Hyoujun-ki: why these trees are extremely important to Japan?

In Japan, 59 samples of trees help define the dates of Hanami Matsuri. How? With an exemplary process carried out between nature and meteorologists. Let's talk about this!

In Japan, who declares the official dates of the festivals of hanami matsuri, which are the periods of contemplation of sakura flowers (cherry blossoms) by the country is the Japan Meteorological Agency. With much responsibility, observation, and wisdom, the agency uses a peculiar and infallible process to define the seasons. They monitor 59 sample trees, called hyoujun-ki, which cover the 47 prefectures of the country. The trees are usually of the species Somei Yoshino and are located in ideal position, without much light or shade. When five flowers bloom in each sample tree it is time to determine the festival plan and declare opened the most important season of the year in Japan.

Example: plan of confirmed and predicted flowering dates.

Image: Weathernews

At the beginning of 2019, in Okinawa, the weather was a little more humid, and then, the trees of the species Zanhi Zakura bloomed in late January. The most popular ones, the pale pink ones from the Somei Yoshino trees, came in the third part of March. The Somei Yoshino of Nagasaki was the first to have the five sakuras needed. The phenomenon happened on March 20, four days earlier than the average days of previous years. In 41 years, it was the first time Nagasaki had the first official flowering.

Sample tree at Yasukuni Temple

On March 21, shortly after 10 a.m., it was Tokyo's turn to open its season. The Somei Yoshino, the sample tree, generated five flowers! This tree is well positioned, with little light and shadow in the right measure, inside the Yasukuni temple. In early April, I went there to meet the special Somei Yoshino. During the visit, a friend told me that the day before March 21, the tree had four open flowers and that there was a crowd of reporters and media waiting for the birth of the fifth flower. : / On hearing this story, I was imagining the sample tree saying "calm, people! Breathe ... tomorrow, around 10 o'clock in the morning, there will be another little flower". Really, everything has its time.

Certainly, hanami matsuri is one of the most important times of the year in Japan. It is wonderful to enjoy the organization of the festival and, now, to know that the dates are defined based on a wise conversation between nature and meteorologists. Also, it is nice to think that the media is very important in this process, as Japanese and tourists are waiting for the official dates that are published.

The whole organization also moves the economy. In addition to the special services offered during the hanami, for instance, boats for rent in the lakes where there are many flowering trees, there are many sakura products, such as the ones below: honey and sake.

Finally, I point out six splendid places to viewing cherry blossoms:

In Tokyo:

1. View a sample tree from Tokyo (of course!): It is in Yasukuni-Jinja.

2. Chidori-ga-fuchi, where there are boats to rent and to see the cherry blossoms up close. One of my favorite places to visit.

3. Shinjuku Gyoen. There are huge trees there. I was enchanted.

4. Nakameguro, an incredible place with wonderful restaurants on the banks of the river.

In Yokohama:

5. Sankeien Garden. There, it's beautiful during the day and at night.

6. Minato Mirai. Touring the whole area is amazing!

If you are out of Japan and want to come and meet the most beautiful country in the world, I'll give you a valuable tip: come in the spring to appreciate the hanami matsuri. You will have an unforgettable experience and will be very welcomed by the Japanese, who prepare the festival with wisdom and impeccable organization.

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