If you’re jetting off soon to catch a peek of the cherry blossoms, you’re in luck. Here, GRAZIA Singapore tells you everything you need to know before taking off for your flight. From the best spots to snag your Instagram-worthy pictures to things to do (and not do) while waiting for the blooms to reach their full potential, these are the best travel tips to keep in mind for your next sakura season adventure.
Not many people know this but there are quite a few varieties of cherry blossoms found all over the world—the ones found in Tokyo, for instance, are typically of the Somei Yoshino variety, known for its light pink flowers and early blooming season. Other varieties can be found in East Asian countries such as China, South Korea and even in parts of northern Europe. So before you flock specifically to Tokyo just for the beloved sakura season, do some research so you can choose the destination that works best for you and your travel style.
When it comes to the sakura season, patience is key. There is no rushing nature, especially when global warming comes into the picture—the rising temperatures have, in years past, been impacting blooming season. That said, be prepared to spend more time than expected when trying to catch a glimpse of the blooms. Don’t just stay in the area for a day or two, these things take time and when on holiday, time is your best friend.
To make your journeys less strenuous, consider an accommodation in close proximity to the cherry blossom gardens, wherever you decide to go. In Japan, that would include areas like Shinjuku Gyoen and Chidorigafuchi in Tokyo, and near Mount Yoshino in Nara (yes, with the famed bowing deer). In South Korea, the prime spots for cherry blossom-viewing are near Namsam Park and Seoul Forest Park. So, dear traveller, plan accordingly.
If the key focus of your trip is to snap some killer Instagram photos surrounded by cherry blossoms, keep your other plans flexible (at least during the day). Be prepared to spend your mornings checking on the progress of the trees—you can even make a couple of trips down to the sakura gardens to be extra sure. Sure, this calls for more effort, but who among us hasn’t gone above and beyond for an unforgettable Instagram shot before?
For anyone who has been dying to ride the film camera trend, why not take your trip as the sign to invest in your very first camera? Beginners can look towards some tried and true brands, like Fujifilm or Kodak for great starter film cameras, for that signature green-tinted glow. With film cameras, don’t worry too much about perfecting each shot—there’s a simple beauty in candid photos that you just can’t mimic with modern-day digital cameras.
Japan, especially, is a great place to pick up your first camera. There are little stores all over Japan that make the best place to kick off your newest hobby—we promise you won’t be disappointed. Head to the west area of Shinjuku and you’ll find a a number of shops that not only sell new and secondhand film cameras, they also house quirky accessories and add-ons that you can purchase to make your camera your own.
One of the biggest mistakes that we all make when it comes to packing is not being prepared for fluctuating weather. In Singapore, we’re lucky enough to experience (typically) comfortable weather year round. But when visiting countries with seasonal weather shifts, it’s important to be prepared for pretty much anything. It just snowed in Tokyo last week, during the early days of sakura season. You never really know what to expect when visiting temperate climates, so it’s better to pack layering options for you to style up or down depending on the day’s weather forecast.
Anyone visiting Japan (or any dense city, really) would know that space is truly a luxury. Hotel rooms are more often than not compact, which means a bulky luggage is a no-go. Don’t even think about splaying open your suitcase on the ground; free floor space is usually a far-fetched dream. Rather than the conventional portmanteau style, luggage brands like Lojel have innovated different ways to save on precious space.
This year, Lojel has unveiled two new Cubo sizes that break away from conventional luggage dimensions: the Cubo Small Lite and Cubo Fit Lite, the latter of which is a god-send. Much larger than a standard cabin luggage, but smaller than the usual hefty check-in suitcase, the Fit Lite is perfect for week-long travels, no matter the destination. With more than enough room for even a 10-day trip, the suitcase eliminates the need for an additional carry-on luggage. Plus, the space-saving top-open feature means you never have to wiggle around your hotel room ever again.
Beyond all this, the most important thing to do when you’re catching the cherry blossom blooms is to relish in all the culture. Doll yourself up, head to sakura-viewing parties (typically held in parks and gardens across East Asia during cherry blossom season), or just set up a simple picnic under the pretty pink flowers. There’s nothing quite like it.
If you want to match the baby pink blooms, bring along some makeup goodies to complete the look. We recommend Makeup by Mario’s Soft Pop Plumping Blush Veil in shade Pink Peony or even YSL Beauty’s Make Me Blush Bold Blurring Blush in shade Babydoll Pink. Now you’ll be just as breathtaking as the blooms around you.
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