At first glance, cherry blossoms blooming across various parts of Japan in spring may look similar, with their beautiful soft colors. However, not many people realize that Japan has many different types of cherry blossoms, each with distinct shapes, colors, and characteristics.
So, what are the types of cherry blossoms that can be found in Japan?
Kanzakura
Kanzakura is one of the cherry blossom types that blooms much earlier than regular sakura, even while winter is still ongoing.
This flower usually begins blooming from late November to early February, showing bright colors in the middle of winter and creating a unique scenery in Japan before spring arrives.
Kanzakura is also different from typical spring cherry blossoms—its shape and color are slightly softer, with smaller petals and a larger number of them, so when fully bloomed, it can look like a scattering of beautiful small snowflakes.
Some of the best places to see Kanzakura in Japan include city parks such as Maruyama Park in Kyoto, Rikugien Garden in Tokyo, and Hakodate Park in Hokkaido.
Kawazuzakura
Kawazuzakura is another type of cherry tree that also blooms earlier than regular sakura.
Kawazuzakura starts blooming as early as the end of winter, usually in early February. This uniqueness makes it attractive for tourists who want to enjoy cherry blossoms earlier.
Kawazuzakura was first discovered in the 1950s in the Kawazu area, a town located on the eastern coast of the Izu Peninsula, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. This is where the name Kawazuzakura comes from.
The main characteristic of Kawazu Sakura lies in its bright pink petals and relatively larger flower size.
Somei Yoshino
Somei Yoshino is a type of cherry blossom developed during the Edo Period (1603–1868) in the Tokyo area and remains the most common cherry blossom in Japan today.
Its flowers have pale pink to almost white petals and usually bloom in mass before new leaves appear, making the tree look fully covered in blossoms without being blocked by foliage.
The blooming time varies by region, but it generally occurs from late March to early April. Some recommended places to enjoy the beauty of Somei Yoshino are Ueno Park in Tokyo, Osaka Castle Park in Osaka, and Hirosaki Park in Aomori.
Yamazakura
Yamazakura is a type of cherry blossom that naturally grows in the wild in Japan, unlike cultivated varieties such as Somei Yoshino. Its flowers are light pink with five relatively small petals.
What makes Yamazakura unique is that its young leaves appear at the same time as the flowers, giving it a more natural appearance compared to Somei Yoshino, which usually blooms without leaves.
One of the best places to enjoy Yamazakura is Mount Yoshino in Nara Prefecture.
Shidarezakura
Shidarezakura is a type of cherry tree with cascading branches and is one of the most popular and widely loved cherry blossoms in Japan.
Generally, there are two types of Shidarezakura; one with five petals and another with more than five petals.
The variety with more petals is known as Yaeshidarezakura, and it usually blooms about a week later than the five-petal Shidarezakura.
The most popular place to enjoy Shidarezakura is Kakunodate Samurai District in Akita Prefecture.
Yaezakura
Yaezakura is a type of cherry blossom in Japan known for its many-layered petals, far more than the usual five-petal cherry blossoms. Because of its dense and layered flowers, Yaezakura looks fuller and more abundant.
One distinguishing feature of Yaezakura is its later blooming period. It usually starts blooming after the peak season of Somei Yoshino, from mid-April to early May.
Yaezakura can be found in many parks and city streets, such as the Imperial Palace East Gardens and Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo, as well as Shizumine Furusato Park in Ibaraki Prefecture.
