Cherry Blossom, JAPAN
Airing Date: Jun 5th, 2006
For one week every year, Japan goes blossom-crazy.
Girls get dressed up, whole families and companies picnic for days under the blossoms - you can even buy cherry blossom chewing gum. This is where the Japanese get back to nature and have a bit of fun while they're at it. The cherry blossom is the flower of flowers to the Japanese people. It is a native flower, and the blossoms have been loved more than 10 centuries. The people love to see not only the single petal cherry blossoms in their prime and freshness, they also relish the beauty of falling snowy petals in the spring breeze. Of all flowers, the cherry blossoms appeal most to the aesthetic taste of the Japanese people.
The Japanese people would never have been essentially so jubilant, cheerful, optimistic and youthful were it not for the beauty of the cherry blossoms. Cherry blossoms have been the theme of songs and poems since time immemorial, and have played an important role in moulding the Japanese character. So universal is their appeal to the moral and aesthetic taste of the people that they are constantly used as motifs on kimonos, lacquer ware, pottery and other decorative items.
During spring, cherry blossom (sakura) viewing parties (hanami), and cherry blossom festivals are held all over Japan. Cherry blossom viewing has been a Japanese custom since the 7th century when aristocrats enjoyed looking at the cherry blossoms and wrote poems. People drink, eat, and sing during the day and night. It's like a picnic. They also bring food, have a BBQ or buy food from vendors. Among various food people eat in cherry blossom viewing, dango is very popular. It is a chewy snack made of rice flour.
In Tokyo, Ueno Park and Yoyogi Park are very popular places for cherry blossom viewing. It's here that there is even competition for the best spot. If you don't like a crowd, you can go to mountains or other quiet places for cherry blossom viewing. Sakura (cherry flower) is the national flower of Japan, and there are over four hundred varieties of cherry trees in Japan. Yama-zakura, Shidare-zakura, Higanan-zakura, Kan-zakura, and Miyama-zakura are very popular.
Further Information
Land of the Rising Sun 14 day tour from $2823 a person. Based on twin share. Includes surcharges, fees & taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply. Includes accommodation transport & guide
Intrepid Travel
Website: www.intrepidtravel.com
Qantas to Tokyo return flights from $1493 ex Melbourne, $1493 ex Brisbane, $1511 ex Sydney, $1581 ex Adelaide and $2525 ex Perth. Prices available online and include surcharges, fees & taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.
Website: www.qantas.com
Prices correct 8/5/06
