Group tour to Japan. March. Sakura! Tour to japan on sakura with a rest at the thermal resort sakura blossom in japan tours

Take a cruise to Sakura




Sakura is so popular in Japan that it could become a symbol of the Land of the Rising Sun. Hundreds and thousands of cherry trees of different varieties are planted in the gardens and parks of the main cities of the country. And every self-respecting village considers it its duty to have its own cherry blossom alley. When the time comes, sakura blooms throughout Japan, moving from South to North, starting in late January in tropical Okinawa and ending in harsh Hokkaido in late May. Gently pink petals whirl in gardens and parks, along river banks, around Buddhist temples and samurai castles, paint the slopes of Mount Fuji and other Japanese volcanoes in their unique colors of spring.

The most common Japanese cherry blossom variety is Somei-Yoshino, a special variety that blooms much earlier than leaves. In the midst of flowering, clusters of flowers appear on the bare branches. And if you go into such a sakura grove, you get the feeling that you are in a soft pink cloud. Apparently this is exactly what the Japanese were striving for, planting sakura all over the country from the middle of the 19th century.

Now hanami, the time to admire sakura has come. It's time for a walk and a picnic under the most beautiful tree. And your Japanese Boss will not mind joining a corporate trip, of course, with sake, sushi, sashimi and other delicacies of Japanese cuisine. Every Japanese person knows where the most beautiful views are nearby, in their area, city, as well as in the prefecture and throughout the country.

Sakura is ghostly and fleeting. The Japanese say that sakura reminds people of the fragility of everything around. Perhaps this is why, with your great love for nature and all that is beautiful, it is very rare to find sakura in the personal garden of a Japanese house. It is much more common to see a pine tree there as a symbol of strength and longevity.

Few people know that in Japan, sakura is considered a male flower, a sign of courage and courage, a symbol of a samurai. After all, the petals of the Japanese cherry blossom fall without fading when they are still full of life. This is how the metaphor of a Japanese samurai warrior was born, ready to die in his prime. And that's why some of the best places for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) are the gardens and parks around Samurai castles, such as Matsue Castle or Hirosaki Castle, where the first cherry trees were planted 300 years ago and where the famous Sakura Festival is held annually, Port Aomori) ...




Due to the huge public interest, the National Meteorological Agency of Japan, during the cherry blossom period, in addition to the usual forecasts, talks about the beginning of the flowering and stages of flowering of Japanese cherry trees in various regions of the country.

Flowering usually begins in late January - early February in Okinawa, then moving with spring to northern Japan. At the beginning of April, there is a full bloom on the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku, at the end of March, sakura blooms in Tokyo, in the first ten days of April - in Kyoto and Osaka, in Sakiminato and Matsuya - in mid-April. By the beginning of May, a wave of cherry blossoms "reaches" the island of Hokkaido, the city of Hakodate and Sapporo.

The whole country is watching the movement of cherry blossoms to the north. On TV, after the weather forecast, they will definitely say where the sakura is already blooming in full swing, and where it will bloom from day to day.

We, too, will be watching Sakura with you and our tourists as they cruise Japan this spring.

Here we will be constantly updating information following the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The forecast is preliminary and will be updated over time. Please note that sakura bloom can start both earlier and later than the indicated period. The exact timing will depend on weather conditions: average daily temperature, winds, humidity and other conditions.

Kyushu, Shikoku, Chugoku

Kansai

Kanto and Chubu

Tohoku and Hokkaido

Cherry Blossom Cruises 2020

Our Princess Cruises cover all of Japan from South to North. While traveling on cruises, you can see cherry blossoms in the main cities and the most remote and inaccessible corners of Japan, where it is not so easy to get on land tours.

Group tour to Japan. March. Sakura!

March 22-28, 2020 (7 days / 6 nights)

Tokyo - Nara - Kyoto - Kanazawa - Tokyo

Pink "snowfall"

When billions of petals fall from cherry trees, it can appear as if the ground is covered with pink snow. Suddenly, the petals break off the branches and fly in a graceful dance to the ground. A strong gust of wind picks up the "snow flakes", spreading them everywhere. The Japanese call this phenomenon sakura fubuki, or pink "snowfall". The ground is covered with a delicate pink carpet. Fallen sakura petals - a spectacle of rare beauty - give peace and tranquility.

"Hanami", admiring cherry blossoms, is the most beloved tradition of the Japanese. But, despite the fact that literally "khanami" translates as "admiring flowers", it is no less strongly associated with a good snack and drink at a picnic with family or friends under the flowering trees.

Now in Japan there are more than 300 types of sakura, although no more than 10 species are natural. Sakura flowers have also been a favorite subject of many famous artists. They appear in countless paintings, poems, and later in photographs and films, not to mention the fact that sakura is the most popular ornament for women's kimonos.

But not only the Japanese appreciate the beauty of cherry blossoms. Anyone who visits Japan during this time will be delighted to see trees in bloom fluttering in the wind ("hanafubuki"), as well as cherry blossoms in the light of the moon or paper lanterns ("yozakura"). This impression will remain in memory for many years.

