It's Cherry Blossom Season!

If I had to choose one tree to plant and enjoy for the rest of my life, it would most certainly have to be the beautiful cherry blossom tree. Now, it's no secret that I love everything about Japanese culture and tradition, so this wouldn't be a surprise to friends and family, but how can one not appreciate the delicate, yet intense beauty of the cherry blossom? It's unfathomable to me! And the fact that most trees bloom for such a short amount of time in the spring (some as short as one week) gives me all the more reason to be thankful I can enjoy these angelic and graceful flowers when they arrive. The cherry blossom (sakura) is recognized, unofficially, as Japan's national flower and is considered an omen of good fortune and an emblem of love, affection and spring. According to Wikipedia, in 1912, Japan gave 3,020 sakura trees to the U.S. as a gift to celebrate the two nation's friendship. The trees were planted by First Lady Mrs. William Howard Taft and the Vicountess Chinda of Japan in Sakura Park in Manhattan; more were planted along the shore of the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. The most popular variety of sakura in Japan is the Somei Yoshino. It takes its name from the village of Somei in Tokyo and was developed during the late-19th century. There are other varieties, such as the Winter sakura, that begin to bloom in the fall and continue to bloom sporadically throughout the winter; it is said to be a cross between Tokyo Higan cherry and Mamezakura/P. pendula. Yet even more varieties include the yamazakura, yaezakura, and shidarezakura varieties. The yaezakura has large flowers, thick with rich pink petals and the shidarezakura, or weeping cherry, has branches that fall like those of a weeping willow, bearing cascades of pink flowers (from Wikipedia). Each year, the Japanese Meteorological Agency tracks the sakura zensen (cherry-blossom front) as it moves north up the Japanese archipelago with the approach of warmer weather. "The blossoming begins in Okinawa in January and typically reaches Kyoto and Tokyo by the end of March or the beginning of April where it proceeds into areas at the higher altitudes and northward, arriving in Hokkaidō a few weeks later. Japanese pay close attention to these forecasts and turn out in large numbers at parks, shrines, and temples with family and friends to hold flower-viewing parties. Hanami festivals celebrate the beauty of the sakura and, for many, are a chance to relax and enjoy the beautiful view. The custom of hanami dates back many centuries in Japan: the eighth-century chronicle Nihon Shoki records hanami festivals being held as early as the third century CE." If you're planning a trip to Japan to see the cherry blossoms, check out About.com Japan Travel's Cherry Blossom Bloom Map. It shows all the festivals and special events going on in Japan by territory, making it easy to plan your cherry blossom viewing schedule. Can't make it to Japan? Check out the many Cherry Blossom Festivals happening elsewhere around the U.S. and the world!

• National Cherry Blossom Festival
• International Cherry Blossom Festival
• Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival
• Cherry Blossom Festival of Southern California
• Cherry Blossom Festival of Honolulu
• Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia
• Copenhagen Sakura Festival

photo courtesy of dreamstime.com