Its spring in Brisbane, and the markets are overflowing with a beautiful abundance of spring blooms. And one of our favs at this time of year are bunches and bunches of blossoming branches.
Every spring in the northern hemisphere, Japan transforms into a pastel dreamscape when cherry blossom season — or sakura season — arrives like a beautiful, pink-tinted notification from Mother Nature herself. And just like any good notification, it demands your attention… and maybe a picnic blanket.
Why the Hype?
The Japanese cherry blossom isn’t just a flower — it’s a national event. The fleeting beauty of sakura symbolizes the impermanence of life, which is poetic and all... but mostly it’s a great excuse to cancel your plans, head outside, and eat too many snacks under a tree.
Enter hanami (literally “flower viewing”) — the time-honored tradition of lounging under cherry trees with friends, food, drinks, and just enough regret to keep it interesting the next morning.
Where to Catch Peak Petal Action
If you're planning a sakura adventure next spring in Japan, here are some top spots to unleash your inner blossom-chasing romantic:
Ueno Park (Tokyo)
Over 1,000 cherry trees. Over 1,000 people trying to get the perfect Instagram shot. Bonus: street food that will change your life (or at least your waistline).Maruyama Park (Kyoto)
Home to the famous weeping cherry tree, which sounds sad but is actually fabulous and very photogenic. Ideal for a hanami party with a historic backdrop and possible sightings of geisha.Hirosaki Castle (Aomori)
This one has a full-blown moat of petals. Not kidding. It's like someone dumped an entire pink cloud into the water. Truly next-level sakura.Mount Yoshino (Nara)
With over 30,000 cherry trees, this mountain basically invented “go big or go home.” Pro tip: wear good shoes and be ready to hike for your blossoms (and your selfies).
Cherry Blossom Party Survival Kit
If you're attending or crashing a hanami party (don’t worry, it's encouraged), you’ll need:
A tarp (blue ones are traditional, and very aesthetic… in a “camping chic” kind of way).
Bento boxes or konbini snacks (if you haven’t had fried chicken from 7-Eleven in Japan, are you even living?).
Drinks. Lots of them. Usually sake or beer. Or both.
Tissues — for allergies, emotions, and/or spilled sake.
Layers. Cherry blossom season is beautiful… and unpredictably chilly.
Final Petal of Wisdom
Cherry blossoms only last about one to two weeks, so timing is everything. The Japanese Meteorological Agency literally tracks the sakura front like it’s a celebrity. (And honestly, it kind of is.)
So if you find yourself in Japan during sakura season, get outside, grab a tarp, and join the nation in celebrating nature, beauty, and snacks. It’s fleeting, fabulous, and frankly, one of the best parties on Earth.
Just remember: if you wake up the next morning with sakura petals in your hair and no idea how they got there… you did it right.
