SAKURA

The cherry blossom season in Japan usually starts in late March to early April, but this year, the sakura (cherry blossom) season came a bit early. Japan has recently announced the official start of the cherry blossom season.The blooming of cherry blossoms, also known as sakura, is a highly anticipated event in Japan and attracts many tourists from around the world. 

 

Cherry blossoms are a symbolic flower of the spring, a time of renewal, and the fleeting nature of life. Their life is very short. After their beauty peaks around two weeks, the blossoms start to fall. There is a cultural significance to the cherry blossom trees in Japan, which represents the fragility and beauty of life. The cherry blossom only blooms during the spring for a short time and at the peak of their beauty, the blossoms will start to fall, serving as a stark reminder that although life is beautiful in all its aspects it is also ephemeral and short.

 

Japan is home to more than 200 different kinds of cherry blossom, with the most popular one being the ‘Somei Yoshino’, which is named after the village of Somei in Tokyo. It has white flowers with a hint of pink, which forms a beautiful canopy that lasts no more than a week. Cherry blossoms are also used to make a popular beverage in Japan called the ‘Sakurayu’ or Sakura tea, which are pickled blossoms that are immersed and served in hot water. They are traditionally served at weddings since the tea is clear without any turbid fluid, which is said to symbolise a healthy marriage.