Before moving to Japan, I almost always came on vacation starting in tsuyu/rainy season and for good reason: it’s a cheaper, less busy and still beautiful time to check out Japan!

If ever you find yourself in Akita City, Senshu Park (千秋公園）deserves to be near the top of your sightseeing list. Built on the ruins of Kubota Castle, home of the first lord of Akita, Kubota Han, the park is still a major location for tourists and locals alike.

Motosu City is in the countryside of Gifu, and the main attraction is the Usuzumi cherry blossoms. At the park, there is one very large, old tree on display. The explanation next to the tree, in all Japanese, explains that Usuzumi is over 1500 years old and is considered one of three great cherry blossom trees in Japan.

Japan is a country that is proud of having its four seasons. It is also a country where temporary is a way of living. So, in order to enjoy fully each season without missing anything, let's see what are the seasonal things one can do or experience in Japan.

During Hitsujiyama Park's Shibazakura Festival in Saitama you can stroll around the huge 1.8-hectare lawn filled with over 400,000 moss phlox of nine different varieties.

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.

Shinseikatsu literally means “new life activity”. It is the time of year that many people, young and old, strike out into new horizons and new lifestyles while surrounded by the symbolism of Spring and literal new life opening all around them.

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.

Each prefecture in Japan may have their own uniqueness of how they enjoy each season, such as certain festivals in a particular prefecture, however, each season throughout the country promises joviality and exciting Japanese culture experiences travelers can't find anywhere else.

For international students looking for an opportunity to present your culture and also meet people from all over the world...

If you are looking for a quiet place to view the ume, or plum blossoms, and you are visiting Yamanashi prefecture, Furouen in Sakaori would be a fine choice.

Probably you must have noticed, that some colorful azaleas such as pink and white bloom beautifully on sidewalks in late spring in Japan. They become more visible as summer sets in and are a common sight. It is really nice that we can enjoy pink flowers on the street even after cherry blossoms wither away, isn't it? Here are some things to know about Azaleas in Japan.