The town is famous for its well preserved samurai houses and traditional architecture, which have earned it the nickname of "The Little Kyoto of Tohoku". It is also one of Tohoku’s most popular cherry blossom spots with hundreds of beautiful shidarezakura (weeping cherry blossoms) lining the streets of the historic samurai district.

In English, it means ‘Bank of Deities’. Though not as popular as the famous ‘Takato Castle’, Rokudō no Tsutsumi is arguably the better option for your ‘hanami’ or flower viewing party in the spring time. And, though access is granted all year round, it is in spring that this small and seemingly insipid pond really shines.

What some may not be aware of, however, are the equally beautiful but less famous Japanese plum blossoms! Plum blossoms, like cherry blossoms are a signal for the beginning of spring, and though they are often overshadowed by the popular cherry blossoms, the flowers are stunning in their own right. Though they are similar in some ways they are also quite different in appearance, variations and blooming period.

Happen to miss the cherry blossoms in Tokyo or Osaka this year? No worries, it’s not too late to see them in Hokkaido!

Gathering with friends to enjoy the cherry blossoms, eat good food, and maybe even indulge in some sake is what spring in Japan is all about.

Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom in Tokyo now and there’s many famous areas to see the pink and white flowers across the city.

In Yokkaichi prefecture, along the river side and small bridge ways, these trees which are bare the whole of winter would sprout out their little buds at the beginning of April which is a sign the time for celebration.

Most people don’t know that you can enjoy hanami (flower viewing) in late February to early March if you visit the Izu Peninsula.

Thanks to Okinawa's southern location and warm climate, it enjoys the country's earliest hanami season, usually starting by the end of January and going into the first two weeks of February.

In Osaka, there are many locations with beautiful cherry blossom viewing spots, such as the iconic Osaka Castle. This time, I would like to introduce a district where a huge part of it is covered in cherry blossoms, Sakuranomiya.

And there’s no better place to enjoy sakura than in Japan’s northeast, where you can take in the blooms with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

The Prefecture just north of Tokyo is not only less crowded, but has more green spots that boast a great array of cherry blossom hotspots just waiting to be gazed at.