2022 - Japan Cherry Blossom!

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dilphinus

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Anyone also planning a 2022 trip to Japan for the cherry blossom festival?

I need to utilize my air miles aka redeem them by this mid-Sep.

Initially I wanted to plan for Hokkaido (not specifically for the cherry blossom) but I don't want to plan 'so much' and end up not going! Would probably plan a driving trip next time!

I'm now keeping my plans to either Tokyo + nearby regions (Niigata and Kanazawa, etc) or Fukuoka (and day trips to Nagasaki, etc).

I've been to Tokyo a few times and pretty familiar with the area. I'll be bringing my elderly mum so the focus will be nature and temples sightseeing. If I'm heading to Tokyo, then the Ashikaga Flower Park and Mount Takao are definitely in the itinerary. I've been to Mount Takao and I think this will probably be the easiest mountain for my mum (in terms of stamina)!

Any good suggestions on anything for my upcoming plans?
 
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Shizuka9

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Japan is so lovely during sakura season!

I brought 2 elderlies and 1 kid to Tokyo a few years back on self planned itinerary during late autumn. Did side trips to Hakone (stayed one night) and Kamakura (day trip). My elderly mom is not that mobile but the trip was manageable. main thing was to focus on 2-3 main activities a day as the elderlies can’t manage fast pace.

Hakone is great for the views and peaceful surroundings. We did the ropeway and boat ride across Lake Ashi before taking a bus back to ryokan for 1-night stay. Good to soak in the onsen at the ryokan. Kamakura is near enough to Tokyo with lots of temples, key ones being the Kotokuin with the Great Buddha and the nearby Hasedera with nice views over Kamakura and the sea coast. My elderlies could manage the walks around the temples. They really enjoyed both Hakone and Kamakura. Tokyo was too frenzied for them though 😅

If you want somewhere further from Tokyo as a side trip, Nikko is a nice option, being a UNESCO world heritage centre. I did it as a solo day trip before. The shrines there are lavish and climb up to Tokugawa Ieyasu‘s mausoleum is through a lovely forest. However, Nikko may be a bit challenging for not so mobile elderlies with the climb up the many flights of stairs at the shrines.

Since you’re familiar with Tokyo, I shall not say too much. Just that if you’re going during sakura season, the elderlies might enjoy going for hanami at Ueno Park Or Shinjuku Gyoen.

Hope the above help. Do enjoy your trip to Japan!
 
purpleberry

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Have you checked if they allow international visitors by then? For elderlies, you can focus on Tokyo and south of it. Hokkaido is still quite cold.
 
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dilphinus

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purpleberry said:
Have you checked if they allow international visitors by then? For elderlies, you can focus on Tokyo and south of it. Hokkaido is still quite cold.
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There's no point in checking and no way to check so far ahead. The covid situation is changing too fast. That's the reason why I'm choosing a trip/destination that's easier and less time consuming and takes lesser effort to plan for.

I'm debating if we should head to Seoul instead as South Korea is doing a so much job than Japan in handling this covid situation. The likely hood of South Korea allowing vaccinated tourists in is much higher than Japan.

Now, we can only gamble with probability. Just like in life, at times we make decisions based on calculated risk.
 
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KyushuWoozy

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Hisashiburi said:
  • Fukuoka: 16 March
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In 2021 Fukuoka "first bloom" (開花) was 12 March (11 days earlier than average) and "full bloom" (満開) was 22 March (10 days earlier than average). That article linked to doesn't specifically mention if the dates it references are first or full bloom however after I checked the source it is the predicted date for first bloom. Considering that these early predictions are on average wrong by 4 days it looks pretty similar to last year's blooming dates.

Actually, one of the few good things about this virus situation is that we did all our sakura viewing last year without the crowds :)🌸
 
rrr2015

rrr2015

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KyushuWoozy said:
In 2021 Fukuoka "first bloom" (開花) was 12 March (11 days earlier than average) and "full bloom" (満開) was 22 March (10 days earlier than average). That article linked to doesn't specifically mention if the dates it references are first or full bloom however after I checked the source it is the predicted date for first bloom. Considering that these early predictions are on average wrong by 4 days it looks pretty similar to last year's blooming dates.

Actually, one of the few good things about this virus situation is that we did all our sakura viewing last year without the crowds :)🌸
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saw plenty of heavy snow storms so am surprised sakura still predicted to arrive early
 
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KyushuWoozy

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rrr2015 said:
saw plenty of heavy snow storms so am surprised sakura still predicted to arrive early
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Yes, some crazy snow this year in Japan 😍

I think a lot depends on the temperature between now and flowering time too. If it's warmer than usual over next couple of months, the flowering likely to be earlier than usual.
 
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luishoon

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Kyoto is beautiful if you dont mind the crowd.

pics were taken during 2021 March.
I guess going to be more people this year.
But with cases hitting 40k yesterday, I am also not so sure when will foreign tourists be let in....

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luishoon

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KyushuWoozy said:
Yes, some crazy snow this year in Japan 😍

I think a lot depends on the temperature between now and flowering time too. If it's warmer than usual over next couple of months, the flowering likely to be earlier than usual.
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take cares. Kyoto also had record numbers. I had to dig for my car this year. lol.
 
rrr2015

rrr2015

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luishoon said:
Kyoto is beautiful if you dont mind the crowd.

pics were taken during 2021 March.
I guess going to be more people this year.
But with cases hitting 40k yesterday, I am also not so sure when will foreign tourists be let in....
Click to expand...
japan vax rate hit 80%, hope they consider reopening once they hit their target or/and severe cases have lowered considerably.
 
rrr2015

rrr2015

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KyushuWoozy said:
Yes, lots of predictions start coming out around this time of year. There used to be official government predictions from Japan Meteorological Office but now all predictions are from commercial companies.
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commercial meteorological or landscaping companies? read flower bloom could be controlled to some extent
 
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