{"id":18937,"date":"2018-03-23T12:21:32","date_gmt":"2018-03-23T12:21:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/?p=18937"},"modified":"2025-02-19T14:39:06","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T14:39:06","slug":"cherry-blossom-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/23\/cherry-blossom-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Tickled pink: Cherry blossom alternatives"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F18937&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F18937\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F18937&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F18937&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F18937%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F18937\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F18937\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p>Nothing stirs the Japanese soul quite like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/japanese-culture\/cherry-blossom\/\">cherry blossom<\/a>. It heralds the arrival of spring and encapsulates the transience of life itself. But while the world and her husband descend on Tokyo and Kyoto to catch the blooms in early April, we recommend seeking out some more secluded spots to appreciate the spectacle away from the crowds.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Kawazu, Izu Peninsula<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>When to go: February<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-half-width wp-image-18943 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/iStock-591815228-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/iStock-591815228-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/iStock-591815228-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/iStock-591815228-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/iStock-591815228-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/iStock-591815228-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/iStock-591815228-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/iStock-591815228-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/iStock-591815228-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/iStock-591815228-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/iStock-591815228-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/iStock-591815228-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Think you need to wait until April to catch Japan\u2019s cherry blossom? Think again! Visit Tokyo in early February and hop on a train for a scenic three-hour ride down the Izu Peninsula to Kawazu. This small town boasts the earliest appearing cherry blossom on Honshu, Japan\u2019s main island.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s more, the flowers open at a slower pace than all of the other cherry blossom varieties. The blooms last for around a month, rather than the usual two weeks \u2013 so there is more time to make the most of them. Join the locals for a picnic by the river under a 4km-long stretch of pink.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Megijima Island, Seto Inland Sea<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>When to go: Early April<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-18940\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Cherry-Blossoms-Shonai-Peninsula-720x479.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Cherry-Blossoms-Shonai-Peninsula-720x479.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Cherry-Blossoms-Shonai-Peninsula-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Cherry-Blossoms-Shonai-Peninsula-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Cherry-Blossoms-Shonai-Peninsula-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Cherry-Blossoms-Shonai-Peninsula-564x375.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Cherry-Blossoms-Shonai-Peninsula-1200x798.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Cherry-Blossoms-Shonai-Peninsula-900x599.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Cherry-Blossoms-Shonai-Peninsula-1440x958.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Cherry-Blossoms-Shonai-Peninsula-390x259.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Cherry-Blossoms-Shonai-Peninsula-780x519.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Cherry-Blossoms-Shonai-Peninsula-510x339.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Cherry-Blossoms-Shonai-Peninsula.jpg 1654w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The Japanese archipelago encompasses more than 6,000 islands, so it would be a shame not to indulge in a little island hopping. Take a 20-minute ferry ride from Takamatsu (on Shikoku, the smallest of Japan\u2019s four main islands), to Megijima.<\/p>\n<p>Measuring just 1 by 4km, the island\u2019s 200 inhabitants are outnumbered by cherry blossom trees. When they flower in early April, you can soak up the sight of pink canopies against the backdrop of the island-strewn Seto Inland Sea.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Inuyama Castle, near Nagoya<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>When to go: Early April<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-18949\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Inuyama-Castle-720x566.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"566\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Inuyama-Castle-720x566.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Inuyama-Castle-300x236.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Inuyama-Castle-768x604.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Inuyama-Castle-1024x805.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Inuyama-Castle-564x444.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Inuyama-Castle-1200x944.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Inuyama-Castle-900x708.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Inuyama-Castle-1440x1133.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Inuyama-Castle-390x307.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Inuyama-Castle-780x613.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Inuyama-Castle-510x401.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Just twelve castles remain intact from Japan\u2019s feudal age, and all are a good bet for a cherry blossom picnic. After surviving many a natural disaster, Inuyama, built in 1537, is one of the oldest castles. It\u2019s perched on a small hill surrounded by cherry trees \u2013 as is the nearby landscape garden Urakuen.<\/p>\n<p>Inuyama is a 45-minute train journey from Nagoya, the home of InsideJapan Tours\u2019 Japanese HQ. You may just bump into our staff here enjoying a bento lunchbox with a cheeky cup of sake (or two).