March is the standard season for cherry blossoms in Japan. Things kick off down in Kyushu during the first few weeks of the month. But this year it`s a bit late. Thereafter, the blossoms slowly begin to peak out of their buds early April all across the western half of Honshu (Japan’s main island). While there is indeed a bit of latitudinal difference from prefecture to prefecture. If you’re a tourist or living in Japan and planning to visit famous Cherry blossom site visiting any earlier than that, you’ll likely miss out on Japan’s most iconic flowers.
But if you missed out cherry blossom viewing in some parts of Japan. Don’t worry, the north still blooms. While much of Japan’s main island of Honshu flowers more or less around the same time, the periods for peak blooms in Tohoku and Hokkaido are much later. Located significantly to the north of Tokyo, these regions don’t reach the temperatures required for the cherry blossoms to peak out of their buds until late April or even early May. This means that you can still enjoy one of Japan’s most spectacular phenomena even if you can’t nail the standard timing of mid to late March. It’s baffling how many people fail to realize just how much of a difference there is between northern Japan and the rest of the nation.
Now, as much as I’d like to keep these to myself, I really do need to mention that there are a few special spots up in Tohoku, especially in Sendai that truly transcend all the rest.
I went to 三神峯公園 for a jog and also just to watch the full bloom of Sakura here in Sendai. It was beautiful seeing a sea of whitish-pink flowers blooming in one tree. All I can say is that Spring is the best season of the year.
JOHN
