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s most of the land has a temperate climate and wide variety of flowers can be seen throughout the year, Japan is often called the country of flowers. Many Welcome Inns are located close to the flower-viewing sites. From early spring to early summer, Japanese plum blossom first starts to bloom and cherry blossom follows. Then peach blossom, apricot blossom, azalea blossom, iris and hydrangea bloom one after another.
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herry blossom, the most important flower for Japanese, is considered as a harbinger of spring. Cherry-blossom front moves steadily from south to north. It varies depending on the year, but generally in mid- January cherry blossoms come into bloom in Okinawa and reaches full bloom in northern Hokkaido in mid-May. The media forecast cherry blossom flowering times every day. This useful information urges people to go on a cherry viewing picnic at the best time. Under the cherry blossoms they enjoy eating and drinking in a festive holiday mood. There are many night viewing spots of illuminated cherry trees, too.
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Cherry blossom ©Y.Shimizu/©JNTO |
