why is the cherry blossom festival celebrated in japan

In 2022, Tokyo's cherry blossom season officially began on March 20, when flowers opened on a Somei-Yoshino cherry tree at Yasukuni Shrine. The cherry blossoms bloom once in a year and they last only for a period of two weeks. At nighttime, people bring along beer, sake, and even karaoke sets with them to hold cheerful, often rowdy parties. Most major metropolitan areas have a yearly one in the spring. Hikone Castle Cherry Blossom Festival (Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture) Hikone Castle is a designated Special Historic Site, and the venue of an annual cherry blossom festival and light-up! Why is the Cherry Blossom festival celebrated in Japan? Cherry blossoms are a widely celebrated flower in Japan, known as "sakura", and are significant in Japanese history. Starting towards the end of March and lasting until the beginning of May, cherry blossoms - sakura, as well as plum trees - ume are in blossom all around the country. Outdoor parties, picnics and street festivals capitalize on the warm weather and beautiful scenery. Why is National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrated? Hanami season through most of Japan is a bit later. normally come together to celebrate the blooming of the . Folklore says that when the Sakura spirits release their gorgeous fragrance in springtime, their gift of beauty and elegance is to be truly celebrated! Cherry blossom, or sakura as it's known in Japan, is a big part of Japanese culture. The national flower of Japan, the cherry blossom - or Sakura, represents a time of renewal and optimism. It is a flower of many trees of genus Prunus or Prunus subg. The Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the biggest and most crowded in all of Japan. This very short blooming period is often compared to the transition nature of life. Thursday, November 14, 2019. With Spring 2023 also comes The Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan.Travellers from all around the world are making their way to celebrate one of the most beloved yearly events in the spring in Japan which is the Sakura Festival.. Some locations of cherry blossom festivals include: Yaedake Cherry Blossom Festival in Okinawa. However, the cherry blossom is much more abundant. Home to over one thousand cherry trees, Tokyo's Ueno Park transforms into a sea of pink blossoms in late March and early April. The Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan is celebrated during the spring months, whenever the trees are in bloom. Yakiniku . As the Japanese school year begins in April, a time of heavy blooming in mainland Japan, the blossoms are often seen as a sign of beginning a new stage of life. the national cherry blossom festival is a spring celebration in washington, d.c., commemorating the march 27, 1912, gift of japanese cherry trees from mayor yukio ozaki of tokyo city to the city of washington, d.c. ozaki gave the trees to enhance the growing friendship between the united states and japan and also celebrate the continued close If you want to experience Japan's famous cherry blossoms, 2023 will be a year like none other, as cautious countries like Japan finally emerge from coronavirus restrictions. The typical bloom cycle is usually between March and April. the primary blooms start down south within the warmer pockets of Japan like Nagasaki and Kagoshima and in central Honshu; Tokyo, Osaka, Kanazawa typically during mid-late March, while the high season is in April. Here's what it's like to experience a cherry blos. The Japanese make the most of the event. Most often referring to cherry blossoms, the Hanami Festival is celebrating the traditional Japanese custom of enjoying flowers. 2. The "flowers" here are mostly Sakura (cherry blossoms) or Ume (apricot or plum) blossoms. Held from the end . The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. commemorates Mayor Yukio Ozaki's gift of 3,000 cherry trees to the city and is a celebration of the continuing friendship between Japan and America.Held in April and March, this spectacular festival features a kite festival, a day-to-night market, as well as a Pink Tie Party. The massive bloom starts in the far south, in Okinawa, and slowly works . The flowers are also a symbol of renewal and hope. There is even a cherry blossom festival in Washington, D.C. on the banks of the Potomac . Cherry blossoms have become emblematic of beauty's impermanence due to their beauty and transitory nature (the flowers typically last little more than two weeks). The blooming and falling of the blossoms is celebrated each year at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan; known as Hanami. People celebrate the flowering of cherry blossoms by moving outdoors - holding hanami picnics under the trees. Why is Cherry Blossom Festival celebrated? Celebrations begin in the day and often last into the night. Cherry blossom festivals. In terms of 'hanami,' (flower viewing), activities include picnicking in parks near the cherry trees. 