Cherry blossoms in Kyoto: Where to admire the Hanami

The sakura cherry blossom season in Japan is on the bucket list of travelers the world over. For a few short weeks each spring, Japan’s cities and countryside are adorned with cloud-like white and pink flowers. Residents often hold hanami, parties or picnics for the purpose of observing the blossoms. You may even find yourself in the midst of a cherry blossom festival!

If you’re planning a trip to Kyoto during this remarkable time of year, you will find cherry blossoms in abundance. There are, however, a number of places that provide a truly stunning cherry blossom experience in Kyoto.

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When to go Japan? Best times of the year to visit

When is the best time to visit Japan? This is a question without a simple answer. Japan is a year-round destination, with interesting activities, attractions, and festivities throughout the year.

Your decision will depend on several factors. First, do you wish to avoid the crowded, busy times, more expensive times, or hot, cold, or rainy weather? Second, what activities or events to do wish to enjoy? Are they seasonal or available year-round?

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Guide to Valentine’s Day and White Day in Japan

In the West, Valentine’s Day is well established as an opportunity to confess love to that one special person in your life and shower them with affection, which usually means showering them with gifts or planning to take them on the perfect date. It is usually the man who is expected to do the heavy lifting and buy their girl an assortment of candy-colored goodies to express their love and celebrate the special day.

Valentine’s Day in Japan goes down a little differently: men are usually expected to do very little on February 14th and it is the women who are expected to be the principal gift-giver. Not just to their partner, but also to men with who they share any kind of significant relationship.

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Tokyo Imperial Palace: How and when to visit

Also known as Kōkyo, this palace in Tokyo is the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family. The Imperial Place is defined by distinctive whitewashed buildings with sloping roofs in a historic Japanese style, and is surrounded by a vast, formidable moat.

Visitors to Tokyo are encouraged to take a guided tour of the extensive, elegant palace grounds. These include the Imperial Palace East Gardens, which houses the large collection of the Museum of the Imperial Collection, and Kitanomaru Park, home to the National Museum of Modern Art.

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