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 variety of Japanese cherry blossoms is Somei-Yoshino, a special variety in which flowers bloom 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 throughout the country from the middle of the 19th century.
Now hanami, the time to admire the 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 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 tree fall without withering 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 blossom trees were planted 300 years ago and where the famous Sakura Festival is held annually, Port of Aomori) ...
Due to the huge public interest, the National Meteorological Agency of Japan, during the cherry blossom season, 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 along with the 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 begin both earlier and later than the designated 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
Sakura 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 "snow flakes", carrying them everywhere. The Japanese call this phenomenon sakura fubuki, or pink "snowfall". The ground is covered with a delicate pink carpet. The fallen sakura petals - a spectacle of rare beauty - bring peace and tranquility.
"Hanami", admiring cherry blossoms, is the most beloved tradition of the Japanese. But despite the fact that literally "khanami" translates to "admiring flowers", it is equally strongly associated with good snacks and drinks 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 the Japanese are not the only ones who 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 blossom 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 on 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.
Dinner.
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 district of Ginza 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 Naru.
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 at 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 ancient 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 by regular flight of Aeroflot or JAL airlines.
The cost of the program for 1 person in a group
Payment in rubles at the exchange rate of the company 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 - 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
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2nd day: Cherry Blossom in Tokyo
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Useful information All materials Hide materials
April 6, 2016 10:20 am Inseti: a place to eat spring snacks while admiring sakura
Towns and villages are covered in pink fog as 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 some places where you can enjoy not only khans, but also some delicious spring snacks.
It looks like an eatery, possibly spoiling the overall look 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 a special multi-tiered bento package.
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.
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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 splendid 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 of 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.
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In all cities, Japanese cherries 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 at the end of April), and in Gifu and Wakayama, the thermometer showed even higher temperatures - 22 ° C - 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 cherry blossoms start
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. It is a period of relaxation and fun for families and friends under the charming sakura blossom.
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| 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 variety 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 particular time of year.
The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo, as well as the nearby Grand Prince Hotel Shin-Takanawa, located 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 over 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 fish grilled 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. Recently, the Sakura Terrace Box, an outdoor cherry blossom terrace, has also 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 ranging from appetizers to desserts, incl. soup. The total cost of the menu 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 the 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 fillets 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.
Japan will soon 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 fashionable trend.
World holdings have released a line of popular products with "wind-adjusted". The period of high tourist season, which is built on two-week 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 packaging design 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 original 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 sophisticated spring-like 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 flavors 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".
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| Lindt |
- 7 ... The Lindt company 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 cherry ganache puree. 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-colored energy drink is designed to keep you awake, whether you like it or not, until the morning at all hanami parties.
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| Baskin robbins |
- 10 ... After 24 years of calm, the company strives to literally "blow up" the taste buds of those with a 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 about 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 a 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 foreseen 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 first to bloom are the trees of the Somei-Yoshino variety, they can already be observed in various regions of the country. Sakura bloomed 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 March 26 to March 29.
« 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 festival to begin».
The Japan Meteorological Agency is responsible for monitoring the cherry blossom front across 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 is urging 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 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 work their way out of the buds on the bizarre branches. In February, it is a plum, and at the end of March, it is a 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 stern civil servants are kinder when cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
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| 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” in 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 place 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.
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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'll 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: hold costume parties, banquets and sing karaoke. Everyone around is friendly and welcoming to children. But when drunk, they may not notice that they are lighting a cigarette a few inches from your toddler'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 here, but on the other hand, there is a lot of space where children can frolic and run without fear of colliding with other walking passers-by.
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Arisugawa Park. Located just minutes from Hiroo Station. There are not many cherry blossoms in this park, but there are a lot of scenic spots. 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.
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| Ueno Park |
Ueno Park. It is the 800-pound gorilla that holds the lead among all the parks in Tokyo on hanami. But all I can advise is to stay away from this place. I have 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 ever seen is dozens of hopelessly drunk bodies lying right under the blossoming trees. Those with claustrophobia - beware.
Aoyama cemetery. Here you'll find some of the season's brightest and most 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 are supposed to play. The best option is a walk.
