Experiencing Japan During Sakura Season
Few travel experiences match the sheer beauty of Japan during the spring cherry blossom (Sakura) bloom. Between late March and mid-April, cities from Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo are transformed into breathtaking pink and white canopies. For Indian travelers planning their first trip to Japan, here is everything you need to know to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Top 4 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (Tokyo): Featuring more than 1,000 cherry trees of various varieties, offering one of the longest blooming windows in Tokyo.
- The Philosopher's Path (Kyoto): A stone path along a canal lined with hundreds of weeping cherry trees, connecting Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji.
- Osaka Castle Park (Osaka): Over 4,000 cherry trees surround the historic fortress walls and moats, spectacular both day and night.
- Lake Ashi & Mt. Fuji (Hakone): Viewing cherry blossoms framed against snow-capped Mount Fuji is an iconic sight best experienced from Hakone ropeway or a pirate boat cruise.
Hanami Etiquette for Indian Guests
Hanami is the traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers, usually with a picnic under the blooming trees. A few key rules to remember:
- Never break, pluck, or shake cherry blossom branches—it is considered deeply disrespectful.
- Always carry a trash bag. Public trash cans are rare in Japan, and taking your waste back to your hotel is the universal norm.
- Remove your footwear before stepping onto blue picnic tarps.
Indian Meals and Vegetarian Options
One of the biggest concerns for Indian families traveling to Japan is finding suitable meals. Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka have world-class Indian restaurants serving authentic North and South Indian curries, naan, and Jain vegetarian meals. On our 9-Day Escorted Japan Group Tour, daily Indian dinners and buffet breakfasts are pre-arranged and included with private coach transfers, ensuring zero food hassle throughout the trip.
