Home Transmission Sakura in different seasons. Sakura is a symbol of Japan. Cultural significance of sakura

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Sakura in different seasons. Sakura is a symbol of Japan. Cultural significance of sakura

April 26th, 2013 admin

There is a pleasant aroma of spring in the air of Evpatoria, fruit trees and bushes are blooming. Sakura bloomed with delicate pink flowers in Evpatoria in the park near Theater Square. In October last year, ten Japanese cherry trees were planted on the initiative of the liquidators of the Chernobyl accident, in memory of the victims of the Chernobyl disaster and the tragedy at the Japanese nuclear power plant Fukushima-1.

Japanese cherry blossoms bloomed in many cities of Crimea - in Kerch, Simferopol, Sevastopol, Yalta, and the Nikitsky Botanical Garden.

Eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring, sakura rejoices in the gentle sunlight and amazes the eyes of passers-by with the lush splendor of its blossoms. The cherry blossoms won't last long, don't miss this wonderful moment, hurry up to enjoy the beauty of its wild blossoms.

Sakura in Japan is the name given to the ornamental finely serrated cherry tree and its flowers. There are more than 305 species of sakura in Japan, which bloom from March 27 to mid-April in all shades of pink and white. Sakura variety. Somei Yoshino blooms with white flowers, the petals of which are colored pale pink near the stem.

Blooming similar to that of white sakura can also be observed in Russia, when the closest relative of sakura, white bird cherry, blooms in the spring.

The bird cherry blossomed under my window,
It was as if snow had wrapped the branches in silver.

Sakura for Japan is a symbol of beauty, youth and transience of life. Admiring the amazing beauty of sakura blossoms, the Japanese think about the frailty of life and the impermanence of existence - very soon the petals of beautiful sakura flowers will fall and the wind will pick them up and carry them away to God knows where.

In Japanese poetry, sakura is associated with passing youth and lost love. Just as sakura quickly fades, the freshness and delicate, touching beauty of flowers fades, the beauty of youth fades just as quickly, and human life passes just as quickly.

Sad world!
Even when the cherry blossoms...
Even then…
(Kobayashi Issa)

In the Land of the Rising Sun, cherry blossoms are a national holiday. Forecasters and biologists make forecasts for the timing of flowering for different varieties of sakura, starting from the south to the north of Japan. On television in the daily news they report where the cherry blossoms began, and tourists go there. Wanting to extend the cherry blossom holiday for a month, the Japanese follow the cherry blossoms from city to city from south to north of the country.

Anxiety is taking over!
Where, at what peak
Surrounding mountains
Long-awaited cherry blossoms
Will they be the first to bloom?
Saigyo

The holiday dedicated to admiring cherry blossoms is called Hanami in Japan. Hana in Japanese is a flower, but in the word “hana” the Japanese include the concept: “flourishing”, “the best time of life”, “pride”. The word "hana" is included in many compound words - "hanamuko" - groom, "hanayome" - bride, "hanabanashi" - brilliant, "hanagata" - theater star.

The Japanese tradition of the Hanami holiday goes back to the distant past. The first mention of the cherry blossom festival in the emperor's palace dates back to the 3rd century. The Japanese aristocracy, admiring the cherry blossoms, enjoyed music, writing poetry, light drinks, and parlor games. Sitting under the sakura, the poets composed “chains of poems” known as “renga”.

To those who love good wine,

I'll take the branch as a gift.

In those ancient times, sakura was a symbol of the harvest, and its blossoming announced the beginning of field work to plant rice. Caring for the future harvest, Japanese peasants made offerings to cherry blossoms. The favorite folk holiday of viewing cherry blossoms coincides with the arrival of the New Year in Japan.

According to ancient folk belief, every sakura flower tells about the fate of a child. In Japan, there is a sad legend that tells how the elder of the village of Sakura brought his children to the ruler Shogun to show their beaten backs, with traces of beatings with a bamboo stick inflicted by the servants of the cruel Prince Hotta. Ruler Shogun punished Prince Khot, but the prince harbored anger at the complainant and planned to take revenge on him. Prince Hota ordered Sakura and his children to be secretly captured, tied to a cherry tree and beaten to death with sticks. The legend says that since then, sakura in Japan has bloomed pink, stained with the blood of innocent children.

