Japan’s earliest cherry blossom festival！ Six spring festivals in Okinawa offer delightful blossom strolls

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network Editorial Team

Taiwan’s plum blossom season is coming to an end, making way for the arrival of spring symbolized by cherry blossoms. In Japan, cherry blossoms typically bloom from late March to early April, but due to latitude and climate, Okinawa and Shizuoka see them as early as January and February. Many cherry blossom festivals are held then. If you can’t wait to experience the romantic charm of Japanese cherry blossoms, seize the chance and head to Okinawa and Shizuoka to join Japan’s earliest cherry blossom celebrations！

The earliest cherry blossoms in Japan bloom in Okinawa, where the cherry blossom season generally starts around late January. Blossoms progress from north to south across the main island, and the cherry trees here are mostly kanhi-zakura (also known as kanzan-zakura). These flowers hang bell-shaped, facing downward, and range in color from light peach pink to deep pink. During this time, various cherry blossom festivals are held. While it's common for Japanese people to gather under the blossoms with friends for drinks, Okinawans prefer the leisurely pleasure of simply strolling among the blooms.

● Naha Cherry Blossom Festival 2015
The cherry blossom front in Okinawa moves from north to south. After the northern festivals kick off, the south welcomes its brilliant blossom season starting in February. The “Naha Cherry Blossom Festival 2015” is held at Yogi Park, which attracts many local visitors every year who enjoy picnics under the blooming trees. During the festival, there are also flower markets and other activities, allowing you to spend a relaxing and fulfilling day immersed in the beauty of the floral season.

【Info】 Dates: February 11, 2015 – February 15, 2015
Location: Yogi Park, Naha City

● Kin Castle Cherry Blossom Festival
Kin Castle Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hosts its 8th annual “Kin Castle Cherry Blossom Festival” this year. During the day, vast seas of blooming cherry trees interweave with the gradient blue of the sea and sky, creating a breathtaking scene. At night, the blossoms and castle walls take on a dreamy ambiance under the illumination.

【Info】 The Motobu Yaedake Cherry Blossom Festival is famed for having Japan’s “earliest-blooming” cherry blossoms. Starting mid-January, around 7,000 Ryukyu kanhi-zakura trees burst into bloom along the path from the entrance to the summit of Mt. Yaedake. Held at Sakuranomori Park in the mid-slope area of Mt. Yaedake, the festival includes the crowning of this year’s Motobu Cherry Blossom Queen and various events such as concerts.