dyximan

I am considering going to Japan in April, as I am told this is the best time to view the cherry blossoms. Has anyone ever done this, been there at this time. any advice concerning places to go stay etc would be appreciated. Also as a sidenote I recently found some artifacts from World War II that my father had, newspapers silk scarves etc. all written in Japanese I understand there may be some apps that can translate this anyone know anything about that?

Lyn Buchanan Loc: Alamogordo, New Mexico

Beautiful, but the cherry blossoms are mainly in the south. The royal palace grounds in Tokyo are the best place of all to see them. By all means, if you want to experience Japan, stay in a Japanese hotel, not a tourist hotel. Google "Japanese to English" and it will give you a pretty good translation of anything you type in.

dyximan

This might sound a little crazy but I was looking for an app that I could take a picture of the silk scarf and or newspapers and it will translate it in English am I crazy

dyximan

Thank you, do you have any advice as to how to find these Japanese hotels

Bill_de Loc: US

You might be crazy, but ...

https://support.google.com/translate/answer/6142483?hl=en

--

raypep

I lived in Tokyo for four years near a park called Inogashira Park . It was three blocks from the Kichijoji train station on the Chuo line (Orange). It is 30 minutes from central Tokyo. Inogashira has a lake encircied by cherry trees. I think it may have the most cherry trees situated in one place. The Japanese see the cherry blossom as a symbol of life: it quickly reaches the height of its beauty and remains that way for the shortest of time before dying.
Check to see when the blossoms will be in full bloom as it changes each year. Try to go on a weekday or very early in the morning on a weekend. The Japanese have “cherry blossom viewing parties”. Armed with large bottles of saki, groups of men and women will throw down a blanket and view the cherry blossoms, with one member identifying one in particular and reciting a poem. At some point on the weekend,every inch of space will be taken making it difficult to walk around.
I think there is little in nature to compare witha a cherry blossom at full bloom. Good luck.

raypep

Actually, there are a number of parks in Tokyo, especially Ueno and Inogashira, that have cherry trees that blossom in the spring.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Best advice I've seen here. I lived there for eight years, USAF + College and have family. (If you are male, <45 and good looking and have money, maybe I'll set you up with one of my nieces. LOL)

But seriously, cherry blossom time is usually in the last week or so of March and peak in the first week of April. Keep Googling for it and they usually begin predicting in late December or early January.

Cherry blossoms hold immense symbolism for Japanese because their life begins and ends so quickly, but their beauty is so sublime when it peaks.

Oh how I wish I were there on the plains of Musashino, viewing the blossoms.

cliburn

Been to Japan several times during the season. The exact timing at specific locations varies with the weather on a year to year basis. Moving from the coasts to the mountains and up the spine of the country. https://www.kyuhoshi.com/japan-cherry-blossom-forecast/
I agree stay at Japanese business hotels... they fine and clean and more reasonable than western chains (although small).
You might want to invest in a Japan Rail Pass or regional pass to be able to get around to the best locations.... there are many all over the place, and many other photo opportunities. https://www.japan-guide.com/ is a great source for research.
Another tip -- US ATM cards really only reliably work at 7-11's and the post office (not Japanese banks).

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You could also go to Washington, DC, but I can understand why you might want to avoid going there.

It was Japan's gift of the cherry trees that gave us Japanese beetles.

Google can translate anything.
https://www.google.com/search?q=google+translate&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS716US717&oq=google+translate&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.2742j1j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

There is a google language app. You take a photo, if I recall correctly, and then you swipe for the translation. Can't remember exactly how I used it, but I did use it in Italy recently. Good app for grocery shopping in foreign countries.

dyximan

Thank you

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

No, you're not crazy, because the words are not gonna type themselves in, nor can you read the characters!!!
Maybe find someone that speaks and reads Japanese to translate for you! Good luck
SS