Tokyo | We saw Our First 夜桜 (Yozakura)

Tokyo | We saw Our First 夜桜 (Yozakura)

• 3.02.2017

This shot was taken under very very low shutter speed

We finally got to see some sakura flowers before we left Japan, it was unusually early for a couple of trees to have full blossoms out of nowhere in the freezing temperature of early February but i am glad it did. At least i got to bring #mylilparasite to see it for herself.

Though it was pitch dark that evening (around 6pm) when we decided to hunt for some sakura trees at Yoyogi Park (saw a twitter update), we managed to take some nice memorable photos, thank you Eiji & Yuko-san for encouraging us to not give up until we found the trees. Was almost dying from the cold because i barely ate after the whole ordeal and the cold got to me. 

You can imagine it was snowing and towards evening the temperature drops below 2 degrees making it quite cold to stay out too long outdoors that's why i'm always back in my room by 6pm while in Kyoto.  

We wouldn't have gotten to see it as well if we didn't go down to Tokyo, by right it was still too early for any to be sighted in the city however in Kanagawa (Yokohama area) it was about 30-40% full bloom already then again it's unusual as it seems Sakura blossoming for 2017 came a couple of weeks earlier than forecasted unlike the previous years before that. Well snow came during mid of Autumn in 2016 and Kyoto had it's rare heavy snowfall that's said to only occur once every 2 or more years.

It is hard to predict mother nature's plans but it's not hard for you to plan and book for your flight to Japan. 

Traveler's Tip: There are many types of flowers that may resemble Cherry blossom but if you look closely they could be Ume (plum) blossom in various colors like pale pink, dark pink and even white

You can read more on how to distinguish them in this post

What we experienced was phenomenal, a combination of both seasons under the moonlight

This is called this 夜桜 (Yozakura)

It was a precious moment for the both of us and i wished it could last forever but we had a flight to catch home, this was worth freezing myself searching for it in the pitch dark park to finally be able to see these beautiful flowers with my very own eyes. Also thanks to my trusty Canon EOSM10 for being able to capture such a breathtaking shot especially when i couldn't even see my own hands in front of me. How i wish i could have seen them during day time as well, it would most definitely give out a different kind of mood under the sunlight but nonetheless both would look amazing anyways :)
If you have already planned to visit Japan around this period, do take tons of photos and tag me k!

For those of you who are still unaware of the blooming dates i'll leave this info graphic below so you can at least decided which prefecture to book your flight tickets to on AirAsiaGo

Picture credit to Japan-Guide

Recommended Sakura Viewing Spots

Tokyo

• Yoyogi Park
• Koganei Park 
• Chidorigafuchi Moat
• Ueno Park
• Shinjuku Gyoen 
• Meguro River
• Inokashira Park
• Rikugien Garden
• Omiya Koen Park

Kyoto

• Tetsugaku no Michi (Philosopher's Walk)
• Maruyama Park
• Kiyozumi-dera (under construction)
• Gion Shirakawa Minami-dori
• Hirano Jinja Shrine
• Daigoji Temple
• Ninnaji Temple (for late blossoms)

Osaka

• Osaka-Jō-Kōen (Osaka castle park)
• Expo’70 Commemorative Park 
• Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park
• Kema Sakuranomiya Park 
• Osaka Mint Bureau

Nara

• Matabei Sakura
• Mt. Yoshino
• Saho Riverbanks
• Ukimido Gazebo
• Yamato Koriyama Castle

Sapporo

• Maruyama Park and Hokkaido Shrine
• Odori Park
• Moerenuma Park

I know many hold off purchasing their flight tickets and room booking till it's closer to the season because want to arrive just on time to fully experience this (technically most of the time we gamble lol) but there's always the risk of crazy price surges and rooms being fully booked since this is considered a peak season in Japan and who doesn't want to see sakura flowers?

Luckily AirAsiaGo is catering to us last minute (typical Malaysian style) travelers who did not plan to see the blooms this year but has the sudden urge to YOLO ("you only live once"stunt), you can now do so with their crazy saver deal which costs as low as RM799 for both flights and accommodation.

Head over to AirAsiaGo's North Asia Sale

Hopefully one day i would be able to experience hanami festivals at least once but not so soon, maybe next time but for those of you who are complaining about expensive flights and all during spring season, there's no reason to anymore thanks to AirAsiaGo. Best to quickly grab them before they are all sold out, don't say i didn't give a heads up.

Booking Period: February – 15 March 2017

Travel Period :27 February – 15 May 2017

Give AirAsiaGo a LIKE on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AirAsiaGo

Missing Lil Parasite & Japan Dearly,