7. While the origins of the flower are a bit of a mystery (and also a point of much debate amongst the Chinese, Japanese and Koreans), the origins of the "flower viewing", or hanami festival, is a lot easier to track. Most Cherry Blossom festivals are in March or April. People gather under blooming cherry blossoms for food, drink, songs, companionship and the beauty of sakura (cherry blossoms). Ueno Park , Tokyo. The festival is marked to commemorate March 27, 1912. While the dates change somewhat from year to year, there are areas in which cherry blossoms bloom even earlier! During this very short period of time, Japanese people enjoy the traditional activity called hanami, which can be literally translated as "viewing the flowers." Read on to discover the origins and meanings of this celebration and how it is celebrated today. It has been celebrated for many centuries and holds a prominent position in Japanese culture. Event Period: March 27 - April 15, 2021. There are dozens of cherry tree varieties in Japan, most of which bloom for just a few days in spring. One is the town of Kawazu, which is about 3 hours south of Tokyo along the Izu . Don't Miss Cheerful and massive crowds along Main Street Nighttime illuminations of the cherry trees How to Get There In 1912, Japan gifted 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, DC. The Cherry Blossom Festival (Sakura Festival) in Japan attracts countless visitors who come to admire the transformation of Japan's landscape, looking for the best . This is the ideal time to celebrate the Hanami . March 27th is known as "Sakura No Hi" (Cherry Blossom Day), which was established back in 1992 by the Cherry Blossom Association in Japan. The full blooms were symbolic of a full and bountiful harvest of rice, which the upper classes would celebrate by drinking and eating under the trees. The cherry blossom (, sakura) is Japan's unofficial national flower. The 10 Best places to see the cherry blossoms. Japan is world-famous for its Cherry Blossom Festival - locally known as 'Hanami Festival'. Cherry Blossom Festival is a festival with flower blossoms in Hawaii.Specifically, the festival dates back to 1953. They're often seen as a symbol of renewal, rebirth, and new. It's a short lived event, with blossoms lasting only a week or two. So we might as well appreciate them to the fullest, in this present moment. The pops of pink mark the ending of winter and signify the beginning of spring. This festival has a long history dating back to the Nara period (710-794). As the bleak weather months come to an end, Japan celebrates the beginning of springtime through the Cherry Blossom festival. C . The cherry-blossom tree is known for its short but brilliant blooming season, a natural process that metaphorically describes human life. That is why it is also known as Japanese cherry and sakura. In Spring in Japan, cherry blossom trees are in bloom for about two weeks. Cherry blossoms, or sakura in Japanese, are a national symbol of Japan and have been celebrated in the country for centuries. Because cherry blossoms are beautiful and fleetingthe blooms often last no more than two weeksthey have become symbolic of the impermanence of beauty. The Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan is for families to bond together and the Hanami viewing ages generations back. The cherry blossoms are very important to Japanese people as many celebrations and festivals take place during the blooming season. The first blossoms usually appear in the southern islands of Okinawa in early March. It reminds us that every beginning has an end and that life is beautiful yet very short. So, the Hanami festival literally is a flower viewing festival. Take delight in viewing over 10,000 cherry trees in bloom at the Matsumae Park Cherry Blossom Festival. Why is the Cherry Blossom Festival celebrated in Japan? The History and Origins of Hanami. The Festival won another "Best Festival in The World" title . A cherry blossom festival, also called Sakura Matsuri, is a spring festival that celebrates the natural beauty of cherry trees, along with Japanese food, culture, and history. Source: mirror.co.uk. These short-lived pink flowers symbolize life, friendship, and are a cultural landmark of Japan itself. These gatherings can be outings with family members, friends, or colleagues. Due to their quick blooming season, cherry blossoms also symbolize the transience of life, a major theme in Buddhism. It is held throughout Japan and in many other places around the world. The festival is celebrated all over the country during the spring. The best two places to witness the cherry blossoms are in Tokyo and Kyoto. In Japanese, " hana " means flower and " mi " means to watch or look at. This is Cherry tree which is blossomed :-) "The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a spring celebration in Washington, D.C., commemorating the March 27, 1912, gift of Japanese cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo City . Japan celebrates the entire season of the cherry blossoms. It is often used in art and literature, and its beauty is celebrated in many ways. Time of the festival. Artificial lights are used to ensure parties can last well into the night. Answer (1 of 3): If you are lucky enough to be in Japan during cherry blossom season, it is de rigueur to head out into the local parks and gardens, bring a selection of picnic food and drinks and join the locals for a hanami - or "flower-viewing". Visit Ueno Park during spring and watch 1,000 cherry blossom trees bloom in glory. The Origin of Hanami Festivals. Cherry blossoms are often featured in works or art and even tattoos to depict the Japanese concept of mono no aware, the wistful realization that "nothing lasts forever." TommL / Getty Images The Cherry Blossom Festival is known by many in Macon-Bibb as the best celebration of the year, and now they have an award to prove it. Japan's weather . Now, every year, Washington DC holds a National Cherry Blossom Festival to celebrate the . Cherries Do Not Come From Sakura Cherry Trees . Known as one of the most beautiful places to see cherry blossoms in Japan, Hirosaki City in Aomori Prefecture holds the annual cherry blossom festival at Hirosaki Park ().Beautiful cherry blossoms can be enjoyed at the foot of glorious Hirosaki Castle at day and night with delicious street food and drinks, and the site is also popular after the peak blooming . Every Cherry tree has a story - Throughout Japan, the Cherry, or 'Sakura' tree is representative of good fortune, new beginnings and revival. 