2020 Cherry Blossom Japan Dates (Sakura 2020)

Japan meteorological agency published the 1st forecast on possible dates for cherry blossom across Japan for the year 2020 and it would be a bit early as compared to last year.

Normally the agency publishes the flowering start date and full bloom dates for this beautiful Sakura flower (Somei Yoshino, to be precise). They collect this info based on 1000 viewing (Hanami locations) from Hokkaido to Kagoshima. Hanami is explained towards the later part of this post.

The main schedule is as follows:

For Tokyo, As you can see this year’s Kaika (meaning flowering start) is from March 19th and Mankai (meaning full bloom) by 27th March.

As the temperature from west to North increases, the bloom also travels from warm to cold temperatures. Hence one can see bloom till 5th May, but one need to visit Hokkaido (North of Japan) for it.

Feel free to help your friends and family by sharing this info for understanding the right time tor this year to visit Japan for cherry blossom.

More About the flower and tree

A cherry blossom is a flower of many trees of genus Prunus. The most well-known species is the Japanese cherry, Prunus serrulata, which is commonly called sakura.

The flower itself is very small and very delicate but when you see it in abundance it’s beauty becomes unparalleled. The Japanese also get their spiritual strength from this flower’s ephemeral short life of a week or so & frugal nature and is used a lot in philosophy, culture and arts.

Sakura came to embody Wabi-sabi philosophy and Shinto ideals of impermanence, hope, and renewal and are now one of Japan’s most iconic natural symbols.

Hanami – What is it ?

Hanami (花見 – はなみ)is made up two words Hana meaning flower and Mi meaning to see, which literally makes it “Flower Watching”. Hanami is the centuries-old practice of picnicking under the full-bloomed Sakukura flower trees. This is a very old custom and said to have started from a period called “Nara-Period” which was during the years 710 to 794. Earlier this custom was restricted to the elite class only of Japan like the Imperial Court, but soon it was allowed for Samurai class too. Then by the Edo period, common people also started to enjoy this and from then it has become a sought after period of the year when friends and family party under these beautiful trees. People have their blue sheet booked as early as possible in the morning or even a night before then enjoy food and drinks with heartful talking and laughing.

Different ways to enjoy Hanami
1. As describes earlier, one can gather as families, friends under the tree and enjoy the food and drink

2. People asl just prefer to walk under these amazing trees in parks and Hanami places. Just a stroll in such an area fills your heart with nature`s beauty.