The Japanese believe that the souls of deceased ancestors live in sakura flowers. Contemplating the beauty of a flowering tree, the Japanese mentally communicate with their ancestors, ask them for advice and help, talk to the blooming sakura and listen to what the flowering branch whispers when the wind blows, showering their heads with rain of cherry blossom petals.

The blossoming of Sakura has always inspired and continues to inspire poets, musicians, and painters who glorify the beauty of the blossoming of youth and the transience of life.

The famous Japanese poet Kobayashi Issa (1763–1827) is considered one of the best masters of haiku poetry.

“How ridiculous
Life,” I thought, stopping
At the cherry blossoms.
***

Spring is leaving
But they hesitate in indecision
Late cherries.

***

“Cherry trees, cherry blossoms!” -
And about these old trees
Once upon a time they sang...

***
There are no strangers between us!
We are all each other's brothers
Under the cherry blossoms.

***
This is amazing -
Live as if nothing had happened
Under the cherry blossoms.

April is a month that people in Japan look forward to with special impatience. Cherry blossoms begin here, which means every resident of the Land of the Rising Sun has the opportunity to enjoy this stunning spectacle.

“Hanami” is the Japanese name for the tradition of admiring flowers. For the Japanese, the time when the delicate sakura buds bloom is a national holiday.

Thousands of people flock to parks and squares to see this beautiful spectacle with their own eyes. In Japan, it is customary for the whole family to go on picnics, so that under the arches of flowering trees everyone can enjoy the harmony reigning around them.

The hanami tradition has its roots in the distant past. The first mentions of it date back to the 8th century. Even then, the custom of admiring sakura flowers was widespread among the elite. Gradually, hanami became popular among samurai. And in the 17th century the tradition began to have a national character.

For the Japanese, hanami is not just a beautiful natural phenomenon. The tradition also has deep philosophical implications. Behind the short, but so impressive flowering, it is common to see the transience of life and its changeability. And for the Japanese, the blossoming buds of trees symbolize the beginning of a new life.

The beauty of sakura has always been interpreted in the Land of the Rising Sun as a gift of nature that should be appreciated and praised.

The Bushido samurai code describes the blossoming of Japan’s favorite tree: “In terms of beauty and grace, on which the aesthetic principles of our culture are based, no other flower in the world can compare with the sakura flower.”

Every year, with the beginning of flowering in Japan, a real “hunt for sakura” begins. Since this phenomenon is short-lived, the Japanese are trying their best to seize the moment and enjoy hanami to the fullest.

Japan is a country whose climate varies depending on the region, so in certain parts of the country flowering begins at its own time. Already at the end of February you can see cherry blossoms in the south of the country - on the island of Okinawa. In Tokyo, hanami starts in April. And in May, sakura blooms in the north - on the island of Hokkaido.

To ensure that all residents of the country have the opportunity to fully admire the delicate flowers, at this time the country’s meteorological services issue detailed reports on the movement of the flowering front. They must be broadcast on television.

Hanami only lasts about 7-10 days. In order for sakura to preserve flowers longer, the temperature should be 18 degrees Celsius, and the weather should be dry and windless. Naturally, such natural conditions do not occur every year, so sometimes the moment of flowering lasts only 4-5 days. During this time, the Japanese try to capture in their memory a moment of the spring miracle.

The largest events dedicated to hanami are held in Tokyo. The real centers of this event are considered to be the main Tokyo city parks - Shinjuku and Ueno.

The first of them can boast a record number of cherry trees - more than 1,500 specimens of 75 varieties are planted here, the flowers of which differ in shape, color and size. Of course, when all these trees begin to bloom at the same time, the park turns into a kind of snow-white and pink cloud, striking visitors with its beauty.

Hanami fans stock up on provisions, take blankets with them and go to parks to admire all the colors of cherry blossoms and communicate with loved ones. This is how the Japanese celebrate the beginning of spring, thanking higher powers for the opportunity to see such beauty with their own eyes.

