Rain Before Blossoms

Posted by Kyle Yates in Kansai Culture, Kansai Leisure

Every year just before cherry blossom season, spring brings rain to the Kansai area of Japan, which fuels the trees to bloom forth the beautiful sakura “cherry” blossoms.

Rain has been falling every other day or so here in the Kansai region of Japan this spring. Those braving the elements to sightsee or do hanami, cherry blossom viewing in Japanese, should take an umbrella or at least wear a jacket that repells rain.

If you don’t have a jacket that at least resists water, have no fear. There are tons of cheap umbrellas for sale that visitors can easily buy at convenient stores, and convenient stores can be found within a few hundred yards of almost any train station.

As for the cherry blooms, they are just starting to show. Trees in the Kyoto area are at about 20%.

The best time to see cherry blossoms in Kyoto should be this coming weekend. Saturday and Sunday, of rain doesn’t fall, should be prime cherry blossom time. From this coming weekend to next weekend will be the best week for viewing sakura flowers.

The cherry blossoms should be fully bloomed, mankai, by the end of next week.

Another update will be written in another day or two.