Osaka blooms:sakura are a national obsession.Credit:iStock
This year,I have my sights firmly set on the Land of the Rising Sun. Any flower tragic will tell you Japan is cherry blossom central,the prime destination for petal pilgrimages. The word ‘hanami’ was invented to describe the act of flower viewing,specifically during cherry blossom season. Sakura,as the trees are known in Japan,are a national obsession,flowering from the southernmost tip of the country to the northern reaches of Hokkaido from March to May.
To celebrate the occasion,there’s Asahi beer in pink cans,sweet treats made with shredded flowers,food festivals,blossom-inspired nail art,a limited-edition Diptyque candle that smells like ‘a spring night in Japan’. Count me in,petal.
Tokyo lights:Japan celebrates the season with pop-up events and one-off products.Credit:iStock
But how to time a visit,months or even years in advance,when nobody knows exactly when peak bloom will occur? Bringing to life the perfect travel pictures we have in our minds takes planning,intel,ingenuity and a great amount of luck.
Heavily dependent on the weather,organising a trip to coincide with Mother Nature’s whims can feel like trying to catch lightning in a bottle. Timing is everything when it comes to northern lights,Africa’s Great Migration and the fleeting-but-fabulous sakura.
I touch down with fingers and toes crossed at Kansai International Airport,gateway to Osaka and Kyoto. Official peak bloom forecasts,issued by Japan Meteorological Agency,have changed seven times since I booked my flights. I check the weather app so many times,I could be accused of stalking.
Ueno Park,Tokyo:a rail pass lets you detour and go where the weather or blooms are.Credit:iStock
In Osaka,I meet up with Rob Kodama of tour company InsideJapan to get the local lowdown.