Every year, cherry blossoms signal the beginning of spring, the most eagerly awaited season in Japanese culture and among visitors.
This year, the blossoms have already bloomed—a process that lasts only about three weeks—so both locals and tourists make the most of the season to admire the beauty of the pink hues.
Cherry blossom season is so important in Japanese culture that as early as January, forecasts begin predicting where the flowers will bloom best, and celebrations are organized to welcome spring.
Likewise, businesses embrace the pink theme across all sectors, with restaurants offering pink-colored drinks and dishes to mark the arrival of spring.
The Japanese say that cherry blossoms symbolize the fleeting nature of life, much like clouds that appear and suddenly disappear. This is connected to the Buddhist concept of “mono no aware,” meaning “the pathos of things,” which recognizes both beauty and mortality as essential parts of life.