Hanami is a deeply personal, but at the same time, emotional experience that unites the entire nation. People are focused, but at the same time joyful and positive.

This is an amazing time that can tell a lot about the Japanese national character. No one shouts here, litters (guests are given special baskets and garbage bags), or tries to attract attention.

The whole atmosphere of hanami is permeated with harmony, purity and respect. People walk, talk, go boating or simply contemplate the beauty around them.

In the evening, traditional Japanese paper lanterns are lit in the parks.

If you want to understand the Japanese, try at least once to look at a spring flower as a work of art, presented by nature for the joy of people. It is no coincidence that cherry blossoms are a symbol of Japan, its pride and, to some extent, the personification of the national character.

Cherry blossoms in Japan are one of the main attractions of the land of the rising sun. Every year, millions of tourists come here to see with their own eyes how these trees bloom. At this time, Japanese landscapes seem simply magical.

Cherry blossom festival in Japan

Cherry blossoms have been a real holiday for the Japanese for centuries. Here it is called Khanami, which means admiring flowers. The tradition of admiring flowers appeared at the imperial court, and then spread throughout the country. The Japanese saw a deep meaning in it: beauty and the rapid fading of flowers were identified with human life.

Initially, Hanami was dedicated to the plum blossom - ume, since it begins to bloom first and symbolizes spring, the beginning of a new life, rebirth. Ume flowers are no less beautiful than sakura. Ume was introduced from China, so after Japan began to seek national identity in the ninth century, trying to escape the influence of Chinese culture, sakura became more revered. However, many Japanese people start Hanami with ume flowering.

During the holiday, it is customary not only to take walks in parks, but also to have picnics right under flowering trees. Places with beautiful views are occupied at night or early in the morning. Such gatherings are arranged not only by families, but also by employees of Japanese companies. They come to admire the beauty of flowering trees together with their colleagues and superiors.

Hanami doesn't just happen during the daytime. In the evening, the lights are turned on under the trees, creating a romantic atmosphere and you can enjoy the views until the night.

To maintain tradition, new trees are regularly planted in parks, alleys, temples, schools and other public places.

Cherry blossom time in Japan

It is worth noting that, despite its popularity among local residents, Hanami is not a public holiday, and its days are not weekends.

The cherry blossom period in Japan lasts 7–10 days, and its start time depends on the region. In the south, in Okinawa and Kyushu, sakura blooms at the end of February, in Tokyo and Kyoto - in the last days of March, and by the end of April - beginning of May, flowering begins in Hokkaido.

Residents are informed about the approximate dates of the beginning of cherry blossoms in a particular region on television, radio or in newspapers. People are also told about places for Hanami and where the most trees grow. In Japan, there is a cherry blossom association that annually ranks the best places to admire the flowers.

The best places to admire cherry blossoms

Tokyo.

Shinjuku Gyoen is an imperial park. One of the largest and most popular parks in Tokyo. The largest number of sakura trees are planted here - 1,500 trees of different types. Some trees bloom earlier than others, so blooms can be observed in the park for a long time. The townspeople love this park very much and often have picnics here.
Ueno Park. In this park, cherry blossoms bloom several days earlier than in other places in Tokyo. More than 1000 trees grow along the alley leading to the National Museum. This park is also a favorite place among tourists because it is home to one of the oldest zoos in Japan.
Kitanomaru Park, which is located near Edo Castle. In the park you can rent a boat with oars and enjoy the beautiful views.
Sumida Park, located next to the famous Senso-ji Temple and Tokyo Sky Tree. The park is divided into two parts by the Sumida River. Evening boat rides are especially popular during cherry blossoms, when lights are turned on under the trees.

Kyoto.

Philosophical path. It runs along the canal leading to Ginkaku-ji Temple and the Nanzen-ji complex. About a hundred sakura trees grow here. When they bloom, the trail looks like a tunnel of flowers. Many tourists come here to see this beauty with their own eyes.
Maruyama Park, located near Yasaka Shrine, is a popular place for Hanami in Kyoto. The park area is very attractive and ideal for walking. The special feature of this park is the huge sakura, which is more than 70 years old.
Heian Temple grounds. Behind the temple there are many cherry blossoms, which bloom several days later than in other places in Kyoto.

