Don’t miss it—next chance is in 17 years！ Japan’s most stunning night cherry blossom spectacle: “Lunar Eclipse Hanami”

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Department
 

As cherry blossoms bloom across Japan, their pink and pale white hues paint the nation in beautiful spring colors. Many popular hanami spots have also coordinated special evening illuminations to launch night cherry blossom viewing events, showcasing a completely different charm from the daytime. The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan recently announced that on April 4, a “red total lunar eclipse” will occur. During this time, visitors will be able to enjoy the magical sight of a red full moon alongside the fully bloomed night cherry blossoms. And if you miss this one, you’ll have to wait another 17 years to see it again.

The bright moon we usually see is the result of sunlight reflection. When the moon passes through the Earth’s shadow, and sunlight is blocked by the Earth, a total lunar eclipse occurs. However, because the Earth has an atmosphere, sunlight is scattered and refracted as it passes through the atmospheric layers—shorter blue wavelengths are scattered away, while longer red wavelengths are refracted onto the moon’s surface, causing the moon to appear red. Therefore, during a total lunar eclipse, the moon doesn’t go completely black like during a solar eclipse, but instead takes on varying shades of red, making it a truly unique sight.