If you are on a trip to Japan plan it in accordance with the Cherry Blossom festival. You might be wondering what this festival is and why the emphasis is on watching this festival. Well! This is Japan’s most revered festival celebrated with great fervor and excitement.
Tourists from all over the world gather to join the tradition of ,‘Hanami’ which translates to the flower watching ritual, and generally, to the watching of the cherry trees blooming.

Japanese families gather around parks, shrines, temples, riverbanks and castles to watch the cherry trees bloom. As a tourist, if you are interested in watching this natural wonder and be a part of the festivities, you must plan your trip for the last week of March to mid April. However, the blooming of the trees is very much dependent on the weather of Japan and the geographical location, therefore the time in a specific location may vary from late January till the end of May.
Although the festival is celebrated with much fan fare and zeal all around Japan, the best places to view the festival are the Ueno Park and the Shinjugyoen.
Tourists are mesmerized by the grandeur that the Japanese show on the cherry blossom festival. There are several activities of entertainment planned for the festival however the folk music is the most prominent one. There are many concerts arranged and the streets have all kinds of games and rides for children.
When you are out on the streets basking in the glory of the festival and trying to take in all the sights and activities, you would notice the traditional Japanese culture where the kimono, the traditional dress of Japan is displayed. Beautiful flower arrangements are another major attraction. Another fascinating sight for any tourist to Japan during the cherry blossom festival is the mix of activities that are pursued during the festival. While on the one hand there are, beauty pageants held, on the other hand there are religious ceremonies to mark the blooming of the flowers.