Osaka.

Kema Sakuranomiya Park, which runs along the Okawa River. This park is considered the best in Osaka because it has a huge number of flowering trees. You can not only relax in the park itself, but also take a boat ride on the river.
Osaka Castle. This castle itself attracts many tourists, but during the cherry blossom season the place becomes even more visited. The large garden next to the park makes it possible to have a picnic right under the trees.
Japanese Mint. Various varieties of cherry blossoms grow here, which in mid-April. The yard is open to visitors for a week, only during the cherry blossom season.

Hanami is a Japanese national tradition of flower viewing that originated in the imperial court. The courtiers spent hours under flowering trees, enjoying socializing, light drinks, parlor games and writing poetry.

In the short and brilliant period of flowering of spring flowers, plums and sakura, which lasts from 7 to 10 days, a deep meaning was seen in the Land of the Rising Sun. Falling flower petals were identified with the beauty and transience of life, with courage and purity of thoughts.

Admiring the cherry blossoms - O-Hanami

It's easy to admire cherry blossoms. Just enjoy the flowers on one tree or a whole group of them. From afar, trees look like clouds, and the beauty of individual flowers is revealed at close range.

Sakura in bloom looks especially beautiful in combination with castles, temples and shrines. In some places, the trees are illuminated in the evening, which creates an amazing spectacle.

O-Hanami traditionally includes not only a walk in the park, but also a picnic under flowering trees. The cherry blossom festival has been celebrated in Japan for many centuries, and today is celebrated in many public and private parks and gardens.

In especially popular parks, picnic areas are reserved in advance. A common practice in Japan is to lay out a mat early in the morning with the name of the group and the time they plan to occupy it, or one of the group stays there all day and waits until the others arrive.

Employees of companies specially set aside a day for admiring sakura, something like a corporate event. That is, on this day they go to work, but spend it in the park with their boss and co-workers, having a picnic with various goodies and alcoholic drinks. They even sing special songs composed on the occasion of Hanami.

Cherry blossom season in Japan in 2015

According to forecasts, cherry blossoms in Japan in 2015 are expected to begin around March 21 in Kyushu and March 26 in Tokyo and Kyoto. The flowers will fully open in about a week.

Below is a cherry blossom forecast based on data from the Japan Weather Association and japan-guide.com. Naturally, the forecast is only approximate, and weather changes can significantly affect the period of flower opening. Follow the news; already at the beginning of March, news in each individual area reports the timing of cherry blossoms, as well as the number of trees in each of the parks.

Location	Open season	The best period to observe flowering
Tokyo	26 March	from April 1 to April 9
Kyoto	26 March	from April 2 to April 10
Kagoshima	March 25	from April 1 to April 9
Kumamoto	21 March	from March 29 to April 6
Fukuoka	21 March	from March 28 to April 5
Hiroshima	March 25	from March 31 to April 8
Matsuyama	March 23	from March 29 to April 6
Takamatsu	26 March	from April 1 to April 9
Osaka	26 March	from April 2 to April 10
Nara	March 27	from April 2 to April 10
Nagoya	March 25	from April 1 to April 9
Yokohama	March 27	from April 2 to April 10
Kanazawa	April 3	from 7 to 15 April
Nagano	11 April	from 15 to 23 April
Fukushima	April 9	from 12 to 20 April
Sendai	12th of April	from 7 to 25 April
Aomori	April 24	from April 28 to May 6
Hakodate	May 2	from May 5 to May 12
Sapporo	5 May	from 7 to 14 May

The best places to admire cherry blossoms in Japan

Tokyo

Shinjuku-Gyoen

10 minutes walk from JR Shinjuku Station.
Entrance fee: 200 yen. Opening hours: from 9:00 to 16:30

Shinjuku Gyoen Park is home to over a thousand cherry trees of over a dozen varieties, including numerous early and late flowering trees. There are large lawns for picnics in a tranquil atmosphere. This is a great place to admire the cherry blossoms, for those who really miss spring.

