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2018/4/19 NAGANO CHERRY BLOSSOM UPDATE
  • 2018/4/19 NAGANO CHERRY BLOSSOM UPDATE

    The blossoms are now coming into full bloom across Nagano including at Yamanouchi and Kanbayashi Onsen – home to our favorite furry residents, the snow monkeys!  The small and quiet streets of Kanbayashi Onsen are now lined with feathery white cherry blossom trees making the approach to and from the park look spectacular.

     

    Kanbayashi Onsen is in bloom – a perfect setting for your walk to the monkey park!

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    You may well be wondering why the cherry blossoms of Nagano are now in bloom when they have already fallen from the trees in many parts of Japan?  When the trees come into flower depends on several factors including weather, altitude, and the species of tree.  At approximately 850 meters elevation, Kanbayashi Onsen is of the higher locations you will find cherry blossoms.  The higher elevation means a slightly cooler climate, delaying the blooming of flowers, which is encouraged by the warmer temperatures of early spring.  When the blossoms will flower also depends of the type of tree, of which there are many!

     

    ‘Somei yoshino’ or ‘Yoshino Cherry‘ is one of the most common and first to bloom.  These trees can grow to great sizes with distinctively strong trunks and branches tipped with classically white petal blossoms.  Another common variety is the ‘shidarezakura’ or ‘Weeping Cherry‘, a much slighter tree with fine drooping branches and soft pink petals.  Finally, the ‘yaezakura’, loosely translated as ‘Multilayered Cherry‘, is wild tree with multilayered petals of varying shades of pink.  It is last of the three to bloom and its larger flowers convey a symbolism of strength.

     

    These are just three of many!  This variation with the trees means that as the blossoms start to fall from one tree, they are often blooming on another; and given the wide variety of topography and climate across Japan (and even within local regions!) the timing and appearance of blossom season varies greatly from place to place.

     

    ‘Sakurafubiki’ and the flower carpets at Kokuganji Temple

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    As Kanbayashi Onsen comes into full bloom, elsewhere in Nagano petals are starting to fall in what Japanese refer to as ‘sakurafubiki’ or ‘flower blizzards’.  This too is an exceptionally beautiful time.  At Kokuganji Temple, the blossoms are starting to fall from the trees, showering visitors in a rain of white and pink petals.  The ground is carpeted making it an enchanting setting to walk through.  It remains a fantastic location to enjoy the blossoms with friends and family.

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    We’d love to help you explore this beautiful country and discover the local places, faces, and beauty that is often missed by visitors to Japan.

     

    So come with us and escape to the country in blossom season: https://www.snowmonkeyresorts.com/tour/1-day-snow-monkey-and-cherry-blossom-tour/