<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Former samurai district Kakunodate<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>When to go: late April to early May<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-18944\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/shutterstock_313240925-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/shutterstock_313240925-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/shutterstock_313240925-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/shutterstock_313240925-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/shutterstock_313240925-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/shutterstock_313240925-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/shutterstock_313240925-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/shutterstock_313240925-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/shutterstock_313240925-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/shutterstock_313240925-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/shutterstock_313240925-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/shutterstock_313240925-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Did you think only willow trees could weep? In Kakunodate, cherry trees lament the bygone era of the samurai. Gorgeous swoops of pale pink blossoms arch to the ground amid the well-preserved Edo Period architecture.<\/p>\n<p>The trees were transported here from Kyoto and lovingly cultivated by local samurai families, determined to outdo their neighbours with their horticultural prowess. Kakunodate is four hours by train from Tokyo, up in the north, so the flowers are at their best in early May.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Fort Goryokaku, Hakodate<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>When to go: early to mid-May<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-18947\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/03_GoryokakuCherry-Blossoms-2011_01-720x478.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"478\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/03_GoryokakuCherry-Blossoms-2011_01-720x478.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/03_GoryokakuCherry-Blossoms-2011_01-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/03_GoryokakuCherry-Blossoms-2011_01-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/03_GoryokakuCherry-Blossoms-2011_01-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/03_GoryokakuCherry-Blossoms-2011_01-564x375.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/03_GoryokakuCherry-Blossoms-2011_01-1200x797.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/03_GoryokakuCherry-Blossoms-2011_01-900x598.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/03_GoryokakuCherry-Blossoms-2011_01-1440x956.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/03_GoryokakuCherry-Blossoms-2011_01-390x259.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/03_GoryokakuCherry-Blossoms-2011_01-780x518.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/03_GoryokakuCherry-Blossoms-2011_01-510x339.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>To catch the last of the year\u2019s cherry blossoms, set your sights on Japan\u2019s northernmost island, Hokkaido. Here we must bestow Hakodate with the \u201cbest cherry blossom as seen from above\u201d award (if such a thing existed). Fort Goryokaku is a massive, star-shaped citadel; it was built in the late 1800s by the Tokugawa shogunate who feared an attack from Western powers.<\/p>\n<p>Visit in mid-May to wander the moats lined with gorgeous pink trees. Don\u2019t worry, you won\u2019t need a helicopter to get an overhead photo. Just take the lift 90m up to the top of Goryokaku Tower.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>For the very latest cherry blossom news, keep an eye on the <em>sakura<\/em> forecast on Japan Guide. Whether you fancy Kyoto or Kawazu, we&#8217;d love to <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/contactusJapan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">help you plan<\/a> your cherry blossom trip.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><strong>This article first appeared in East magazine, home of inspirational travel features and top tips for travelling in Asia. <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/EastMagazineJapan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sign up<\/a> to get it delivered straight to your door twice a year for FREE.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-18955 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/EAST-front-cover-212x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"212\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/EAST-front-cover-212x300.jpg 212w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/EAST-front-cover-399x564.jpg 399w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/EAST-front-cover-390x552.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/EAST-front-cover-510x722.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/EAST-front-cover.jpg 595w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 212px) 100vw, 212px\" \/><\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? 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Help us by sharing it! Nothing stirs the Japanese soul quite like the cherry blossom. It heralds the arrival of spring and encapsulates the transience of life itself. But while the world and her husband descend on Tokyo and Kyoto to catch the blooms in early April, we recommend seeking out some [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":65,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2361,2355],"tags":[1404,1405,2051,2131,3689],"class_list":["post-18937","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-when-to-go-to-japan","category-first-trip-to-japan","tag-cherry-blossom","tag-cherry-blossom-in-japan","tag-sakura","tag-spring-in-japan","tag-lesser-known-places-to-see-cherry-blossom"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18937","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/65"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18937"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18937\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34697,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18937\/revisions\/34697"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18937"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18937"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18937"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}