I have chased cherry blossoms ever since I can remember.
From the pink drizzles in Korea and Taiwan, the revered DC blooms in Washington, to the pale whites in London, Paris, and even Vancouver — each encounter was but fleeting magic. Back home in the Philippines, cherry blossoms remain rather rare — they are tenderly nurtured in huge pots, blooming in the private gardens of friends who have managed to cultivate the ephemeral flourish in a tropical climate, as it still exudes the same magical spell.
But this spring was different. My two sisters, both based in Valencia, Spain and long fascinated by Japan’s culture, had not experienced the beauty of its awakening in its homeland. It was time — a siblings’ meticulously-designed itinerary was in order. This one was rooted in bonding, rediscovery, and nostalgia and was devoted to cherry blossoms, iconic landmarks, and their culinary treasures.
In the land of the shoguns and ikebana, the flowering cherry tree — fondly known as sakura — is a national symbol. It is a reminder of life’s fleeting moments, beauty, and renewal. The blossoms, which typically bloom from late March to early April, last but a few days — and are then quickly scattered by pouring rain and gusts of wind, a metaphor for transience, which is a core Japanese philosophy. For the curious, it is called mono no aware, roughly translated as an empathy toward things.
The global allure of cherry blossoms took root in 1912, when Japan gifted over 3,000 sakura trees to the United States as a gesture of goodwill. These were planted in the periphery of Washington D.C.’s Tidal Basin. Ironically, after World War II, the US returned the favor — cuttings from the capital’s trees were transported back to Japan to assist to restore Tokyo’s bomb-damaged groves.
No matter what others say, there’s nothing like witnessing the blooming of the flowers in their birthplace. Here are the four cities we toured:
Osaka: Castle blossoms
We began in Osaka, where Osaka Castle stands in timeless majesty, framed by hundreds of cherry trees in full bloom. The castle grounds were bustling — locals on picnic mats enjoyed hanami, their term for flower viewing, with laughter echoing beneath pink and white canopies. We even sighted a statue of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, in honor of one of the three unifiers of premodern Japan, dignified, surrounded by petals all around.
Not far off, we enjoyed a stroll through Kema Sakuranomiya Park, which offered a riverside promenade lined with over 5,000 cherry trees! The fallen flowers formed a carpet underfoot, and the branches above felt like a pink-and-white cloud. Mesmerizing.
Kobe: Seaside miracle
Speaking of wonder, a short ride brought us to Kobe, home of the famous Kobe beef, among many others. At Kitano Ijinkan, we wandered among the former residences of foreign merchants from the Meiji era, set against a pastel sky. However, what took the cake was the nearby Kobe Port. It offered not just seaside tranquility, but likewise cherry trees juxtaposed against docked ships in a marriage of culture and commerce.
Kyoto: Sacred Temples
Our next stop: Kyoto, where tradition and the green seamlessly intertwine.
At the Kinkakuji Temple, the famed Golden Pavilion shimmered on a lake, with cherry blossoms reflecting softly on the water’s surface. At Kiyomizu-dera, we stood on the temple’s wooden stage overlooking a valley of blooming sakura — a sacrilege when one misses it!
In the evening, we then embarked on a paseo through the Nishiki Market, indulging in favorite grilled mochi, the acquired taste matcha sweets, and other season specialties for a sweet goodbye.
Tokyo: Urban pink and sacred peak
We ended our holiday in Tokyo, beginning with a day trip to Lake Kawaguchi. We took a serene cruise with Mount Fuji and its snow-capped peak towering in the background, framed by cherry blossoms.
Meanwhile at the Arakurayama Sengen Park, we climbed our way to the Chureito Pagoda, capturing that quintessential postcard view of Japan: pagodas and mountains and white and pink trees in harmony.
But we needed to move. Back in the bustling capital, we wandered through Rikugien Garden, an Edo-period masterpiece where sakura trees mirrored the elegance of the past. At Meiji Jingu Shrine, we offered a quiet prayer beneath ancient trees.
At night, we took a walking tour of the Ameyoko Market, which burst with countless food offerings! We sampled seafood, tried out
sakura-themed treats and even bought edible souvenirs. And just nearby, Asakusa’s Sensoji Temple stood regally as always, fronted by the festive Nakamise Shopping Street.
As we boarded our flight home, I thought of those blossoms we left behind — petals now falling in parks, carpeting shrines, floating on brooks and rivers. The cherry blossoms reminded us of the value of presence, joy of rediscovery, and the importance of togetherness.
And like the sakura, our memories will last long after the final petal has fallen.