MAY 2025

The cherry blossom, or sakura, is one of Japan’s most representative flowers. There are famous cherry blossom viewing sites all over the country. Among them, scenes of cherry blossoms at castles and parks built on castle ruins are widely popular among Japanese people. The blossoms make a beautifully harmonious picture against the historical buildings and stone walls that have survived or been rebuilt. This issue of HIGHLIGHTING Japan is devoted to the cherry trees that bloom at various castles and castle ruins around Japan. Featured in this issue are: Hirosaki Park, the site of Hirosaki Castle, where about 2,600 cherry trees of 52 varieties show all their glorious blossoms in spring; Himeji Castle, a site registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site where over 1,000 cherry trees bloom; and Kumamoto Castle Park, home to Kumamoto Castle, which has been undergoing reconstruction work since a 2016 earthquake.