Bushcat's Cherry Blossom in Japan

Spring in Japan is heralded by cherry and plum blossom. The blossom advances up Japan as a wave, with the urban hotspots of Osaka and Tokyo leading by a few days. The blossom is at its peak for only 4 or 5 days, and during that time millions of people visit famous viewing spots to appreciate the sight. Of course, sharing the view with millions of people means things get a bit cramped, and it may be necessary to camp out for a couple of days to stake a claim to the patch of ground that you and your friends intend to sit on whilst partying.

Samurai used to liken the ideal warrior's life to cherry blossom: a thing of great, but impermanent, beauty. During the Meiji Restoration when the Shogunate was replaced by the Emperor, cherry trees in what was then Edo were cut down to break the association of spring with the Samurai spirit.

Kyoto

Food stalls in the temple Braziers Cherry blossom Cherry blossom Miidera Temple Miidera Temple Pagoda at Miidera Temple Japan's largest cherry tree in Kyoto Japan's largest cherry tree in Kyoto Cherry blossom

Hieizan Sakamoto

Cherry blossom in Hieizan Sakamoto Cherry blossom in Hieizan Sakamoto Cherry blossom in Hieizan Sakamoto

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