21 March. Moscow - Tokyo.

Departure from Moscow to Tokyo by a regular flight of Aeroflot or JAL.

March 22. Tokyo.

Arrival at Narita airport.
Meeting with a Russian speaking guide.
Transfer to Tokyo.
14:00 Arrival in Tokyo.
Lunch.

18:00 Arrival at the hotel, accommodation.

March 23rd. Tokyo.

Breakfast at the hotel.

9:00 Sightseeing tour of Tokyo.
The Shinjuku Skyscraper District, Omoide Yokoch's "memory lane".
Meiji Jingu Shrine.
Harajuku Youth District.
Asakusa area, Sensoji temple, Nakamise souvenir street.
Akihabara Electronics District.
The fashionable Ginza district is the “showcase of the city”.
Imperial Palace Square.

During the excursion - lunch.

18:00 Return to the hotel.

March 24. Nara.

Breakfast at the hotel.
8:00 Check out from the hotel.
8:30 Transfer to Kyoto by Shinkansen high speed train.
11:00 Arrival in Kyoto.
Transfer to Nara.

12:30 Sightseeing tour of Nara.
Todaiji Temple with the Big Buddha statue.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
Tame deer park.

During the excursion - lunch.

17:00 Transfer to Kyoto.
18:30 Arrival at the hotel, accommodation.

Hotel: "HOTEL INTERGATE KYOTO SHIJO SHINMACHI", 4 *.

March 25. Kyoto.

Breakfast at the hotel.
9:00 Check out from the hotel.

Tour of Kyoto.
Kinkakuji Temple ("Golden Pavilion").
Ryoanji Temple with a rock garden.
Temple of "pure water" Kiyomizudera.
Sanjusangendo Temple of a Thousand Buddhas.

During the excursion - lunch.

17:10 Transfer to Kanazawa by express train.
19:15 Arrive in Kanazawa.
Transfer to the hotel.
20:00 Arrival at the hotel, accommodation.

Hotel: "KANAZAWA TOKYU HOTEL", 4 *.

26 March. Kanazawa.

Breakfast at the hotel.
9:00 Check out from the hotel.

Guided tour of Kanazawa.

Kenroku-en Japanese garden.
Kanazawa Castle.
The area of \u200b\u200bancient samurai houses.
Medieval tea lane Higashi-chai.

During the excursion lunch.

16:00 Transfer to Tokyo by Shinkansen high speed train.
18:30 Arrival in Tokyo.
Arrival at the hotel, accommodation.

Hotel: "MOXY TOKYO KINSHICHO", 3 * or "COURTYARD TOKYO STATION", 4 + *.

March 27. Tokyo.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free day. Additional tours will be offered for those who wish.

March 28. Tokyo - Moscow.

Breakfast at the hotel.
Meeting with a Russian-speaking guide in the hotel lobby.
Check out from the hotel.
Transfer to Narita Airport.
Departure to Moscow on a regular flight of Aeroflot or JAL airlines.

The cost of the program for 1 person in a group

Payment in rubles at the company's exchange rate at the time of payment.
In brackets is the price calculated at the rate of the Central Bank + 2% as of March 5, 2020.

Included in cost:

• hotel accommodation;
• excursions with a Russian-speaking guide;
• entrance tickets according to the program;
• meals: breakfasts in hotels and lunches during excursions;
• transport service according to the program, railway tickets for high-speed shinkansen trains;
• visa application.

Additionally paid:

• air flight Moscow-Tokyo-Moscow;
• medical insurance.

Tokyo

Arrive Tokyo at Narita or Haneda Airport. Meeting with a Japanese driver at the airport and transfer to the hotel by shuttle bus with other tourists (without a guide). Self check-in at the hotel of the selected category. Please note that in most Japanese hotels, check-in takes place after 15:00 / 16:00. If you wish, you can order an early check-in for a fee, but this must be done in advance, at the stage of booking the tour.

Optional tour (for tourists arriving in Tokyo no later than 13:00) - an evening tour of Tokyo with a Russian-speaking guide (estimated time of the excursion is from 17:00 to 20:00). Excursion cost - 165 USD / person.

In the evening, when the lights are on, the city is transformed. In late March - early April, you can admire a rare sight: the blossoming cherry blossom alleys in the light of the evening illumination. You will visit the world famous luxury shopping district of Ginza, cross Tokyo Bay on the picturesque Rainbow Bridge, visit the artificial island of Odaiba, which offers stunning views of Tokyo and the Bay, and see the recognized symbol of the city - Tokyo Tower. You will also visit the Shibuya area, where the famous monument to the faithful dog Hachiko and the busiest intersection in the world are located - about 3,000 people cross it simultaneously during rush hours.

Day 2

Tokyo, Kamakura

Breakfast in the hotel. Excursion to Kamakura with Russian speaking guide.

The ancient city of Kamakura, located on the coast of the ocean, is the first capital of the Japanese military rulers of the shoguns, a city of ancient temples, sanctuaries, magnificent gardens, picturesque hills and coastlines.

Visit Shinto tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine - the main Shinto shrine of the city, built in 1063 and dedicated to the patron deity of the samurai class, which for a long time was the center of not only the spiritual, but also the political life of the region. A graceful cherry blossom alley adorns the path to the temple, and delicate fragile flowers provide an amazing contrast to the solid architecture of the temple complex. Lunch.