Ueno Park

A few steps from Ueno Station. Free admission

This is one of the most crowded, noisy and popular places in Japan for the cherry blossom festival. Ueno Park has more than 1,000 trees along the street leading to the National Museum and around Shinobatsu Pond. The cherry blossoms in this park usually open 1-3 days earlier than in other places in Tokyo.

Chidorigafuchi

Kudansita. Free admission

Hundreds of cherry trees line the moats of Edo Castle and Kitanomaru Park, creating one of the most amazing cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo. Here you can rent a rowing boat and enjoy an unforgettable boat trip.

Sumida Park

A few steps from Asakusa. Free admission

The park extends several hundred meters along the banks of the Sumida River overlooking the Tokyo Sky Tree. You can also watch the cherry blossoms here from the water. The walk will be especially romantic in the evening, when the trees are specially illuminated.

Kyoto

Path of the Philosopher

Free admission.

Filosov's Path is a pleasant path to a canal that connects two amazing historical temple complexes: Ginkaku-ji Temple (Silver Pavilion) and Nanzen-ji Temple. More than 100 cherry trees grow here.

Maruyama Park

Near Yasaka Shrine. Free admission

Maruyama Park near Yasaka Shrine is Kyoto's most popular public park for cherry blossom viewing. Its centerpiece is a large weeping cherry tree. The tables of many cafes are located under tree branches.

Heian Temple

Behind the main building of the temple. Admission: 600 yen. Opening hours: from 8:30 to 17:30

Behind the main building of Heian Shrine there are a large number of weeping cherry blossoms, making this place one of the best places in Kyoto. These cherries reach full bloom a few days later than others, which will be of interest to tourists who miss the main flowering season.

Osaka

Kema Sakuranomiya Park

Sakuranomiya Station (JR Loop Line). Free admission.

More than 5,000 cherry trees are planted in the park along the Okawa River for several kilometers. This seemingly endless row of cherry trees can be viewed from the embankment or from a ship on the river. The park itself also has plenty of lawns for picnics under the trees.

Castle in Osaka

Castle park in Osaka. Admission is free (except Nishinomaru Garden).

As you approach Osaka Castle, more than 4,000 cherry trees are planted. A particularly good place for a picnic is Nishinomaru Park in the western part of the castle citadel, with wide lawns, views of the castle baths and illuminated trees in the evening.

Expo 70 Commemorative Park

Banpaku Kinen Koen Station.
Admission: 250 yen. Opening hours: from 9:30 to 17:00 (longer during the cherry blossom season).

The site of the 1970 Osaka World's Fair is now a large public park with over 5,000 cherry trees. The cherry blossoms are very beautifully illuminated in the evenings.

Japan Mint (Osaka Mint Bureau)

10 minutes walk from Temmabashi station.
Admission is free and open to the public for one week only.

More than 100 varieties of sakura grow in the park at the Osaka Mint. The cherries here bloom in mid-April, about a week later than the main flowering season. The courtyard is open to the public only during cherry blossom season.

Yokohama

Sankei-en Garden

10-25 minutes by bus from Negishi or Sakuragicho Station.
Admission: 500 yen. Opening hours: from 9:00 to 17:00 (entrance until 16:30).

Sankei-en is a classic landscaped Japanese garden with a central pond. Here you can watch not only the blossoming of several hundred cherry trees, but also admire the historical architecture of Japan.

Mitsuike Park

Mitsuike Koen Kitamon Bus Stop (city bus No. 104 from Shin-Yokohama or TSURUMI Stations). Free admission.

Mitsuike Park is one of the TOP 100 best places to watch cherry blossoms in Japan. The park has three ponds surrounded by more than 1,000 cherry trees.

Kamakura

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

A short walk northeast of Kamakura Station.
Free admission.

Danzakura Alley, more than 500 meters on the approach to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Temple, is lined with cherry trees, creating one of the most spectacular “cherry blossom” tunnels in Japan.

Izu Peninsula

Kawazu village

The village is one of the most beautiful places in the Tokyo area to admire the cherry blossoms. Cherries here bloom, as a rule, in late February and early March, which attracts many tourists who miss spring.

