Japan's cherry blossom season came a little later than expected this year


By LEESAN
Thousand-year-old weeping cherry blossoms (Shidare-zakura) at the Kodaiji Temple in Kyoto. — Photos: LEESAN

Japan’s Sakura Matsuri festival started as a simple celebration of spring time, but has since evolved and developed to become a major pillar of the country’s tourism industry.

In just 30 days – from mid-March to mid-April – the number of inbound tourists in Japan can easily surpass three million. It is not hard to imagine how much this influx of tourists will stimulate consumption in various economic sectors. Even the very commonplace matcha ice cream, seasonal desserts and pharmaceutical gifts, along with the sandos and bentos sold in Japan’s ubiquitous convenience stores, are snatched up each day.

Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 11.12/month

Billed as RM 11.12 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 9.87/month

Billed as RM 118.40 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Travel

How can I protect myself from illnesses while on a holiday cruise?
Claustrophobia when travelling: How to keep it from closing in
City and coastal getaways are popular options for this school holiday season
Tunisia's peak holiday season off to a slow start
Visiting France? Catch this DJ spinning at a bakery near you
Hotel demand in World Cup host cities still not picking up
Saudi airline faces difficult launch as war upends travel
Young travellers go on 'microtrips' to maximise limited time off from work
Master your photography skills in Patagonia's wild landscapes
The experiences sector is the third largest in the travel industry

Others Also Read