One of the most anticipated sights in Japan is the annual arrival of the cherry blossoms – or sakura – each spring. Sakura are Japan’s unofficial national flower and hold a special place in Japanese culture. These delicate blossoms come in tons of different colors including white, shades of pink, and even yellow, and make their fleeting appearance each year from late winter to early spring.
There are over 200 varieties of cherry blossoms and here are 10 of the loveliest.
Somei Yoshino Sakura – Photo Credit: ajny
Somei Yoshino
This species is one of the most common and most popular and can be found throughout Japan. The Somei Yoshino is known for its light fragrance and its pale pink flowers, so subtle that they almost appear white. Americans might recognize this sakura as one of the varieties that were gifted to the US by Japan and blooms each year around the Tidal Basin in Washington DC. This variety peaks in mid-April in Tokyo.
Weeping Cherry – Photo Credit: Leung Chopan
Shidarezakura
The Shidarezakura, or “Weeping Cherry” variety, gets its name from its distinctive dropping branches that resemble a weeping willow. The flowers cascade into blossoms of a rosy pink, which symbolize spring’s promise of rebirth. These uniquely beautiful trees, blooming in late March to early April, are one of the oldest varieties. The Miharu Takizakura tree, dedicated as a National Monument in 1922, attracts thousands of visitors to Fukushima each spring and is believed to be over 1000 years old.
Kikuzakura – Photo Credit: Alice De Figueiredo
Kikuzakura
This variety is named after the chrysanthemum, or kiku, for its resemblance to Japan’s beloved flower. Each puffy blossom can hold almost 150 pale pink petals. The Kikuzakura is one of the latest blooming types, and visitors to Tokyo can often take in these striking trees as late as early May.
Kawazuzakura Sakura – Photo Credit: SLIMHANNYA
Kawazuzakura
The Kawazuzakura is actually a wild variety, as opposed to the cultivated varieties such as the Somei Yoshino. Itakes its name from the town of Kawazu on the Izu Peninsula, which hosts nearly two million visitors at its annual Kawazu cherry blossom festival from late February to early March. As the timing of the festival suggests, this is one of the earliest blooming species, opening early in February and peaking during the annual festival.
Ichiyo Sakura – Photo Credit: shinnji
Ichiyo
The Ichiyo or “one leaf” sakura is named for the single pistil in the center of the blossom that resembles a leaf. This flower actually has two sets of petals, and the large flowers are found in groupings of three or four. The leaves were once used in a special cherry-flavored drink. Today, a good spot to view these lovely trees as they peak in mid-April is at the Imperial Palace East Gardens. There are about 20 ichiyo nestled among other more common varieties.
Kanhizakura Sakura – Photo Credit: Σ64
Kanhizakura
This variety is known for its characteristic bell-shaped flowers and its deep fuchsia petals. The Kanhizkaura can be found throughout Japan but it is most common in the Ryuku Islands, where it is the symbol of the City of Nago on Okinawa. In Tokyo, these bloom in March, but in the warmer Southern climate of Okinawa, these blossoms can open as early as January. You can see these trees at the Nago Cherry Blossom Festival in January of each year or at Inokashira Park in Tokyo. The blossoms on this hardy variety can last as long as a month.
Ukonzakura sakura – Photo Credit: SLIMHANNYA
Ukonzakura
One of the more rare finds in Japan, this unusual variety can be spotted at the Koishekawa Botanical Gardens in Tokyo. The Ukon sakura are not the typical pink of other varieties and can easily be recognized by its distinctive petals, which range in color from a pale yellow. This variety takes its name from the Japanese word for the orange-yellow spice turmeric, said to be a perfect cure for hangovers! Petals on this blossom, which peaks in mid-April in Tokyo, number about 15 petals per flower.
Okame Sakura – Photo Credit: Mariusz S. Jurgielewicz
Okame
Known for its small size, this variety of sakura is very popular to keep in places like yards and home gardens and can also be found lining city streets in Tokyo. Named for the Japanese goddess of good fortune, this variety was actually hybridized by a British botanist, who hoped to create a small, sturdy variety from two wild species. The results were this early-blooming flowers with multi-colored leaves in pale to vibrant pink.
Fugeznou Sakura – Photo Credit: Olga Subach
Fugenzou
Blooming with petal counts ranging from 25 to 50 per flower, this sakura’s name contains the kanji for Samantabhadra or Fugen, a Buddhist bodhisattva and Zou, the white elephant that he is often depicted with. It is said that the petals of the flowers resemble an elephant’s ears, hence the name. This variety is one of the oldest, dating back to at least the 15th century.
Edohigan Sakura – Photo Credit: Joel Neff
Edohigan
Among the earliest to bloom, this sakura borrows its name from the Japanese spring equinox, called Higan. When the blossoms appear in mid-March to early April, they are a vibrant pink, but then turn white before fluttering to the ground, symbolizing the briefness of life. Because of its resistance to snow and wind damage, Edohigan live longer than most varieties. The 2000-year-old Edohigan in Yamanashi is Japan’s oldest tree.
They are a majestic sight each year throughout Japan. Do as the locals do: pack a picnic and enjoy hanami, or the traditional Japanese custom of “flower viewing.” Cherry blossoms are a must-see for visitors to Japan…but don’t miss it! This seasonal spectacle is only around for a few days each spring.
