In last week’s blog post, I shared a virtual visit to the flower fields of Lisse in the Netherlands. I’m going to stick with that theme and share another treasured travel memory. This week’s destination is the Aizu region of Japan, in Fukushima Perfecture, to see the cherry blossoms.
Flower viewing, known as hanami, is a beloved tradition in Japan. Every spring when the cherry trees bloom, people flock to the sakura (cherry blossoms) to admire and celebrate their fleeting beauty. The blossoms last only a week or two making them even more special. Bloom times vary from location to location and from variety to variety extending the overall season from late March to early May.
Many years ago I had the opportunity to partake in this beloved tradition. I was living in Singapore at the time and had a need to travel to Tokyo for business reasons. My colleague and I extended our trip over the weekend and joined a local tour group for the hanami trip. (Special thanks to my friends, and former colleagues, Judy and Xiaoyan!)
It’s no secret I love flowers so a trip celebrating cherry blossoms was guaranteed to be enjoyable. But it was so much more than I expected. The sakura were beautiful. The sights were picturesque and steeped in history. The tour was well organized and executed flawlessly. If I recall correctly, Judy and I were the only participants who did not speak Japanese. Luckily our friend Xiaoyan was able to translate for us. We spent Saturday night at a ryokan, a traditional Japanese hot springs inn, in Aizu Ashinomaki Onsen. We relaxed in the hot springs baths and feasted on a traditional multi-course dinner. Staying in a ryokan was an experience in and of itself. The trip was authentically Japanese and a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Here are my favorite photos from my hanami trip in the Aizu region of Japan. In this lovely scene, the sakura are beautifully showcased by the moody waters, spring greenery and distant mountains.
Here’s a closer look at the beautiful pink and white blossoms suspended over the water.
One of the places we visited was Tsuruga Castle in the city of Aizu-Wakamatsu. The original castle, which was built over 600 years ago, played a key role in samurai and medieval cultures.
The ancient stone walls provide a striking contrast for the delicate flowers.
Another highlight of the tour was visiting the Miharu Takizakura. This ancient cherry tree, a weeping higan, is over 1,000 years old. It is designated a National Natural Monument of Japan. It is absolutely stunning!
Understandably, we were not the only people who wanted to view this ancient wonder. In the below photo you can see visitors politely queuing up for their turn to get closer to the tree.
These sites were spectacular but I was most delighted to find a quiet country lane near our ryokan. I spent a few early morning hours under my own sakura canopy.
Without a doubt, if I were to take this trip today I would have a lot more (and I like to think better) photos to share. Regardless, I hope this post helps convey the magic of the sakura. My hanami experience taught me that nature’s seasons are cause for celebration. The cycles of the natural world are reassuringly predictable—spring will come and the cherry trees will bloom. No matter where I’m located, I look for their fleeting beauty. Here are a few more recent sakura photos.
More Info
You can learn more about hanami and the sites mentioned in this post on the Japan Guide website.
You may also enjoy the following posts:
. A Virtual Visit to Lisse about the flower fields of Lisse in the Netherlands
. The Allure of the Waterlily includes a visit to the village of Giverny France
. Charleston’s Glorious Window Boxes showcases spring in this beloved city of the US Southeast
. Spring Into a Garden Tour features the springtime gardens of Athens Georgia
. Camellia Road Trip shares a recent road trip throughout the US Southeast to visit 5 outstanding camellia gardens.
Today’s Takeaways
1. The cycles of the natural world are reassuringly predictable—especially in uncertain times.
2. Specific flowers can bring to mind special places and memories.
3. Consider reliving your own travel memories while you stay-in-place.
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