My ambitious itinerary for my tour around The Land of the Rising Sun was jam-packed. Likewise, the country of Japan, itself, was jam-packed with people, attributable to the surge in tourism and the large population in major metropolitan areas, like Tokyoβwith over 37 million people.
Japan expects over 30 million visitors this year, record numbers post-pandemic. March saw over three million foreign tourists. I imagine the numbers were much higher in April when I was there, based on the crowds, and the lure of the cherry blossoms. April is a popular time to visit Japan because it is sakura season. Sakura, the cherry blossoms of Japan, herald the arrival of spring, symbolizing both the fleeting beauty of life and the renewal it brings. The flowering trees in variations of white and pink draw enthusiastic visitors from around the world.
Oprah Winfrey recently visited Kyoto and lamented that it was cold and rainy and thus the cherry blossoms were late. Seasoned travelers know they must be flexible and able to quickly pivot due to any variety of changes, delays or cancellations at the last minute for a seemingly endless list of reasons.
Winfrey and her girlfriends, who accompanied her, were treated to just a bit of cherry blossoms in bloom on their very last day in Japan. Luckily for me, I saw them in all stages from beginning to full bloom to the turning point where the flower petals are falling off the trees and floating through the air like natural pink confetti.
Generally speaking, the cherry blossoms bloom the last week of March and first week of April. Despite being forecasted to bloom early in , they were actually a little late, in relation to average dates. Mother Nature is always in charge. Before I departed, I was religiously watching the cherry blossom forecast online, especially on Japan-guide. I juxtaposed the map of the cherry blossom forecast with the map of my tour itinerary and hoped and prayed for the best.
