great way to get a sense of the real people who live there, not just of the touristy food which caters to visitors.

Grocery stores have lots of neat things you might never have imagined you can bring home as a souvenir or gifts for friends. One of these things is powdered milk tea packs. They come in large bags with lots of small packs inside of instant milk tea. Just pour in boiling water and you have an instant tea latte. During the spring, these come in darling pink packages with sakura flavoured milk tea inside. A great way to keep springtime with you all year round!

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Sakura season is truly a magical time to be in Japan. Enjoying these treats is one of the best ways to relax and enjoy the springtime weather as you take in the sights of the beautiful cherry blossom trees! Let me know which of these delicious treats are your favourite or if there are any you love that I missed!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post The Best Sakura Food and Drinks to try in Japan first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

What is a Sakura?

Sakura is the Japanese term for cherry blossoms. Unlike other trees, this breed doesn’t produce any fruit but instead blooms into awe-inspiring flowers. These range from deep pink to pale rose. One thing that makes the sakura so unique is that they bloom for only a week or two. I suppose they really represent the idea of “absence makes the heart grow fonder“. Although Japan’s national flower is officially the chrysanthemum, the cherry blossom is seen as their informal national flower.

Symbolism of the Sakura

Japanese people honour the sakura for its short life span as it is thought to remind people how precious life is and to cherish every second you have on this earth because you never know how fleeting life can be. And no matter how short, it is always beautiful. The bloom of the sakura also represents springtime and a new beginning after a long, cold winter. Since the bloom of the sakura generally coincides with the start of the school year, they are also symbols of good luck.

Words to Use During Cherry Blossom Season

Since the popularity of the Sakura has been so prevalent throughout the centuries, Japanese people have developed many special terms for various happenings during the Sakura season. The Japanese language is one of the most poetic in the world. With simple words to describe complex thoughts or sensations. They find words to describe even the most seemingly insignificant things. Here are my favourite words inspired by the beauty of the great Sakura.

Sakura

The word Sakura, as we know, means “cherry blossom.” But the word is actually derived from the word “Saku,” which means to bloom or to smile. And looking at these gorgeous flowers, how can one no smile?!

Sakura Zensen

Blooming Sakuras are considering a weather event in Japan and they call it the sakura zensen or the “cherry blossom front”. The front refers to the advancement of the bloom across the country. It is officially observed by the Japan Meteorological Agency who alerts major new agencies of the changes to broadcast to the public. This process has existed for centuries, as even hundreds of years ago, people were waiting to see the blooms come the springtime.

The season starts in the south in Okinawa around January and slowly moves north as the weather gets warmer. The season generally ends around April. But this schedule can often shift drastically if the weather has either been either unseasonably warm or cold.

Hanami

Every year, people gather in parks underneath the cherry trees to celebrate Sakura season. These are called “hanami” parties. The word “hanami” is made from the word “Hana,” which means flower, and “mi,” which means to watch or view. So literally, it translates to ‘flower watching‘ parties. Because this is such a popular event, parks sometimes require you to reserve your spot in advance. Thousands of people flock to the trees every day to celebrate with friends and family. If you visit Japan during Cherry Blossom season, you must make your way out to have your own hanami. Be sure to stop by a konbini to pick up a few sakura-flavoured items for your picnic!

Hanafubuki

If you’ve ever visited a cherry blossom field, you’ll know that magical moment when the wind blows and the petals from the flowers gently float in the air. This is called Sakura-fubuki, or “cherry blossom snowstorm.”

Sakurabito

Sakurabito was a word developed in the 11th century to describe a person who loves cherry blossoms. You can count me in as a Sakurabito. The word translates in English to “sakura person”.

Hana-yori-dango

Hana-yori-dango is a Japanese proverb used to make fun of people who attend hanami parties just to eat and drink rather than appreciate the beauty of the season. “Dango” is a Japanese sweet, so the word translates to “sweets before flowers.”

Yozakura

Yozakura translates into “Night Sakura”. This the term used to describe the popular pastime of viewing cherry blossoms at night. The city lights continue to illuminate the flowers even after dusk, making them appear to sparkle like tiny stars.

Mankai

Mankai is the word for the sakura’s full bloom. It is appropriate to use this word when around 80% of an orchard’s blossoms have sprouted. This produces a wave of colour across the sky and is one of the best times to see the sakura trees.

Mikkaminumanosakura

Mikkaminumanosakura is a word that means “quick or sudden change“. It is represented by how a Sakura tree can blossom and lose all its petals almost in the blink of an eye.

Ubazakura

Ubazakura is one of my favourite words. It directly translates to “old-woman sakura“. This work is used to describe an older woman who still preserves her beautiful appearance. The idea that beauty can exist without youth.

Asazakura

Asazakura means “Morning Sakura“. Walking first thing in the morning just as the sun comes up, the morning dew clings to the sakura blossoms, making them glimmer with the rising sunlight.

Hanagasumi

Hanagasumi is made up of the words “Hana,” which means flower, and “gasumi,” which implies haze. This is the word used to describe the pale white cherry blossoms. As these trees often cling to the river banks, in the early morning, these white petals look like mist cast across the horizon.

Sakuragari

Visiting Japan in the springtime might mean you are there for “Sakuragari“. Sakuragari is made up of the words “sakura,” which we know and “gari,” which means to hunt. Sakuragari translates to hunting Sakura. This is a term for people who go out around the country to be there to appreciate the beauty of this natural phenomena.

Zanou

Zanou is the perfect word to end off with. It translates to ‘remaining sakura‘ as it is used to speak about the last petal of the season that falls. Once the Zanou falls, it means Spring is over, and summer is just around the corner.

See if you can use these words next time you visit Japan during Sakura Season. The locals always appreciate you learning the language and will be truly in awe if you learn some of these mostly niche words! If you found this post interesting you need to check out Japan’s 72 Microseasons to learn even more about the wonders of the Japanese language.

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post The Beautiful Meaning Behind Japan’s Many Words for Cherry Blossoms first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.