Next, you will visit hasedera Buddhist Temple, the main relic of which is a 9-meter wooden statue of the Bodhisattva of Mercy Kannon, created in the 8th century. The temple is also famous for its picturesque gardens and a wonderful panorama of the city and the coast that opens from here.

And, of course, one cannot ignore the main symbol of Kamakura - the 11-meter a bronze statue of the Great Buddha at the Kotokuin temple... The majestic statue, cast by the masters of the past back in 1252, sits right in the open air, as if from century to century patiently watching the life passing at its foot.

Return to your hotel in Tokyo.

Day 3

Tokyo, Osaka

Breakfast in the hotel. Sightseeing tour of Tokyo with a Russian-speaking guide.

The tour starts with a walk around shinjuku Gyoen Park... Founded in 1906 and originally owned by the imperial family, it is now one of Tokyo's most famous parks and one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots. More than a thousand sakura trees of 65 varieties grow in Shinjuku Gyoen, some of which bloom in early February, while others delight visitors at the end of April.

Then you will visit the observation deck of the world's tallest television tower - SkyTree (634 meters), from where you can admire the breathtaking panoramas of Tokyo from a height of 350 meters.

Having moved to asakusa area - one of the few places where the spirit of old Tokyo has been preserved - you will visit the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo Sensoji and walk along the Nakamise shopping street, where the largest number of souvenir shops in Tokyo is located.

At the end of the tour you will visit square near the Imperial Palace - here since 1869 is the official residence of the Emperors of Japan, the oldest ruling dynasty in the world.

Transfer to the railway station. Transfer to Osaka by high-speed Shinkansen train. Meeting with the coordinator at Shin-Osaka station near the car. Accommodation in a hotel of the chosen category.

Day 4

Osaka, Kyoto

Breakfast in the hotel. Excursion in Kyoto with Russian speaking guide.

Kyoto, which was the imperial capital of Japan for over a thousand years, is still considered the main center of the country's traditional culture. The bombing of the Second World War did not touch Kyoto, therefore it is here that the richest cultural and historical heritage has been preserved, many of which are included in the UNESCO List.

Inspection of one of the main attractions of Kyoto - the world famous Of the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji) - a temple clad in gold, resting over the waters of the Mirror Lake.

Further transfer and visit to the famous philosophical garden of 15 stones at the Zen Buddhist temple Ryoanji, in which the stones are arranged in such a way that wherever you look at the garden, some of the stones invariably eludes sight. Lunch.

Visit Temple of pure water (Kiyomizu), named after the waterfall inside the temple itself. The temple is located on a hill, and from its observation deck, a wonderful panorama of Kyoto opens.

Gion Geisha Quarter Walking Tour... Return to your hotel in Osaka.

Day 5

Osaka, about. Itsukushima (Miyajima), Hiroshima, Okayama, Kaike

Breakfast in the hotel. Excursion to Hiroshima and Miyajima with a Russian-speaking guide by public transport.

One of the most famous landscapes in Japan is the bright red gate of a Shinto shrine, standing right into the sea. Sacred Island Miyajima - this is the place where you can see the famous landscape with your own eyes. The gate itself belongs to the ancient Shinto shrine of Itsukushima located here (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The green mountains of the island, the surrounding sea and the temple built over 1400 years ago, merge in an amazing harmony so characteristic of traditional Japanese architecture. Deer (sacred animals according to Japanese beliefs) roam the streets freely - they are not at all afraid of people and, on the contrary, show an active interest in guests.

Lunch. The tour will end with a visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

Transfer by train to Ionago station with a change in Okayama (without a guide). Meeting at the platform near the coach with the coordinator and transfer to the hotel of the chosen category, located in the resort area of \u200b\u200bKaike. Accommodation in a traditional hotel with a natural mineral spring, on the shores of the Sea of \u200b\u200bJapan. Free time, rest on the springs.

Day 6

Kaike

Breakfast in the hotel. Free time at the hot springs. We recommend booking excursions for an additional fee.

Optional tour - excursion to the samurai city of Matsue and the park of flowers and birds (including lunch).

Matsue Castle, around which a samurai city once grew up, was built in 1611. This is one of the twelve castles in Japan that have survived to this day in their original form. The main tower of the castle, made of wood, has survived, unlike many castles in Japan, which were destroyed by fires, earthquakes or during the massive destruction of castles in the 19th century. You can go inside the castle, get acquainted with the collection of samurai armor and weapons, and admire the view of the city from its main tower. Lunch.

You will also visit the Vogel Flower and Bird Park. The park, located on the green hills by the lake, is buried in flowers all year round. It is also famous for its rich collection of birds: over 90 species of birds from different parts of the world, from tropical hornbills to penguins. You can feed toucans, learn a lot about night owl birds and watch shows with feathered artists.

Day 7

Kaike, Okayama, Kurashiki, Tokyo

Breakfast. Check out from the hotel, transfer to the station with the coordinator. Independent transfer by train to Okayama station, meeting with the guide on the platform.

