Cherry Blossoms -Sakura-

Cherry Blossoms – Sakura : サクラ (桜) –

Cherry blossoms have been loved by the Japanese since ancient times, and the beauty of the flowers themselves and the fleeting way they fall have also made them a subject for reflection on life and death.

Due to their tendency to fall and the myths that appear in the Kojiki, cherry blossoms have come to be associated with images of death and transience, but they are also beloved in Japan as a flower that heralds the arrival of spring.

The duration of cherry blossom blooming varies depending on the region and climate, from about 10 days to about 2 weeks. Cherry blossoms gradually fall off about a week after they reach full bloom, but if it rains or strong winds blow, the flowers will fall off more quickly.
If the temperature drops after the flowers bloom, the flowers will last longer.

The relationship between cherry blossoms and Japanese people is that they are Japan’s most representative tree and are considered to be the very image of Japan. Since cherry blossoms are also used on coins and banknotes, they can also be said to be treated as the national flower.
When I think of Japan, the first things that come to mind are cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji.
Cherry blossoms are often depicted in works of art such as ukiyo-e, kabuki, and noh, and are also used as a dramatic element in theater.

As a flower that heralds the arrival of spring, it can be said that cherry blossoms have also stirred feelings of joy about the start of farming and the end of the cold of winter.
It is said that people used to appreciate wild cherry blossoms before the Heian period (approximately 794-1185 AD).

There are apparently more than 600 varieties of cherry blossoms in Japan, with around 11 wild species, and from these there are many cultivated varieties.

The Miharu Takizakura in Fukushima, the Yamataka Jindaizakura in Yamanashi, and the Neodani Usuzumizakura in Gifu are particularly treasured as the “Three Great Cherry Blossoms.”

Cherry blossom viewing is said to have begun as an event in the Heian period when aristocrats would compose poems and play kemari (a traditional Japanese football) while admiring the cherry blossoms.
It seems that common people began to enjoy cherry blossom viewing around the Kanbun era (1661-1673) of the Edo period.

The endless rows of cherry trees along the river are a sight to behold, but the reason they are so common along rivers is that during the Edo period, when heavy rains fell, the rivers would easily flood and the banks would sometimes collapse, so our ancestors believed that if they planted cherry trees on the banks, many people would come to view the flowers every year, and this would naturally help to firm up the banks, and so many cherry trees were planted along rivers, some as a disaster prevention measure.

Cherry blossom forecast for 2025

The period from when cherry blossoms bloom until they are in full bloom varies depending on the region, climate, and type of cherry blossom, but it generally takes about a week to ten days.
In Japan, the cherry blossoms are reported in the news, and people use this information to predict when they will be in full bloom and then enjoy cherry blossom viewing.

For reference, we have listed the flowering dates and average flowering dates in Tokyo from 2021 to 2024.

Bloom dates and average bloom dates in Tokyo from 2021 to 2024

2021	2022	2023	2024	Average value Date
March 14th	March 20	March 14th	March 29	March 24th

Reference site: For details, please check the Japan Weather Association.
Japan Weather Association：日本気象協会 [https://tenki.jp/] 

The date of flowering varies considerably from year to year depending on the weather, so it is impossible to predict even if you live in Japan. In 2025, the Kanto region suddenly became cold as April began.
I posted this in the hope that it will be of some help to those who are looking forward to seeing the cherry blossoms in Japan.
I plan to update this site every year for as long as it lasts.

Thank you for watching.