Trivia about cherry blossoms: a roundup of fun facts to make springtime hanami even more enjoyable

Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”
Composition nerdmutō
Started performing in bands in junior high school. Influenced by Japanese rock and UK rock, spent over 10 years continuing band activities while creating original songs. Later began producing Vocaloid tracks using Hatsune Miku, with total plays of released songs surpassing 10,000. Has five years of experience writing for music magazines. Currently works as a music writer, director, and composer, keeping a ground-level perspective on the scene by attending live shows across Japan. Now performs at live houses in Tokyo, showcasing guitar playing centered on acoustic guitar and informed by knowledge of chord analysis and guitar scales. Also writes leveraging a broad knowledge of music genres.

Cherry blossoms, which bloom with beautiful flowers in spring, are a familiar plant to the Japanese, aren’t they? Of course, we often enjoy hanami (flower viewing), and you probably also encounter cherry blossoms frequently in works themed around spring.

In this article, we’ve gathered facts and trivia about sakura, which have long been loved by the Japanese.

We’ll introduce bite-sized knowledge that will make you more of an expert on cherry blossoms—stories, history, and more—about these trees that bloom in shades of pink and white.

Deepening your knowledge of sakura, a quintessential symbol of spring, will help you enjoy the cherry blossom season even more.

Be sure to check it out!

Cherry blossom trivia: A collection of fun facts to make spring hanami even more enjoyable (21–30)

When Emperor Meiji went cherry-blossom viewing, what was served was ‘sakura anpan’ (cherry blossom bean paste bun).

When it comes to cherry-blossom viewing, a variety of food and drinks is indispensable—and it seems the Emperor felt the same way.

During an ohanami outing by Emperor Meiji in the spring of 1875, the sweet presented to him was sakura anpan.

This sakura anpan was made by Kimuraya Sohonten, a bakery in business since 1869, by embedding salt-pickled cherry blossoms sourced from Nara into the anpan.

Emperor Meiji was said to be very fond of it, and afterward it began to be sold in the shop as well.

This event led to April 4 being designated as Anpan Day.

Raise the rankinglower

SAKI

Report a problem

The reason cherry blossoms are pink is that they contain a pigment called anthocyanin.

Cherry blossoms reach their prime in spring, displaying beautiful pink petals.

Most of the cherry trees planted in parks and viewed during hanami are Somei Yoshino.

Cherry blossoms, including Somei Yoshino, contain a pigment called anthocyanin, which gives the petals their pink color.

Anthocyanins are also found in red and purple plants such as blueberries, apples, and purple sweet potatoes.

However, there are over 600 varieties of cherry trees in Japan, and some bloom in colors other than pink.

There are cherry blossoms with white, yellow-green, and yellow flowers, so researching their pigment components could be fun as well.

Raise the rankinglower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

Trivia about cherry blossoms: A collection of fun facts to make spring hanami even more enjoyable (31–40)

The cherry blossom blooming declaration is determined by 58 sample trees.

From around late March, you start hearing news from across Japan announcing the blooming of cherry blossoms.

In fact, the official determination of cherry blossom blooming is based on designated sample trees in each prefecture.

When 5 to 6 blossoms open on a sample tree, it is considered to have begun blooming, and when over 80% of the buds have opened, it is deemed to be in full bloom.

As a rule, Somei Yoshino trees are used as the sample trees, and there’s a reason for this.

Somei Yoshino is a cultivated clone variety; it does not produce seeds and is propagated by grafting.

Because Somei Yoshino trees nationwide share the same genetic makeup, they bloom all at once under the same weather conditions, making it easier to predict blooming times.

In Hokkaido and Okinawa, where Somei Yoshino does not grow well due to cold or heat, alternative cherry varieties are used as the sample trees.

Raise the rankinglower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

In conclusion

We’ve introduced trivia and fun facts about cherry blossoms, which bloom beautifully in spring. Perhaps this has also given you a chance to learn about their characteristics and how they’ve been cherished in Japan. When you go cherry-blossom viewing, it’s a great idea to share these stories and your knowledge with family and friends. Why not deepen your understanding by learning the traits of various types of cherry blossoms—including well-known varieties like the Somei Yoshino?