The cherry blossom (sakura) has been celebrated in Japan for many centuries and holds a very particular place in Japanese culture. Although there are many varieties of cherry tree in Japan, most bloom for just a couple of days in spring. The Japanese celebrate this time of the year with Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties: friends, family or work colleagues gather and sit on plastic mats under the blossoming trees, to drink, sing, chat or just admire the spectacle.
The most important factor in determining the blooming time of cherry trees is the geographical location. The milder the climate, the earlier the blossoms open, so the blossom-time sweeps up the country from south to north.
On Japan’s southern, subtropical islands of Okinawa, cherry blossoms open as early as January, while on the northern island of Hokkaido, the flowering can be as late as May. In most major cities in between, such as Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, the cherry blossom season typically takes place in early April.
Furthermore, the blooming time of cherry trees differs from year to year depending on the weather. If the weather during the months and weeks preceding the cherry blossom season is mild, blossoms will open early. If it is cold, blossoms will open later. From year to year, the start of the blooming season can vary by as much as two weeks. The table below shows average times (from north to south of the country)
| City | Average Opening | Average Full Bloom |
| Naha | January 19 | February 4 |
| Kagoshima | March 26 | April 3 |
| Kumamoto | March 24 | April 2 |
| Fukuoka | March 26 | April 3 |
| Matsuyama | March 28 | April 5 |
| Takamatsu | March 30 | April 6 |
| Hroshima | March 29 | April 5 |
| Kobe | March 30 | April 6 |
| Nara | April 1 | April 6 |
| Osaka | March 30 | April 6 |
| Kyoto | March 31 | April 7 |
| Kanazawa | April 6 | April 11 |
| Takayama | April 16 | April 21 |
| Matsumoto | April 12 | April 17 |
| Nagoya | March 28 | April 5 |
| Yokohama | March 28 | April 5 |
| Tokyo | March 28 | April 5 |
| Sendai | April 12 | April 18 |
| Hirosaki | April 24 | April 30 |
| Hakodate | May 3 | May 7 |
| Sapporo | May 5 | May 8 |
The data is from the Japan Weather Association and refers to Somei Yoshino cherry trees, except in the case of Naha (Hikanzakura).
The Philosopher's Path (哲学の道, Tetsugaku no michi) is a pleasant stone path through the northern part of Kyoto's Higashiyama district. The path follows a canal which is lined by hundreds of cherry trees. Usually in early April these trees explode with color, making this one of the city's most popular hanami (cherry blossom viewing) spots.
Approximately two kilometers long, the path begins around Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) and ends in the neighborhood of Nanzenji. The path gets its name due to Nishida Kitaro, one of Japan's most famous philosophers, who was said to practice meditation while walking this route on his daily commute to Kyoto University.
Restaurants cafes, and boutiques can be found along the path, as well as a number of smaller temples and shrines which are a short walk from the canal. The most notable of the temples is Honen-in, with an entrance gate that is quite spectacular especially during the autumn leaf season.
The canal, that the path follows, is part of the Lake Biwa Canal which tunnels 20 kilometers through the mountains to Lake Biwa in nearby Shiga Prefecture. The canal was built during the Meiji Period in order to revitalize the stagnating local economy, and was used to power Japan's first hydroelectric power plant. A beautiful aqueduct, which is part of the canal, can be seen around Nanzenji.
The Philosopher's Path runs between Ginkakuji and the neighborhood of Nanzenji, a 5-10 minute walk north of Nanzenji's main temple buildings.
Beautiful Japanese Watches BUY NOW
It is very nice place to visit
ReplyDeleteIt is very nice place to visit I will love to be here
ReplyDeleteWe will gladly take you there
ReplyDelete