1. In Hokkaido, they bloom in May. Cherry blossom is the national flower of Japan. The best places to see the cherry blossoms bloom in Tokyo are Ueno Park, where more than 1000 trees are planted, and Sumida Park with hundreds of cherry trees blossoming in the Spring. 3. If the park offers a grill, people often bring food to grill on location. Admiring the flowers' fleeting beauty is a practice that dates back over a thousand years. Cherry blossom season, also known as the sakura or hanami flower-watching season, brings life and magic to Japan each spring. Cherry blossoms start blooming in January in Okinawa and reach their peak in late March to April in the Honshu region. The Japanese tradition of cherry blossom festival ( hanami) is a celebration that is centuries old. Crowds of tourists visit every year to enjoy the local specialties and specialty shops. People from all over the country (and the world!) There are festivals in nearly every region of Japan, and some locations, food is available or a park may be decorated with lanterns. If you want to get the perfect snaps, then head out a little early in the morning when the air is fresh, and the place is quiet. Although the weather can be chilly and damp, the hotels full and the streets clogged with revelers, the sight of the delicate blossoms and their intoxicating effect on the people make for a wonderful experience. Having said that, stay informed that the trees bloom at different times, so do not expect to see flowers blooming wherever you go. FESTIVALS Cherry Blossom Festival A visit to Japan during sakura (cherry blossom) season is a rare pleasure, and highly recommended. These parties may occur during the day or nighttime (the nocturnal equivalent . In 2013, it is in its 62nd year. The celebration consists of holding parties under the short-lived cherry blossoms as they bloom. This festival takes place from . One of Japan's busiest, liveliest, and most popular spots to enjoy the cherry blossoms and surrounding festivals is Ueno Park. From a cultural point of view, cherry blossom in Japan also symbolize the transience of life, which is a major theme in Buddhism. During cherry blossom season in Japan, it seems like the entire population of 126 million people emerges from their hibernation, leaving their heated kotatsu tables, only to lug about picnic gear and scramble to secure a prime flower-viewing spot at the park.. What with the crowds at urban parks and gardens, and specific restrictions at some locations, cherry blossom viewing can be quite a . During cherry blossom season, it is typical for Japanese people to lay out blue tarps near the . The tradition of hanami has a history stretchin. Such festivals are held all over the world, including in Japan, as gestures of goodwill and friendship. This festival can begin as early as the first of January! This is typically throughout March and April but in some locations the flowers bloom long into May. The custom of hanami dates back to the Nara era (710-794), when plum blossoms, just imported from China, became an object of admiration in Japan.The trend changed during the Heian period, and it was the turn of the cherry blossoms - or sakura - to be acclaimed.. Also known as the "cherry blossom festival," this annual celebration is about appreciating the temporal beauty of nature. Cherry blossoms usually bloom between mid-March and early May. The small, delicate pink sakura and ume plum blossoms flower at different times throughout the season. Cherry blossoms are frequently depicted in Japanese works of art and even tattoos to represent the sorrowful knowledge that "nothing lasts forever," or mono not aware. The atmosphere at this time of year is infectious, with parks packed with picnickers and admirers. Peak cherry blossom season lasts only a fleeting moment, which is why it's such an anticipated moment. On this day, Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo City gifted Japanese . Blossoms in the country's major cities like Tokyo . Not only is sakura the national flower of Japan, the cherry blossoms also take on added spiritual meaning in the context of Buddhist. Grilled or lightly fried chunks of kabocha, a pumpkin-like Japanese squash, is also a frequent side dish. Cherry-blossom viewing began in ancient . Because of the difficulty of forecasting full bloom dates in a normal year, I would wait until next February or March to finalize your 2023 cherry . The short blooming season of the sakura flower makes it all the more special. Cherry blossom trees are called sakura in Japanese, and the flower holds a significant symbolism in the country's culture. It was conceived to help generate more interest in the Japanese culture of hanami and to promote the cultural importance of the sakura flower. Today, the first cherry blossom trees begin to bloom in early February, on the subtropical Japanese island of Okinawa, where both my friend and I grew up. The word hanami is also used for the first time to designate the contemplation of the cherry . Washington D. C., United States of America. And they should be the mid-late March and early April. -Hirosaki Castle. Cherry blossom viewing is also linked to a Japanese concept called "mono no aware," or melancholy appreciation of the impermanence of things. Every spring, all across Japan, people gather under cherry blossom trees to enjoy nature's delicate beauty. Originally a religious rite, it was held on a particular day and the coming harvest was forecasted from the condition of the cherry blossoms. However, due to this, you would find many families bustling about the popular spots. The Bottom Line. Answer: Please don't mind, if someone tell you to shine your shoes. There are may cherry blossom festivals throughout Japan. 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