SAKURA | A Guide to Cherry Blossom Season in Japan!

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夕月や一かたまりに散る櫻

moon at twilight,
a cluster of petals falling
from the cherry tree
- 正岡子規 Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902)

Cherry blossoms have captured the imaginations of poets and artists for millennia.
The delicate flowers bloom only fleetingly – for about one week – before falling to the earth in a shower of pale pink petals.
And it’s this fleeting beauty which captures the essence of the Japanese aesthetic mono no aware.

SAKURA & MONO NO AWARE

Mono no aware is feeling sensitivity to the bittersweetness of impermanence. It’s about seeing the beauty in the ephemerality of life.
Just as the cherry blossoms are most beautiful when the petals start to flutter to the earth, life is preciously fleeting, and the even the most beautiful moments are temporary.

Mono no aware is a sweet, nostalgic, wistful emotion tinged with sadness.

But it also inspires a deep appreciation for life, with a renewed sense to cherish every moment.

And so, cherry blossoms have come to symbolise the transience of human life, hope, and renewal.

SAKURA & MYTHOLOGY

In Shinto mythology (Shinto being one of the primary religions in Japan), the goddess of cherry blossoms is known as Konohanasakuya-hime.

She was said to be so radiantly beautiful that when Ninigi-no-Mikoto (who himself was the heavenly grandson of Amaterasu Ōmikami - the Sun Goddess - and ancestor to the first Japanese Emperor) was walking along the ocean and caught glimpse of Konohanasakuya-hime, he begged her father for her hand in marriage.

Her father offered his eldest daughter’s hand in marriage instead, who was Iwa-Naga-Hime – the Rock Princess.

However, Ninigi-no-Mikoto was in love with Konohanasakuya-hime and chose to wed her instead.

The descendants of Ninigi-no-Mikoto and Konohanasakuya-hime were humankind, and it is because of this union that our lives are beautiful but fleeting, like cherry blossoms, instead of enduring and eternal like stone.

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>> Check the weather before you set up your picnic, and make sure to dress warm.

>> Research where you'd like to hold your hanami party - there are local rules differ from park to park (some have a curfew, some don't allow drinking or barbecuing, so make sure you know in advance).

>> Shrines, temples, and castles make a beautiful backdrop for sakura flowers. Some places also light up cherry trees in the evening for night viewing (this is known as yozakura).

>> Reserve your place early! It gets crowded quickly and in major parks, many people stake their area as early as the first train (around 5AM).

>> Make sure you know where the nearest bathrooms are, and the lines can be incredibly long with a huge wait time, so factor that in!

>> Bring a tarp or picnic blanket, cutlery, a garbage bag, and anything else you might need. 

>> Take your trash with you! Remember, in Japan most people take their rubbish home with them as there are few public bins. Cleanliness is an important cultural ideal, and littering is completely unacceptable (and fined heavily). You will also need to sort your trash as there are strict garbage separation rules!

>> Never damage a cherry blossom tree by pulling off flowers or branches.

>> As for food, it's customary to have a bento box lunch, and indulge in sakura sweets like hanami dango, sakura mochi, and sake. If you prefer not to drink alcohol, you can also indulge in sakura lattes available at many cafes! 

>> Make sure to bring some Japanese Yen (JPY) for street food, shrine visits, and anything else!

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PARFAIT

Sometimes called the king of desserts, parfaits are a beautiful tower of delicious desserts usually served in a tall glass.

Japan known for honouring the seasons and nature, and this shines through even with parfait desserts – white peach is popular in summer, sweet potato and chestnut in autumn, strawberries (including rare white strawberries) in winter, and of course, sakura in spring.

Don’t forget to also try traditional Japanese flavours like matcha (green tea), hojicha (roasted green tea), kuro goma (black sesame), and azuki (sweet read bean). Japanese souffle cheesecake is also a common parfait topper, as is Japanese Purin (custard pudding)!

The price for Japanese parfaits can vary depending on where you go – you can get mini-parfaits at konbini (Japanese convenience stores) for about ¥400 JPY ($4.85AUD) if you’re on a budget, or go to cafes for mid-range parfaits, which cost anywhere between ¥900-¥1300 JPY ($10.90 to %15.75AUD).

