Sakura is the Japanese name for cherry trees and their blossoms. Sakura is indigenous to many Asian states including: Japan, China, India and Korea. Japan has a wide variety of sakura.

In Japan, cherry trees were planted and cultivated for their beauty, for the adornment of the grounds of the nobility of Kyoto, at least as early as 794.

Every year the Japanese Meteorological Agency and the public track the sakura zensen (cherry blossom front) as it moves northward up the archipelago with the approach of warmer weather. The blossoming begins in Okinawa in January and typically reaches Kyoto and Tokyo at the end of March or the beginning of April. It proceeds into areas at the higher altitudes and arrives to Hokkaido a few weeks later. Japanese pay close attention to these forecasts and turn out in large numbers at parks, shrines, and temples with family and friends to hold flower viewing parties.

We went for sakura viewing to Kyoto, and the above photo was taken at the Imperial Palace gardens.