Sakura, sakura, sakura! The most beautiful season has begun in Japan!
Mar 25, 2025
Parks and riverbanks bathed in pink, white and pink: for the Japanese, there is hardly a more important time of year than the cherry blossom season. The cherry blossom has a special significance in the country. They symbolize new beginnings, transience and beauty. The breathtaking natural spectacle begins in mid to late March on the southern main island of Kyushu. The trees on Shikoku bloom a little later, followed by the main island of Honshu with the large cities of Osaka and Tokyo. Hanami, or flower viewing, is celebrated in numerous parks. It is not unusual for the Japanese to get up in the middle of the morning and reserve the best spots for the flower show and their loved ones with their green and blue blankets. Of course, lots of sake and shochu are enjoyed during the hanami. But in Japan, you would never drink anything without eating. Very likeable!
As an island nation, Japan stretches across several degrees of latitude from north to south. This is why the climate changes so rapidly. In the north, for example on Hokkaido, it is naturally always a little colder than on Kyushu in the south. The cherry blossoms are seen first in the south. The"Cherry Blossom Forecast" has a firm place in the Japanese media. Recently, there is also an app for predicting the sakura. Tourists, but also locals, often travel with or after the cherry blossom. If you can't make it to Japan, you can watch numerous great videos about the cherry blossom season, for example on NHK.
In addition to the geographical location and the influence of temperature, the type of cherry blossom tree also plays a role. The Japanese flowering cherry Prunus Serrulata, an ornamental cherry that is often planted in public parks, is widespread. It usually blooms from April to May. However, there are many other types of cherry blossom. Incidentally, ornamental cherries have nothing to do with cherry trees. They never grow fruit. So if you want to use a cherry blossom emoji on social media or when chatting, always use the pink blossom 🌸 and never the two cherries 🍒❌ 😉.
Sakura Sweets & Drinks
There are countless sakura desserts, sweets and drinks to discover in Japan at sakura time. Starting with the famous sakura mochi. This traditional Japanese sweet consists of red bean paste (azuki), coated in a thin layer of pink mochi and covered with a salted sakura leaf.
Of course, chains such as Starbucks, Wendy's and Seven Eleven also shine with great sakura drinks, such as sakura latte, sakura strawberry tapioca milk or sakura shakes.
Last but not least, Tokyo's lively bar scene is full of creativity and enchants with pink drinks, either made with delicious sakura liqueurs or sakura syrup. A visit is worthwhile in any case.