Excursion to Okayama and Kurashiki with Russian-speaking guide.

The tour begins with a visit to the famous Raven Castle in Okayama, which got its name from the black color of the outer walls, reminiscent of the plumage of a raven. Then you visit koraku-en garden, which is considered one of the three great gardens in Japan. Lunch.

Moving to the city of Kurashiki, a walk through the old quarter on the bank of the canal, along which there are many old warehouses. Weeping willow trees growing along the canal give the quarter a special beauty. Then you will visit the family home of the Ohashi family, which was built in 1796. The traditional house, with tatami rooms, graceful sliding partitions and hanging scrolls, was built in a style typical of the wealthy Kurashiki merchants.

Transfer to Tokyo by high-speed train Shinkansen. Meeting with the coordinator at the Tokyo station by the car. Accommodation in a hotel of the chosen category.

Day 8

Tokyo, Russia

Breakfast. Self check out from the hotel. Meeting with a Japanese driver in the hotel lobby. Transfer to Narita / Haneda Airport by shuttle bus with other tourists (no guide). Departure to Russia.

Tokyo - Kamakura - Hakone

March 29 - April 4 (departure March 28)

The price is indicated for 1 person (in a double room with one bed) when a group of 6 people is recruited.

Supplement for accommodation in a single room with one bed - 150 USD.Supplement for accommodation in a double room with two beds - 90 USD

Included in the price

• visa application
• transfers to and from the airport
• comfortable hotel in the city center
• hot springs night
• 4 excursions * with a guide
• 6 breakfasts, 1 dinner
• entrance fees to temples
• rented transport ** (except for the excursion on the 4th day)

Attention:
* the order of excursions can be changed
** for a group of less than 6 people, excursions will be organized by public transport

Paid separately

• medical
• personal expenses

Flights

Useful information All materials Hide materials

April 6, 2016 10:20 am Inseti: a place to eat spring snacks while admiring sakura

A pink fog envelops cities and villages - the cherry rush begins in Japan. Resistance is useless; one must enjoy these delicate petals. When else to do this, if not at lunchtime or during a delicious dinner? Here are a few places to enjoy not only khans, but also delicious spring snacks.

It looks like an eatery, possibly spoiling the overall appearance of the park, but it looks exactly the same as it did many centuries ago. True, the cafe was renovated less than ten years ago, and today it serves sukiyaki (beef with vegetables) and classic Kaiseki cuisine.

During the cherry blossom season, Insetei also serves seasonal dishes in special multi-tiered bento packaging.

The most delicious dinner is served at Hasidaya. A big plus is its location. A beautiful view of the cherry blossoms opens from the second floor window.

The restaurant's cuisine is full of chicken dishes, serving teppanyaki, yakitori and tebasaki wings. Interestingly, when it gets colder outside, they offer hot potted nabe.

Once you arrive in the Kichijouji area, you can head to Kin no Saru, a place that boasts an ideal location right at the entrance to Inokashira Park. From the magnificent open-air terrace, a magnificent panorama appears. And here you can taste delicious dishes of inventive modern Japanese cuisine.

Cherry blossoms were in full bloom in Tokyo on Thursday. The Japan Meteorological Agency said that amid warm weather this year it happened three days earlier than usual. True, the 2015 record has not been broken. According to the agency, about 80% of the buds on the sakura varieties Somei-Yosino in the Yakusuni shrine have already blossomed. On Thursday, the pink bloom also enveloped the cities of Fukui, Gifu and Nagoya in central Japan, Wakayama and Tottori in the west, and Saga in southwestern Japan.

In all cities, Japanese cherry trees have blossomed ahead of schedule this year. In Tokyo, a temperature of + 20.2 ° C was recorded (which corresponds to the average long-term values \u200b\u200bat the end of April), and in Gifu and Wakayama, the thermometer showed even higher - 22 ° C of heat - the temperature usual for May in this region.

Based on materials from online publications.

March 25, 2016 5:47 pm Tokyo hotels turn pink before sakura blossoms

Sakura trees are starting to bloom all over Japan. On the same days, preparations are underway for hanami - the traditional Japanese custom of admiring spring flowers. The custom dates back to the Heian period (794-1185). Even though the word hanami means "admiring flowers", in fact, it means contemplation of sakura petals. This is a period of relaxation and fun for families and friends under the charming sakura blossom.

Steak House Katsura Restaurant

In addition to the gardens and viewing platforms, from which the landscapes of cherry blossoms of indescribable beauty open up, in Japan you can find other great places where many rejoice at the arrival of spring. Many establishments organize a range of events. For example, restaurants offer their visitors to enjoy the unusual taste of seasonal dishes.

For most Japanese restaurant chefs, spring is a period that inspires them and fills them with creative energy. Mountain vegetables and sea bass are especially popular. A unique menu with these ingredients is available at this time of year.

The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo, as well as the nearby Grand Prince Hotel Shin-Takanawa, near Shinagawa Station, for example, host an annual festival. It starts on March 19 and ends on April 10. The Japanese garden, located on the territory of the hotels, becomes open to visitors. Everyone can enjoy the beauty of more than 230 flowering trees of 19 sakura species, which bloom until the end of April.