If you want to indulge in a dessert more luxurious, you can go to a specialty café or get a giant parfait for ¥2700-¥4500 JPY ($32.75 to $54.50AUD).

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MELON PAN

A sweet, sugar-crushed Japanese bread.

You can pick these up for cheap in Japanese konbini (convenience stores), or get specialty melon pan at the famous Asakusa Kagetsudō.

On Mt Fuji’s 5th level, you can even get a Fuji-shaped melon pan!

Melon Pan can cost anywhere from ¥128 to ¥200 JPY ($1.55 to $2.40AUD) depending on where you go.

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HARAJUKU CREPES

Harajuku has a million crepe shops with a tonne of different flavours!

Some of the most popular flavours are matcha, cheesecake, and strawberry.

Harajuku crepes can cost anywhere from ¥300 to ¥600+ JPY ($3.60 to over $7.30AUD) depending on your toppings!

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SEASONAL FLAVOURED SOFT CREAMS

Japan is known for its funky flavoured soft serve ice creams!

Japanese regions often have a local specialty food, and the soft creams usually reflect this.

Some examples include wisteria at Ashikaga Flower Park, wasabi in Shizuoka, sake, and more!

Soft Creams are also pretty inexpensive, and cost around ¥330 to ¥550+ JPY (around $4 to $6.70 AUD).

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SHUUKURIIMU (Japanese Custard Cream Puff)

These are one of the most popular sweet treats in Japan!

Shuukuriimu is also known in other regions of the world as “cream puffs” or “profiteroles” and are a buttery choux casing with a delicious, rich custard filling.

You’ll find these in any konbini, or can visit Totoro Cream Puff Factory for a Ghibli-inspired dessert!

Shuukuriimu can cost anywhere ¥200 to ¥500 JPY ($2.40 to $6AUD).

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COFFEE

While you're there, may as well splurge on a Sakura Latte! After all, these are only found in Japan during cherry blossom season. It's worth it!

Otherwise... you can always go for Vending Machine Coffee (it's surprisingly good!)
That'd set you back maybe ¥120 JPY (about $1.45AUD).

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WATER

Water in Japan is safe to drink, so you can always go for tap water!

If you’re more of a bottle water person, it’s also fairly inexpensive at around ¥120 JPY ($1.45AUD).

Another option to stay hydrated is to instead go for a Pocari Sweat, Aquarius, or Calpis! These unique Japanese sports drinks are hugely popular in Japan, and cost around ¥150 JPY (about $1.80AUD).

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SOFT DRINK

More of a soda person? Well in that case, we'd recommend trying Japanese Melon Soda.

It's a unique, sweet flavour and found all around Japan! Grape Fanta is also super popular.

These sodas can be found in vending machines everywhere for around ¥150 JPY (about $1.80AUD).

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TEA

Surely you cannot go to Japan without drinking some delicious Japanese tea - whether it be a matcha tea ceremony in Kyoto or a bottle of Royal Milk Tea from the vending machine.

Don't forget, vending machines can also dispense hot teas! Pretty phenomenal.

Vending Machine Tea: ¥150 JPY (about $1.80AUD)

Tea Ceremony: anywhere from ¥2,400 yen to ¥10,000 yen ($30 - $121AUD)

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TRANSPORT

To get around, you'll probably have a mix of public transport and taxis.

Tourists should grab the Japan Rail Pass if they're doing lots of travelling across Japan, which gives you unlimited use for a set amount of days!

Taxi - budget for about ¥4090 JPY ($50 AUD) on a busy day

JR Pass - ¥29,650 ($363 AUD) for a 7-day pass.

DISCLAIMERS

All costs are based on estimated approximate costs from major metropolitan cities and exchange rates as of March 29, 2023. Average prices indicate a typical estimated cost you would pay for the indicated item. Prices may vary from time to time, and in different cities and towns within Japan.

This blog is provided for information only and does not take into consideration your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether the information and suggestions contained in any blog entry are appropriate for you, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs. While we take reasonable care in providing the blog, we give no warranties or representations that it is complete or accurate, or is appropriate for you. We are not liable for any loss caused, whether due to negligence or otherwise, arising from use of, or reliance on, the information and/or suggestions contained in this blog.