Along with the chrysanthemum, sakura (桜 or cherry blossoms) is one of Japan’s most famous flowers―and one of the most-loved. Also the flower embossed on the back of the one hundred yen coin, sakura trees bloom for all of around one week out of the whole year–even less if it rains. Every year, traditionally between mid-March to mid-April, explosions of pale pink cascade through the country, south to north, leaving a trail of delicate petal confetti. This fleeting beauty is not only appreciated but also celebrated in Japan, where people lay out picnic sheets underneath the blossoms to enjoy leisurely lunches. Called ohanami (お花見), the activity literally translates to flower-viewing and can occur during the daytime and at night if trees are specially lit. Yozakura (夜桜) or night-time cherry blossoms are stunningly picturesque―even slightly eerie―and are not to be missed.

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