Flowers Bloom in Season, See You in Japan Next Year
Author: Mr. Guo, MBA from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, senior HR professional manager, trainer.
An unprecedented pandemic has made people around the world witness history, and also revealed the warmth and coldness of human relationships and the unpredictability of life. Starting with the lockdown of Wuhan on January 23, we missed the Spring Festival that should have been celebrated worldwide, missed the hot pot and barbecue that should have been enjoyed with gusto, and also missed the spring scenery that should have been blooming in a riot of color. As a public service advertisement on CCTV says, once the pandemic is over, every day is Spring Festival, and hot pot and barbecue are gradually coming back. But if you miss the blooming season, you have to wait another year.
Spring is full of fragrance, but when it comes to the most phenomenal and ultimate, cherry blossoms top the list. While people are still longing for the cherry blossoms at Wuhan University, my heart is still set on the cherry blossoms of Japan. It's not that I worship foreign things and believe foreign cherry blossoms are necessarily more beautiful than China's. What I yearn for, besides the cherry blossoms themselves, is the exquisite sentiment.
As for cherry blossoms, China has them, Japan has them, the United States has them, and Germany has them, but in my experience, Japan has the richest variety of cherry blossom species. Red, white, pink; single-petaled, double-petaled; upward-growing, drooping—endless varieties abound.
The reason I say appreciating flowers is about the sentiment is that it's not just looking at the cherry blossoms themselves. The pavilions, towers, mountains, rivers, and local customs that complement them together create the mood and artistic conception. In recent years, many Chinese cities, to boost tourism, have begun to create cherry blossom forests, with rows of cherry trees lined up like soldiers for tourists to review. When the spring wind blows, petals fall just as profusely, raining down, but you always feel something is missing. The flowers themselves are innocent. If there is a lack of sentiment, it can only be attributed to those overly eager, straightforward, and shallow flower planters.
Japan is one of the countries I have visited most frequently. There are cherry blossoms in spring, red leaves in autumn, snow and hot springs in winter. And the Japanese are truly the best at utilizing and setting off these natural landscapes, with thoughtful touches and a sense of ritual everywhere, full of refinement. The Japanese have also taken cherry blossom viewing to the extreme. Each year, starting in February, they release the first version of a cherry blossom forecast map, followed by a second and third version as the weather changes, listing the timing from budding to full bloom across various regions. Following this map to plan your cherry blossom viewing itinerary is almost foolproof.
The first time I went specifically to see cherry blossoms was in Tokyo, but an unexpected cold rain delayed the blooming, so I missed the full bloom. Cherry blossom trees are everywhere in Japan, but from a landscaping perspective, the most famous spots in Tokyo are Ueno Park, Meguro Night Sakura, and Chidorigafuchi. Tokyo is a city where land is precious and consumption is very high. I recommend staying at a hotel near the Meguro River, which has convenient transportation, plenty of dining options, and moderate prices. Step out and you're at the Meguro River, with cherry trees lining the banks. When the streetlights come on at night, a boat cruise to view the cherry blossoms is most romantic.
But when it comes to sentiment, I strongly recommend Osaka and Kyoto, with their many temples, gardens, and historical sites. Cherry blossoms paired with these places truly complement each other, creating stunning beauty.
If you have enough time, experiencing the Randen Sakura Tunnel is also nice. The tram is just an ordinary tram, but there is a section of track lined on both sides with cherry trees. When the tram reaches this section, it slows down specially for passengers to enjoy and take photos. However, the best viewing spots are not on the tram but by the roadside or on bridges. So I suggest you take the tram once to get a feel, then get off at the next station and walk back, finding a higher spot from which to take photos—that's the most impressive.
Similarly, there is a very famous sightseeing train in Arashiyama, Kyoto. The train runs on the mountain, and there are many cherry trees on the mountain, but they are wild, not in large clusters, and hard to capture, so the main view is the mountain scenery. I don't particularly recommend taking it.
Also, the famous Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto is a must-visit. I suggest going around three or four in the afternoon, when the light is good and the view is great, and photos turn out nice. By the time you go down the mountain, it's almost dark, and viewing the night cherry blossoms at Kiyomizudera is also exceptional.
During cherry blossom season, be sure to taste the seasonal cherry blossom drinks and pastries—pink, sweet, and lovely. Equally lovely are the Japanese women in gorgeous kimonos, whose texture and craftsmanship are far superior to the kimonos worn by ordinary tourists for commemorative photos.
Every year, the earliest cherry blossoms bloom in Okinawa, and the last in Hokkaido. After one place, there's always another. But overall, it all depends on fate and luck, after all, the wind and clouds are unpredictable. An unexpected storm or cold snap can cause the blooming to advance or delay.
Speaking of which, isn't flower viewing like that? Three parts determined by fate, seven parts through hard work, and the remaining ninety parts all rely on luck!