The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo's restaurant has a dedicated balcony. Here you can not only taste grilled fish on coals, but also admire the symbol of Japan. At the same time, guests feel very comfortable thanks to the heated floor. The total cost of the menu is 35,000 yen. Dishes include lobster, grilled Kobe beef, shrimp and crab. But in the hotel restaurant Ristorante Caffe Ciliegio, you can admire sakura through the huge panoramic windows. This establishment offers guests an Italian menu for a total of 7,000 yen.

The Tokyo Marriott Hotel is located in Gotenyama, a suburb of Tokyo famous for its cherry orchards. He started the spring with the "Spring Delight" event, which is held in the hotel restaurant and bar. There is a special sakura-themed menu available. The event will run until April 15th. The Sakura Terrace Box, an outdoor cherry blossom terrace, has also recently become available to visitors. The menu is presented here with themed lunch boxes wrapped in a special furoshiki fabric. The obento consists of 16 small dishes, from appetizers to desserts, incl. soup. The total menu cost is 3900 yen. You can order such a lunch box from noon to 4 pm. The restaurant also offers "Sakura Afternoon Tea": amazing buns with mashed cherry blossoms. The tea set costs 3600 yen per person. You can enjoy yourself from 13:00 to 16:30.

The gardens of the Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo are another establishment that did not miss the cherry blossom period. In his garden, located in Mejiro District, guests can enjoy 120 cherry blossom trees, as well as a variety of spring dishes from the hotel's restaurant menu. This can be done until April 10.

Japanese restaurant Miyuki offers a spring menu Hamanu Gozen for 5,500 yen and Kaiseki for 16,500 yen. But the Italian restaurant Il Teatro can delight visitors with pasta with veal fillet and truffles worth 5,500 yen and 16,500 yen, respectively. Themed dishes are also available in the Hotel Chinzanso's buffet menu. The cost for an adult is 4200 yen, and for students and schoolchildren it is 2600 yen.

Based on materials from online publications.

Soon Japan will become a solid garden. Hanami, cherry blossom season, will be the occasion for folk festivities and a string of national festivals. Picnics in the bosom of nature under pink blossoms that cover the trees with a magic cloud are an ancient tradition of the Japanese.

What to drink, what to eat is determined by customs. Along with the classic sweetness, sakura mochi, and other spring season themed snacks, the Japanese are delighted to bring a touch of modernity and extravagant piquancy to a centuries-old custom. The present century is also making its own adjustments. Large corporations have discovered a fantastic marketing ploy. Food products familiar to everyone, but already with the symbols of sakura - doing business on the flowering of the symbol of Japan is now a fashion trend.

Global holdings have released a line of popular products with "wind-adjusted". The period of high tourist season, which is built on two weeks of cherry blossoms, ensures good sales and a prosperous financial future of the project. As a result, as in parks all over Japan, everything blooms on supermarket shelves in a riot of pink shades - from beer to coffee, from chocolate to chips, and even McDonald's surrendered to the onslaught of hanami mania. TOP-10 amazing and unusual products that you want to taste just for the design of the package, in our rating.

• 2 ... Now that you are the happy owner of a mug a la sakura branch, why not fill it with kimura sakura cola? Real sakura leaf extract gives this fizzy drink a true spring flavor. Interestingly, these are not the first "alchemical" experiments of the brand. Previously, they had already invented curry, tomato and wasabi flavored soda. Customers were not only alive, but also satisfied with the new product. So, definitely - the firm knows what it is doing.

• 4 ... If the wonderful sake or chu-hi drinks are too strong for your sophisticated taste, then the sakura motifs in Sanktgalle beer are just what you need. Moreover, the manufacturer, when inventing this drink, probably drew inspiration from the primordial gastronomic traditions of Japan. Sakura-mochi is a spring treat made with rice cake and beans wrapped in sakura leaves. It is noteworthy that this type of beer is brewed in a brewery based in Kanagawa Prefecture. Here they are very careful not only to the production process, but also to the raw materials supplied. Cherries from Takato (Nagano Prefecture) are used exclusively for beer production. The interesting taste of sakura mochi, together with the low hop content, makes Sanktgalle beer, a light and refined spring drink.

• 6 ... It is known that Nestle has already "tested" bars with pumpkin and, of course, cherry flavors on Japanese customers. But this year, the company decided to go further with its bold ideas. Kit-Kats with pistachio and raspberry flavor began to be delivered in a box in a spring style. The owners of the company claim that this is the perfect taste of "pleasure hanami".

Lindt

• 7 ... Lindt presented a win-win option to the customers. Sakura macaroons are the apotheosis for those who are beside themselves with cherry blossoms. The treats are filled with mashed cherry ganache. A taste of real hanami is available from April 12 at the Lindt Chocolate cafe. For those who are not enough, they can get a culinary ecstasy by tasting an icy cherry juice and white chocolate smoothie, garnished with white chocolate chips and a cherry syrup pattern.

• 9 ... What about without Red Bull? The consortium could hardly stay away from the sakura trend. Rest assured, this pink energy drink is designed to keep you awake (whether you like it or not) until the morning at all hanami parties.

