From late March to early May, Japan’s cherry blossoms (sakura) signal the arrival of spring, painting the country in delicate hues of pink and white. These blooms are more than just a seasonal marker—they represent the transient nature of life and the beauty found in impermanence. This symbolism aligns closely with the start of Japan’s fiscal and academic year in April, reinforcing themes of renewal and fresh beginnings.
Each year, millions take part in hanami, the long-standing tradition of flower viewing, where people gather under blooming trees for picnics, celebrations, and quiet reflection. From Tokyo's city parks to rural temple grounds, sakura season draws locals and tourists alike to witness the blossoms at their brief but brilliant peak.
The Science of Sakura: Variety and Cultivation
Key varieties include Prunus × yedoensis (Yoshino cherry) and Prunus subhirtella (Higan cherry), cultivated across Japan for their synchronised, striking spring blooms. Yoshino cherry trees, widely planted in parks and cities, are often genetically identical clones, enabling the dramatic, uniform flowering that defines the sakura season. Their pale pink flowers create immense canopies that last just over a week, attracting thousands to sites like Osaka Castle, Tokyo’s Ueno Park and Kyoto’s Maruyama Park.
Osaka Castle, Japan.
The Higan cherry, known for its early flowering, adds to the seasonal spectacle with its graceful, weeping branches. These ornamental trees have been bred and refined over centuries for aesthetic traits and cultural importance. However, they typically live only 25–50 years, requiring ongoing replanting and maintenance, especially in urban environments where conditions can be harsh.
The cherries grown for eating in Japan are distinct from ornamental sakura trees, which produce small, bitter, and generally inedible fruit. While sakura blossoms are globally associated with the country, Japan is not a leading cherry-producing country. Despite the nation's iconic status in cherry blossom imagery, countries such as Turkey, the United States, and Iran far outpace Japan in commercial cherry output. This highlights the deep cultural importance of sakura—not as a fruit crop, but as a national symbol rooted in tradition, aesthetics, and seasonal celebration.
Bloom Records: Climate Change Signals in Kyoto
Kyoto has recorded sakura peak bloom dates since 812 CE, offering one of the world’s oldest phenological records. In 2025, peak bloom occurred on April 4. Comparatively, these dates have steadily moved earlier—now averaging about a week sooner than a century ago.
Credit : Our World in Data.
This trend is strongly influenced by urbanisation and rising global temperatures due to climate change. Warmer springs cause trees to flower earlier, but this shift can disrupt ecological timing, such as the availability of pollinators, which affects both biodiversity and tree health. Additionally, cherry blossoms rely on a period of winter chill to trigger proper flowering. If winters continue to warm, trees may not receive sufficient chilling hours, leading to irregular or failed blooming. The record-early bloom on March 26 in 2021 is a striking example of how sensitive the trees are to even slight climatic variations. Such early blooms are likely to become more frequent, highlighting the sakura’s role as a visible and poignant indicator of climate disruption.
Tourism and Environmental Impact of Sakura Season
The Sakura season draws millions of visitors from around the world—over 3 million tourists visited Japan in March 2023 alone, many of them timing their travels to witness the brief but breathtaking cherry blossom displays. Iconic viewing spots such as Kyoto’s Philosopher’s Path and Tokyo’s Ueno Park often become extremely congested, leading to overcrowding, trampling of vegetation, and degradation of historical and natural sites. Increased foot traffic and vehicle congestion contribute to higher carbon emissions and localised pollution.
Gathering in Tokyo, Japan.
In smaller communities and traditional areas, the surge in tourism can overwhelm infrastructure, put pressure on waste management systems, and disrupt everyday life for residents. Local governments have voiced concerns about these seasonal strains, prompting some regions to introduce visitor caps, timed entry systems, and public education campaigns.
While sakura tourism is a significant contributor to Japan’s economy—stimulating hospitality, food, and retail industries—it simultaneously presents growing ecological and social challenges. Addressing these impacts through sustainable tourism practices and better crowd management is becoming increasingly essential.
Sustaining the Sakura Legacy
Japan’s cherry blossoms connect science, culture, and ecology. As climate patterns shift and human impacts grow, preserving the sakura tradition calls for cultural care and environmental stewardship.
Gentian’s work actively supports biodiversity through cutting-edge ecological technology. In urban environments like Tokyo, we use ultra-high-resolution satellite imagery that can map individual trees, green roofs, and habitats. A key example of our impact is the project we conducted in the London Borough of Lewisham. We mapped over 134,000 trees across the borough.
Maps like these reveal species patterns and gaps in vegetation—vital tools for conservationists and city planners. By offering an 'eagle-eye view of nature,' we empower data-driven decisions that make cities greener and more resilient.