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| Nakameguro river |
The Nakameguro river. The landscape here is especially magical after sunset. This is the perfect 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, as 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 trimmed and not trampled. If it's cold outside, you can take an excursion to 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 lasts even longer here, because "yesakura" 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 on the territory is prohibited. Bags are often checked at the gate, although I have witnessed the caretakers 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 become one of the main characters at the cherry blossom festival
The 27-year-old Norwegian became the first Western woman to be selected for a leading role at the Sakura Blossom Festival in Tsubame, Niigata Prefecture. During the festival, all participants dress in the costumes of the courtesans of the Edo period (1603-1868).
Annette Hansen, now living in Tokyo, was chosen by the festival organizers 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 the 74 years of the festival's existence, a non-Japanese woman was selected for this key role, representatives of the Tsubame Tourism Board said.
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 it 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.
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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 in 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 was 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, to be released this spring.
When it comes to soft drinks in Japan, local consumers are spoiled for choice, from white winter Pepsi to Halloween-themed ghost Pepsi. The Japanese national Pepsi manufacturer Suntory has many original products, such as 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 bloom. A Japanese brewery recently 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 the 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.
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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.
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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 be 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 great 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 this familiar cherry blossom - blossoming transformed into a human ideal of attainable beauty 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 tree».
The sakura blossom has long symbolized disappearance, the beauty, the beauty of disappearance, and the ideal of Japan's warrior. He 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 radiant!" 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 were 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 that 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 justly admire 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 altitudes, 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 the additional reading "cherry blossom". The Americans gave it another name - the tank bomb, or in other words "idiot's bomb."
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 impact, 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 it turned out to be 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 country's hotels and restaurants 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.
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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 the island of Hokkaido will only be able to enjoy cherry blossoms from May 2. As a rule, it takes about a week for the flower to fully bloom.
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The forecast is carried out on the basis of constant temperature studies, taking into account the data of the last few months. Typically low temperatures in late fall and early winter and high temperatures in early spring result in 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 has been a rapid increase in the number of Chinese tourists coming to Japan.
According to a statement from 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 bloomed 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, while 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.
09:00 - In the morning, the Guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and go on an excursion to the city Kamakura!
Located on the picturesque coast of the Pacific Ocean, Kamakura is the oldest capital of Japan, it is a small town with a large number of ancient Buddhist temples, quiet and picturesque. Kamakura is one of the oldest cities in Japan, founded in 1192.
10:00 – Daibudu statue - Great Buddha
This Buddha statue is the second largest in Japan (the first is in Nara). The height of the statue is 11.4 m, weight - 93 tons. The Buddha is seated in the open air, the green hills provide a beautiful backdrop. The statue was cast in 1252. The statue was probably made by Ono Goryomon or Tanshi Hisatomo, the leading Japanese bronze sculptors of the time. At a certain period of time, the statue was gilded. There are still traces of gilding near the ears of the statue.
11:00 – Hasedera temple
The temple was built in 736. You will be amazed by the statue of the 11-head goddess Kannon, which is 9.5 meters high. Another attraction of the temple is a giant bell, cast in 1264, the oldest in Kamakura. It has been declared Japan's most important cultural property. You will completely immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the 12th century, feel like a part of the great past
13:00 – Lunch at a restaurant (Japanese cuisine).
14:00 –Hachimangu temple
The Hachimangu Shrine is an important shrine to Kamakura. It was founded in 1063 by representatives of the Minamoto family. The temple is dedicated to the god of war, as well as to the memory of the legendary emperor Odzin Hachiman. Here the Yoritomo warriors practiced yabusame - archery from a horse. In order to get to the temple, you need to walk from the embankment through the entire city center along a long, wide passage with several tori gates along the way. The main hall stands on a terrace at the top of a wide staircase. The main hall houses the temple itself and the museum, where shrines such as swords, masks and documents are kept.
15:00 – Departure to Yokohama.
Yokohama is a metropolis, the largest port in Japan, be prepared for the reality to surpass your wildest expectations.
16:00 –Tower Landmark Tower
Tallest building in Yokohama and the third tallest structure in Japan. The height of the building is 296.3 m. The construction of the building was completed in 1993. The skyscraper houses the highest observation deck in the country.
