Cherry blossom, or sakura (桜), is a national treasure in Japan. Each year, hundreds of thousands of Japanese people and tourists flock to cherry blossom viewing areas for hanami (花見) or flower viewing parties. This is not a new trend as flower viewing has been a pastime for many centuries. For a special treat, transport…

Cherry blossom and plum blossom trees are iconic for their pink(ish) flowers and are deeply rooted in culture especially in Japan, Korea, and China. Plum blossoms, however, are less significant in Japan when compared to cherry blossoms. However, originally it was plum blossom that were admired and celebrated in the royal court of Japan and…

Spring is probably the best season of the year. It is the time when life is at its fullest in everything! The flowers are in bloom, birds are happily chirping, and lovers can be seen taking walks at the park. Spring is basically nature’s way of saying “let’s party!” Don’t miss out on the fun!…

Are you getting ready and planning your trip for the upcoming spring season? Spring is when colors come into play, flowers bloom, and for some, a season that symbolizes new beginnings. Do you know where to go? Japan is a very famous destination during this time of year as Japanese spring is synonymous with cherry…

Japan’s cherry blossom season is a spring of inspiration for film-makers around the world, who capture and interpret this beautiful time of the year in their own style and language. The essence of cherry blossoms is beautifully presented in these 3 films – a documentary on endurance and survival, an animated tale of fleeting joy…

It’s that time of year again! Predictions for the first and full bloom of the beautiful cherry blossoms, more affectionately known as “sakura” in Japan, have been floating around for a while since the beginning of the year. Given that it has been a comparatively warm year, the blossoms are expected to emerge earlier than in…

It is almost spring in Japan and stores are already getting ready to welcome it by bringing some colour and warmth into the grey,cold and monotonous landscape of February. Sakura (cherry blossom) themed goods and treats, spring limited editions are already making their appearance in stores, the soft pink colour of the cherry blossoms gaining…

Have you seen the famous sakura or cherry blossoms in Japan? Have you experienced attending a hanami (flower viewing) party or festival? The flower’s beauty is just simply captivating, right? If you are awed by the beauty of these flowers during the daytime, imagine how more fascinating it would be to see them at night.…

Shinjuku can be quite intimidating with its bright lights, enormous train station, glamorous people and an array of host clubs and bars. It is also a unique district of Tokyo; it is the gay capital and the home of the red light district. If you’re visiting Tokyo, this fascinating area is well worth a visit.…

Marunouchi is a modern-looking district found at the very heart of Tokyo, just a stone’s throw from Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace. The name Marunouchi translates as “inside the circle” and originates from its location inside the palace walls of the Edo Castle hundreds of years ago. Originally inhabited by some of the country’s…