Five Fuji Lakes

Northern shores of Kawaguchiko

15-25 minutes by retro bus from Kawaguchiko Station.

Amazing scenery awaits you on the northern shores of Lake Kawaguchiko. You will never forget the cherry blossoms, the smooth surface of the lake and the view of Mount Fuji. The best view will be provided to you in the early morning; it is at this time that the rays of the sun illuminate the area most beautifully.

Chureito Pagoda

15-20 minutes walk from Shimo-Yoshida Station
Free admission.

This pagoda is relatively recently built on the hills opposite Fuji. During the cherry blossom season, the pagoda seems to be surrounded by a sea of flowers. The best lighting is early morning.

There are countless more places throughout Japan where viewing the cherry blossoms will leave you with an unforgettable experience. Numerous parks at castles, temples and sanctuaries where the centuries-old Hanami tradition is preserved.

As we said, stay tuned for more news. In Japan, the cherry blossom period is heavily covered in the media, so the opening dates of the flowers are announced in advance. And make sure to book your hotel on time before numerous tourists take up the available seats.

March 18th, 2015 , 04:21 am

Cherry blossoms in Japan are not at all like the blossoms of some apple or bird cherry trees in Russia. Can you imagine that the news broadcast of Channel 1 would be interrupted by an emergency message: “Attention! The first bird cherry blossomed in the Mikhailovsky Garden an hour ago! Turning on our correspondent from the scene...”?

In Japan, such things are par for the course. During the cherry blossom season, the whole country seems to go crazy. From the appearance of the first flowers on the tree to the complete fall of the petals, only a week passes, so you need to have time to see this short-term miracle, photograph it from all possible angles, and most importantly, go to the city park with the whole family for a picnic and indulge in a special activity - admiring the cherry blossoms or, in Japanese, "hanami". At this time, television channels, radio programs, newspapers and Internet sites vying with each other to report in which prefecture, in which city and in which specific garden the cherry blossoms bloomed - so that not a single Japanese, Buddha forbid, misses anything.

The first cherry blossoms bloom on the southern islands already in early February, and the last ones bloom in the very north and in the mountains by the end of May. In Tokyo, hanami time comes at the end of March - beginning of April, and every year, depending on the weather, this period can shift back and forth by a week, or even two. There are special meteorologists who, based on the winter weather and forecasts for spring, make assumptions about when happy days will come in each region, however, like all meteorologists, they are often mistaken. When I was planning my trip, I really wanted to get to the cherry blossom time, so I carefully studied these forecasts. As a result, we flew to Tokyo on March 29 and we were not mistaken - literally on that day the first trees bloomed, and a couple of days later hanami time in Tokyo was officially declared open.

Early in the morning we headed to Ueno Metropolitan Park - one of the most famous and visited parks in Tokyo. It, unlike many other places, is open around the clock, so the first destination for admiring the sakura at 5 am was determined without much difficulty. :-)

If you think that 5 am in Japan is early, you are deeply mistaken. At this time it is already light, people are actively going to work, and in the parks local pensioners and, quite surprisingly, young people are doing morning exercises.

But today is the first day of hanami. The most cunning Japanese take the best places in the park in the evening so that with the first rays of the sun they can begin to enjoy the most beautiful views of cherry blossoms. Right on the paths of the parks they lay out rugs, wrap themselves in sleeping bags - and guard scarce places. It's funny to see the peace on their faces when they wake up. :-)

Look at the photo - the alleys along the edges are literally covered with blue rugs, on which Tokyo residents settled down for the night. The best places, of course, are on the ground, under the trees, but in Ueno the park staff prudently surrounded the lawns with nets - you can’t go there.

The television is turning on - they are preparing to broadcast live from the park.

The trees are decorated with lanterns ahead of time.

At night, these lanterns burn, softly illuminating the branches strewn with flowers. This allows you to admire sakura even in the dark - a special activity called “yozakura” in Japanese. Later, in posts about Kyoto, I will show how fantastic it looks.

