Page 26 - Seniorstoday May 2023 Issue

Travel

Quintessentially Japan

There are tourist traps and there are tourist traps, and Japan’s Cherry
Blossom season could be rated as amongst the Top 10 tourist traps in the

world, writes Vickram Sethi

Every year, millions of people worldwide
flock to Japan to witness the extraordinary
phenomenon of the Cherry Blossom season,
where a sea of sakura flowers carpet Japan’s
gardens, streets and river banks in pink
hues.
There are tourist traps and there are
tourist traps. According to me, Japan’s
Cherry Blossom season could be rated as
amongst the Top 10 tourist traps in the
world. Himeji, Japan at Himeji Castle in spring season
Cherry blossom trees represent hope,
new life and beauty and there are a
plethora of festivals around these trees.
These celebrations are driven by a lovely
concept called ‘hanami,’ a Japanese custom
that dates back centuries and consists of
visiting parks and other outdoor locations
to appreciate the blossoming of cherry trees
(sakura) and sometimes plum trees (ume). Himeji castle and cherry blossom

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