Baskin robbins

• 10 ... After a 24-year lull, the company strives to literally "blow up" the taste buds of the sweet tooth. The brand managed to create something ... Sakura-flavored salted ice cream. Sounds weird? Take another look at the previous 9 points - are you still wondering anything? Real sakura leaves and sea salt, combined with the sweet creamy taste of ice cream - it obviously took a quarter of a century to come up with this. You can try this delicacy until the end of May.

Drinking pink Red Bull, eating a sakura hamburger with cherry oil or macaroon, you will undoubtedly remember this spring in Japan for a long time. In addition, manufacturers have provided for the delicate side of life. The sakura-printed toilet paper is probably meant to make your trip to the bathroom as unforgettable as the height of all the cherry blossom parties put together. Eat, pray, love ... sakura is not a bad motto for hanami, isn't it?

Based on materials from online publications.

March 19, 2016 10:10 am Cherry Blossom Front begins its journey through the archipelago, heading north to Japan

Sakura began to bloom in Japan on Saturday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. The trees of the Somei-Yoshino variety are always the first to bloom, they can already be observed in various regions of the country. Sakura blossomed four days earlier than usual on Saturday in Fukuoka. Seven days early in Nagoya. The agency attributes this to unusually warm weather conditions. The bloom is expected to be in full bloom from 26 to 29 March.

« I can feel the breath of spring"- said Yasutaka Nanri from the city of Fukushima, who was just passing by a blossoming tree. " I look forward to the trees blooming all over Japan and the cherry blossom celebration».

The Japan Meteorological Agency is responsible for monitoring the cherry blossom front throughout the country. Corresponding reports and forecasts, the agency issues throughout the season, informing how the bloom is gradually moving from south to north of Japan. Not only Japanese amateur hanami are interested in accurate forecasts of the meteorological agency, but also tourists who come from all over the world to admire the cherry blossoms.

The Japan Weather Association encourages people who plan to come to hanami to organize their trip earlier this year. Cherry blossoms will be in full bloom from the end of March, as well as in the first week of April in the western part of the Kanto region.

Based on materials from online publications.

The transition from winter to summer is just beginning, which means it's time for magic - the season of bloom. When winter looses its grip, delicate petals begin to make their way out of the buds on the bizarre branches. In February it is a plum, and at the end of March it is sakura. This is the earliest sign that, soon, warmth will gradually envelop the entire Japanese archipelago. This process, like its surreal "rose-colored" results, portends something incredibly good for the Japanese, albeit difficult to describe. Even strict government officials are kinder when cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

Sakura blooms in Tokyo at the end of March

The weather still echoes the winter chill, but the hearts and minds of the Japanese population have already begun to thaw. I can only describe it as "soul spring break". While the word “hanami” simply means “admiring flowers” \u200b\u200bin Japanese, the Spring Festival of Joy symbolizes everyone's favorite time of the year - spring. So, prepare your raincoat and picnic utensils, we will choose the location that best suits your family's preferences. Below are a few places in Tokyo that should definitely be marked on a map of your walks in spring.

Yoyogi Park. This is one of my favorite hanami spots. Although this place may not be the best for children. Sure, there are beautiful trees and a unique holiday atmosphere, but you will also find broken bottles, aggressive crows, and hordes of drunken local college students. Nevertheless, despite all this, there is something in this park - perhaps it is the energy of the local nature that makes you come back here every season. People here really do whatever they want: they hold costume parties, banquets and sing in karaoke. Everyone around is friendly and welcoming to children. But if you get drunk, you may not notice that you are lighting a cigarette a few inches from your baby's face, so be careful. The best place for a family vacation is in the center of the park - right behind the fountains. There are not many flowering trees, but there is a lot of space where children can frolic and run without fear of colliding with other walking passers-by.

Arisugawa Park. Located just minutes from Hiroo Station. There are not many cherry blossoms in this park, but there are a lot of picturesque places. There is a nice playground for kids near the library. The National Azabu supermarket is right across the street - anything you might need for a picnic can be bought there. Since Arisugawa Park is hilly, it will be interesting for older children to play hide and seek. There are many stone steps on the territory. Those who walk with strollers can use the sidewalk that runs along the entire perimeter of the park.

Ueno Park

Ueno Park. This 800-pound "gorilla", which holds the first place among all parks in Tokyo on hanami. But all I can advise is to stay away from this place. I've been there with the kids several times over the past decade and have always wanted to leave immediately. If there are kid-friendly places in the park, I would like to know them. But, all that I have seen is dozens of hopelessly drunk bodies lying right under the flowering trees. Those with claustrophobia, beware.

Aoyama cemetery. This is where you'll find some of the season's most vibrant and photogenic spots, but keep in mind - this is a graveyard, so respect and etiquette should be respected. It is a beautiful place to walk with babies, but it is not a place where children should play. The best option is a walk.

