Finding Your Favorite Sakura in Japan 🌸 推し桜を見つける楽しみ

Many visitors come to Japan hoping to see cherry blossoms at famous spots.
The thousand cherry trees in Ogawara, the sakura at Hirosaki Castle—
famous cherry blossom spots are definitely worth visiting.

But if you stay in Japan for a while, you may discover other ways to enjoy them.

Since ancient times, Japanese people have admired the utsurohi (gentle changes) of cherry blossoms as they pass through the season.

The flowers change from the buds to first opening, one-third bloom, half bloom, almost full bloom, full bloom, and then to sakura fubuki (petals falling), and even hazakura (fresh leaves)

Each stage has its own beauty, and you may notice the flowers becoming slightly pinker within just a few hours.

You can find sakura along streets, in small parks, or at local schools.
Each cherry tree also has its own shape, color and character, and even these quiet trees show their own beauty.

Instead of visiting only famous spots, you might enjoy finding your own favorite cherry tree near where you live. Watching the same tree change little by little each day can be one of the most special ways to experience spring in Japan.

Why not try finding your own favorite sakura this year?

名所の咲き誇る満開の桜は、言葉では表現できないほど美しいものです。
ですが、桜の楽しみ方はそれだけではありません。

古来より日本人は、桜のうつろひを愛でてきました。

つぼみに始まり、咲始め、五部咲き、七分咲、満開、散り際の桜吹雪に、葉桜まで。その時々で違った美しさを見せてくれます。

開花のスピードは速く、一本の樹を眺めていると、ほんの数時間の間でも色づいていく様子が見られます。

路端の、小さな公園の、そして学校の桜ー
名もなき孤高の桜にも、枝ぶりも花の色もそれぞれ個性があり、それぞれの美しさがあります。

遠き名所の満開の桜も格別ですが、一本の桜の樹の日々の変化を愛でるのも桜の楽しみ方の一つだと思います。

今春は、あなただけの推し桜を見つけてみませんか。