As a national symbol, Sakura- the cherry blossom flower has been loved for centuries and is easily found everywhere in Japan. The most common kind of cherry trees in Japan is Somei-yoshino, and it is expanded all across Japan by grafting towards the end of the Edo period.

Sakura (Cherry flower) blossoms when the temperature condition is right. The full bloom comes in 7 days after first blossom. It falls in 5 to 6 days after the full bloom. Central Weather Bureau provides cherry blossom forecast. it's called "initial bloom" when the buds begins to open, and "full bloom" when 80% of the tree has bloomed.

We enjoy "Cherry blossom viewing" by gathering under the branches of cherry blossoms and having party there. At the famous cherry blossom viewing place, it is hard to get a nice spot so some people comes to the place on the day before of cherry blossom viewing and stay night there to prepare for next day's party.

Without staying at the nice spot, it would be also pleasant to walk under the cherry blossom trees. You can enjoy "cherry blossom tree viewing" in various ways like on the cruise, in the private houseboat or at the outdoor cafe. Furthermore, seeing the cherry blossom flowers lightened up at night is wonderful too. Outside the field of famous cherry blossom seeing spot, you can find them around the castle ruin, in the park (even in the small ones,) in the temple, in the shrine, in the school or along the riverside.