17:00 – Minato Mirai Future Port
The most famous area "Minato Mirai" is located in the central part of Yokohama and translated from Japanese means "port of the future". There are multi-storey office buildings, luxury hotels, shopping centers, restaurants, conference halls, and exhibition centers.
19:00 - Return to the hotel in Tokyo.
* Overnight at a 3-star hotel in Tokyo “Toyoko Inn Tokyo Shinagawa-eki Konan-guchi Tennozu”.
Tour operator by Of Japan KMP Group offers you a wide selection of different tours to Japan, from sightseeing tours and recreation in Japan, to business and yacht tourism, spa tours and treatment, as well as family tours with a visit to Disneyland.
Japan Is one of the most mysterious countries and is worth visiting at least once in your life. Despite the fact that the culture of the Land of the Rising Sun has experienced a very strong influence of Chinese culture in its time, it is distinguished by its originality and amazes with its special aestheticism.
Location and climate of Japan
This peculiarity is largely due to the location of this country. Japan is made up of over four thousand islands, the most important of which are Hokkaido, Ryukyu, Shikoku, Honshu and Kyushu. The country has access to several seas: from the west, its coast is washed by the Sea of Japan and the Strait of Korea, from the east - by the Pacific Ocean, from the north - by the Sea of Okhotsk, and the southern coast is washed by the East China Sea.
A fairly large part of Japan's territory is mountainous, and on its territory there are a fairly large number of volcanoes, several of which are still showing seismic activity.
Japan's climate is also very region-specific. In the north of the country there is a temperate climate: in the summer months, the air temperature here warms up to +30 C, while winters are quite severe here: the thermometer can drop to -15 C.
In the south, a tropical and subtropical climate prevails, which causes high summer temperatures: up to +38 C (in winter about +16 C) and a large amount of precipitation per year.
Popular resorts
Tours to Japan will take you to a special world. This world lives by its own laws that have existed for several centuries.
KMP Group specialists have been studying Japan for many years, we travel to this country regularly, but even for us it continues to be a source of new discoveries and inspiration. Japan is a country with a special aesthetics, a special culture and history, here even nature is permeated with some special charm that makes you come here again and again to admire the red autumn maples or cherry blossoms.
The Land of the Rising Sun provides a huge selection of places and attractions. As part of excursion tours in Japan, we have tried to find the most interesting routes for you, during which you will get to know this country, its culture, its past and present better. The Japanese managed to bring to life the Buddhist ideal of the "Middle Way": an amazing combination of opposites. Here you will see the harmony of manufacturability and attention to ecology, incredible efficiency and relaxed detachment, respect for nature and the use of the latest scientific developments.
The KMP Group invites you to choose the exact tour to Japan that suits you. Travel to Japan can be very different in its excursion program and in the duration of the tour. It can be only 3-4 days or several days, it can be different regions of the Land of the Rising Sun, but one thing remains unchanged - a special, incomparable "taste" of travel.
During your tours to Japan, you are unlikely to resist the local cuisine, which has already won its fans around the world. An abundance of seafood, specially prepared vegetables and rice, and, of course, Japanese tea, which has turned into a real ritual - all this is an obligatory part of the program. All this allows us to understand how completely ordinary everyday things like making tea or contemplating cherry blossoms can turn into a special mystery, imbued with sacred beauty and timeless meaning.
Tours to Japan combine both traditional Japanese aesthetics with the concepts of "wabi-sabi" and modern megacities with the latest technology. Moreover, all this is often available to you in one and the same place.
And, most importantly, tours to Japan are the brightest impressions, positive emotions and touch to the centuries-old wisdom of the Japanese people. We guarantee you all of this!
sights
We recommend starting any acquaintance with Japan from its capital - Tokyo. Here you will see an amazing combination of modernity and tradition. The Japanese tend to respect their culture, nature and all living things in general. This is largely dictated by the influence of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, the combination of which has created that amazing originality for which Japan is so famous.
In Tokyo, be sure to visit Shinjuku Gyoen Park, Samurai Museum, Odaiba District, National Museum of Advanced Science and Technology "Miraikan" and Tokyo's oldest Buddhist Temple Senso-ji. However, the number of attractions in the Japanese capital is not limited to these places, and besides Tokyo, you should definitely visit Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Nikko and Kanazawa.
Write to us, we will be happy to help you get to Japan!
