Japan: In the land of the cherry blossom

05 April 2015 - 02:00 By Adrian Bridge

Adrian Bridge joins celebrations to welcome the arrival of a fragile floral beauty with a special place in Japanese hearts. After a harsh winter, the people of Tokyo celebrate the arrival of spring and the much-loved sakura - or cherry blossom - seen as the national flower and a great symbol of hope and renewal.Popular viewing spots in the city include the parks at Ueno and, close to the district of Harajuku, the Yoyogi. For a few weeks, these will be thronged with people coming out to marvel at the brilliant displays of colour - primarily pink but also white and deeper shades bordering on red - and the sweet fragrances of a flower that, like Mount Fuji, occupies a special place in the hearts of the Japanese.The viewing phenomenon - also called the hanami - has been celebrated for centuries. It is often accompanied by the consumption of food and drink, and the singing of songs that celebrate the transient beauty of the cherry blossom, which usually flowers for one to two weeks, starting in late January on the tropical islands of Okinawa and stretching into May in the northern reaches of Hokkaido.mini_story_image_vleft1For Japanese students, this period coincides with the end of one school year and the start of the next; for older Japanese, the festival also heralds a new beginning.The arrival of the cherry blossom is keenly anticipated, with round-the-clock news reports providing updates on exactly where and when the fabled flowers will appear, along with all manner of sakura-themed promotions. Advertisements on display in the Tokyo Metro suggest that drinking Kirin beer will enhance the hanami experience and, should you be feeling peckish, McDonald's has introduced a "cherry blossom burger", complete with "pink buns".People do not wait for the formal opening of the sakura season. In Tokyo, spring-like weather brings out crowds at the Shinjuku Gyoen, a leafy sanctuary just minutes away from one of Tokyo's most frenetic hot spots.With even just one or two cherry trees already in bloom, teenage girls coo their delight as they pose for the ultimate "selfie", while more seasoned visitors, armed with cumbersome photographic equipment, spend hours trying to secure the best angles and lighting.story_article_right1In a city not known for its abundance of natural beauty (or, indeed, green spaces), there is a lovely lightness in the air; the joy of renewal."The delicate nature of the cherry blossoms is not only a reason for a good party but is also seen to symbolise the ephemeral nature of life, an aspect of Japanese culture that is often associated with Buddhism," says Kylie Clark, of the London office of the Japan National Tourism Organisation."The temporary nature of the sakura is a reminder to all of us that all living things soon pass and we should make the most of our lives while we can." - © The Daily Telegraph..

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