Nakameguro river

Nakameguro river. The landscape here is especially magical after sunset. This is an ideal place for a walk, but not in the afternoon. Flowering trees grow mainly on the main thoroughfare, where there is little room for children to maneuver. On the other hand, all the coastal restaurants and kiosks are along the sidewalk, and this is a great place for walks, snacks and admiring the trees. Especially after dusk, because cherry blossoms are illuminated with artificial illumination.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Park. My top pick for families in hanami season (and beyond) is Shinjuku Gyoen. The garden is rich in beautiful trees and scenic seating areas. The welfare and cleanliness of the park is well monitored: there are no pigeon droppings and broken glass. Lawns are neatly mowed and not trampled. If it's cold outside, you can take a tour of the newly renovated greenhouse to keep warm. By all accounts, Shinjuku Gyoen wins. In particular, it should be borne in mind that the hanami season here lasts even longer, because "yaesakura" grow here, which usually bloom for about two more weeks after other varieties of cherries have already crumbled. There are, however, several peculiarities: the park closes at 4 pm, and alcohol consumption is prohibited on site. Bags are often checked at the gate, although I have witnessed the rangers still turn a blind eye to a bottle of wine or sake.

Based on materials from online publications.

March 10, 2016 1:43 pm A Norwegian will be one of the main characters at the cherry blossom festival

The 27-year-old Norwegian became the first Western woman to be selected for the lead role at the Sakura Blossom Festival in Tsubame, Niigata Prefecture. During the festival, all participants dress in the costumes of courtesans from the Edo period (1603-1868)

Annette Hansen, who now lives in Tokyo, was chosen by the organizers of the festival to play the role of one of three oirans or courtesans who will parade through the streets of the city on April 17. For the first time in 74 years of the festival's existence, a non-Japanese woman has been selected for this key role, representatives of the Tsubame Tourism Board reported.

Hansen, who came to Japan in 2010, is a hotel reservations manager for a large company. According to the official statements of local officials, the Norwegian was selected on the basis of a careful selection, consisting of two rounds.

« It is a great honor for me to be chosen for the role of oiran. This festival is associated with primordial Japanese traditions, because during its holding a special role is given to national clothes and the symbol of Japan - sakura"Annette Hansen said.

In addition to the Norwegian, two more Japanese women will take part in the festival. All three will be dressed as courtesans. The festival will also be attended by about 70 participants in the role of servants. After the official part, an extensive photo session with the participants is expected.

The main heroines of the holiday will be shod in sandals on a 15-centimeter platform. They will have to demonstrate the unique walking style of the oiran, which they used to entertain guests during the distant Edo period.

It is worth noting that when making the final decision regarding the main heroines of the holiday, among other things, their physical fitness was taken into account. The fact is that the total weight of the girl's outfits is about 30 kilograms.

Annette Hansen also said that she is very worried, because at previous festivals there were unpleasant embarrassments when the girls chosen to play the role of courtesans could not finish their participation in the holiday due to an unbearable two-hour physical activity. In addition to the outfit, the girls will also have a special wig from the Edo era, which was customary to wear in that era.

Based on materials from online publications.

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Sakura-flavored Pepsi to hit the market for the first time

Japanese beverage maker Suntory has announced the first ever soda with a unique sakura and pepsi flavor, due in the first batch this spring.

When it comes to soft drinks in Japan, the local consumer is spoiled for choice, from white winter Pepsi to Halloween-themed ghost Pepsi. The Japanese national pepsi producer, Suntory, has many original products, for example, a drink with a combined lemon and mint flavor, or even a salted watermelon flavor, but sakura-flavored Pepsi has never been produced.

Something slightly similar has been produced by other manufacturers, such as the cola-flavored strawberry milk, which appeared in the spring of 2014 during the cherry blossom season.

Back in the middle of winter, bottles of Asahi beer began to try on the spring motives associated with the upcoming sakura blossom. Recently, a Japanese brewery launched a new line of beer called Asahi Super Dry. The alcoholic drink will go on sale this spring. It will be available for purchase in a limited period: only in spring.

The beer itself, as a drink, will not change at all - it will be the same Asahi Super Dry beer. Only the design of its packaging has changed. The bottle will be decorated in a bright pink sakura color during their most active flowering period. Such a bottle will undoubtedly become an excellent decoration for the contemplation of Japanese cherries.

For the second year in a row, Asahi is celebrating spring with its special beverage line. Last year, spring beers were greeted with joy by the Japanese, especially the beautiful half. Consumers bought about 620 thousand bottles of the alcoholic beverage, which was twice the expected results. This year it is planned to release several times more seasonal products.

The beer line will be represented by bottles with a capacity of 633 and 500 milliliters and cans with a capacity of 135, 250, 350 and 500 milliliters, as well as a special two-liter aluminum mini-keg.

Regardless of the volume, all containers have a bright and festive design. It is worth noting that Asahi Super Dry beer has already gone on sale in cans with a capacity of 350 and 500 milliliters, the rest of the products will become available and will go on sale from March 8th. Note that beer in cans of 633 and 500 milliliters was almost completely sold on February 2, it should go on sale again on March 29.

The Asahi Super Dry spring beer line will be on sale until the end of April. Therefore, if you are going to Japan during this period, do not miss the excellent opportunity to purchase an exclusive offer from Asahi Brewery.

« If only we could fall like a cherry blossom in spring - so pure and shining!»