Ueno Park is Tokyo's largest urban park. There are not only alleys with trees, but also ponds, temples, museums and a zoo.

Lotuses grow in the pond, but early spring is clearly not their time.

Now here is the kingdom of sakura. A total of 1,100 sakura trees are planted in Ueno Park. In terms of their number, it is in second place in the city.

And although there are 8 times more other trees here, they are almost lost against the backdrop of the blooming splendor.

Despite the early hour, the park paths are full of people.

Families, couples in love, and just single people come here, frantically snatching out cameras every minute.

And I understand them. :-) It took me a lot of effort to select a few photographs from the hundreds that I “shot” in Japanese parks. Well, isn't this a miracle?

There are benches everywhere facing beautiful views so you can sit and admire without feeling tired.

There are many men in business suits in the park. They pretend that they are just walking by, supposedly on business. But if you take a closer look, it’s clear that they are also admiring. These distant smiles on the faces of the eternally collected Japanese cannot be confused with anything.

Pink begins to shine through the whiteness of the flowers - see?

In Ueno, white cherry trees predominate, but there are also pink ones.

However, not all the trees have already bloomed. There are many varieties of sakura, some bloom earlier, some later. Here on this tree the buds are just beginning to appear:

There is another interesting statue in Ueno Park - since we are here, I will show it too. If you've seen the movie The Last Samurai, you probably remember Katsumoto, the charismatic samurai who led a rebellion against the government. In the film he looked like this:

Katsumoto had a real-life prototype, a powerful samurai named Saigo Takamori. In 1877, he actually opposed the imperial troops, raising a samurai uprising, but was defeated, wounded and committed suicide by committing sepukku. A monument to this man was erected in Ueno Park, and, frankly speaking, he looks not at all as attractive as in the film - small, pot-bellied and with a dog. :-)

After walking around Ueno Park, we went to another park in the capital, famous for its sakura - Shinjuku Gyoen. Unlike Ueno, it closes at night, but we made it in time for the opening, at 9 am. We even had to wait a little at one of the entrances to the park, and we were not alone - a dozen Japanese photographers with professional cameras, tripods and huge backpacks of all sorts of photo-stuff were pounding their hooves nearby with impatience. As soon as the attendants opened the gates, they ran at a trot (!) to different corners of the park in order to have time to film the beauty before the crowds of ordinary visitors poured in. I must say that we were glad that we were able to appreciate the beauty of the park in the morning and almost alone. Without people, these places look simply amazing.

Shinjuku Gyoen is the record holder among metropolitan parks for the number of sakura trees. There are 1,500 of them here, with 75 different types. If in Ueno we saw only white and pink sakura flowers, then here we were dizzy from the variety of shades - yellow, greenish, orange, red - and all this is sakura!

In total, more than 20 thousand trees grow here, and some corners resemble pieces of a real forest.

Unlike Ueno, rugs and hanami picnics are not allowed here. And this is a definite plus - nothing distracts you from admiring the sakura. Even your head is spinning and your neck hurts from constantly walking with your head raised up. :-)

However, if you are tired, you can sit on the bench. Fortunately, it’s still morning, there are few people and they are free.

Sakura blossoms so intensely that it seems as if the trees are boiling, covered in white foam.

Single white explosion:

The garden on this site has existed since the 18th century, but it acquired its modern appearance about 100 years ago. During the war, of course, it suffered greatly, but the Japanese painstakingly restored everything that was destroyed. Now three zones can be distinguished here - a French regular park, an English landscape park and, of course, a traditional Japanese one.

There are very nice pavilions here.

They offer unique views.

Some trees are so old that they require staking.

And some are carefully wrapped up in case of cold weather.

But time passes - and the park begins to fill with crowds of visitors. And you have to forget about privacy.

It's time to show you the last of Tokyo's parks - Hama Rikyu. We were here already in mid-April, when the usual cherry blossoms in Tokyo had already bloomed. However, there are late varieties growing in this garden, and some of them amazed us.

The park itself is located next to one of the skyscraper areas. And this immediately brings back memories of New York's Central Park, but the similarities perhaps end with the skyscrapers. :-)