World War II transformed cherry blossoms. The 22-year-old kamikaze pilot who drew up this haiku before dying in battle in February 1945 did not even foresee how soon Hiroshima and Nagasaki would give a new "color" to such a familiar cherry blossom - blossoming transformed into a human ideal of beauty, attainable thanks to a beautiful death. You need to be it in order to enjoy it to the fullest, and become a part of it, as the death row did.

« Dear Parents", - wrote another, -" please congratulate me. I was given a splendid opportunity to die. This is my last day. The fate of our Motherland now depends on the decisive naval battle in the south, where I will fall like a blossom from a shining cherry blossom».

The sakura blossom has long symbolized disappearance, beauty, beauty of disappearance and the ideal of Japan's warrior. He has always glorified self-sacrifice. That is why, on the threshold of the 20th century, it was the sakura flower that united in itself the notion that men dying for their sacred Motherland actually became a cherry blossom, because they acquire an unearthly, surpassing beauty, "so pure and shining!" they become.

Other countries also raised warriors and patriots filled with the vision of a separate life as trivial compared to serving the Motherland. But none of them was endowed with such an eerie, terrible beauty as cherry blossom.

A more practical example of how another culture is considering the same topic is a short excerpt from a letter a young French revolutionary fighter wrote to his father in 1792. " Our freedom can only be guaranteed if there is a corpse mattress on the bed... I agree to become one of them". (Quoted by historian Simon Cham in Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution). A Japanese would have rightly admired his fortitude, but it is a pity that he was not a poet.

It was, in the words of Ivan Morris, “ one of the strangest and sharpest weapons in the history of war"-" a one-sided glider that comes close to the target even at high altitude, and then suddenly dives down at great speed, which detonates a warhead on an enemy ship ... the very craft of a suicide could disable the ships of the enemy navy, which now ( 1944-1945) laid siege to the islands of slowly breathing Japan. In addition, the use of such weapons would demoralize foreigners who were not psychologically prepared for such methods of war. "

This weapon was named eye, in honor of additional reading "cherry blossom". The Americans gave it another name - the tank bomb, or in other words, "the bomb of the idiot."

About 5 thousand Japanese military "fell like a cherry blossom." The damage they were able to inflict on the ships of the United States and its allies was negligible. However, as planned, this had a very strong psychological effect, but the result was unexpected. Hoping to demoralize the enemy, the Japanese did not even think that the Americans decided to use extraordinary methods for a war with such an extraordinary country. And these were the bombs dropped on August 6 and 9, 1945 on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Japan surrendered on August 16. On the same day, Vice Admiral Takijiro Onishi, who was the initiator of the Oka terrorist attack, performed a ritual hara-kiri right at his own residence in Tokyo. He was also a poet. " Today in a flower, tomorrow in a scattered wind. - This is our flourishing life. Can we really think that its scent lasts forever?»

Based on materials from online publications.

The celebration of the Chinese New Year is still in full swing, but it is already known that a record number of foreign tourists have arrived in Japan to celebrate this holiday. After this event, the hotels and restaurants of the country will have only a month to prepare for the next huge wave of tourists who will come in March and April to meet the spring and see the cherry blossoms.

Predicting the exact start date for hanami has always been considered a priority issue for the Japanese tourism industry. The country's popularity is growing rapidly, more and more tourists from different countries want to visit the island state.

According to the forecasts of Japanese experts, this year sakura will first bloom in the southwestern part - the cities of Fukuoka and Kumamoto. This will happen around March 25th. They will be followed by cherry blossoms on March 26 in Tokyo and Nagoya. The ancient capital of Kyoto will see cherry blossoms bloom on March 29, while residents and tourists in the northern city of Sapporo on Hokkaido island will only be able to enjoy cherry blossoms from May 2. As a rule, it takes about a week for a flower to fully bloom.

The forecast is carried out on the basis of constant temperature studies, taking into account data from the last few months. Usually low temperatures in late autumn and early winter and high temperatures in early spring lead to early flowering. As for 2016, this year the dates correspond to the average annual ones.

Chinese airlines intend to take steps to fully accommodate the increased passenger air travel in March and April. It was during this period that there was a rapid increase in the number of Chinese tourists coming to Japan.

According to the employees of the Tokyo office of China Southern Airlines, they have taken measures to increase the number of places for transporting tourists during the cherry blossom season. In March - April 2015, Japan was visited by 3.2 million tourists. Among them there are about 800 thousand guests from China.

Japan Hydrometeorological Center will update its cherry blossom forecast every day starting February 24th. If we talk about the last year, then the forecast for the beginning of cherry blossoms was with an error of three days.

Based on materials from online publications.

May 5, 2015 11:57 am Sakura planted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe blooms in Moscow

The cherry tree that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe planted in Moscow two years ago has blossomed. As a sign of hope for the development of friendly relations between Japan and Russia, Abe, on an official visit in April 2013, planted a tree in a Japanese garden run by the Russian Academy of Sciences. The sapling was taken from a cherry tree planted in the orchard in 1986 by his late father, former Foreign Minister Shintaro Abe, who helped develop Japan's relations with the former Soviet Union.