Cherry Good Stuff

Japan has plenty of interesting and unusual traditions, but one which might be a bit easier for the average westerner to understand is the national love of the cherry blossom, which can be seen at its best in the gardens of the Osaka Mint Bureau in April (dates to be confirmed).

Naturally enough, there is more to it than just the beauty of the flowers, with the cherry blossom being as much the flower of Japan as the thistle represents Scotland or the shamrock Ireland.

According to Wikipedia, the spring flowering plant represents the ephemeral nature of life.

Over 300 cherry trees with over 100 varieties of the blossom exist in the gardens, which open for a week each year.

Apart from the blossoms, Osaka has many interesting things to see and do.

Visitors staying in cheap hotels can visit the Sumiyoshi Shinto Shrine, the reconstructed Osaka castle and Peace Osaka, a museum that gives an honest account of the second world war, being open about Japan's own acts of cruelty as well as its own suffering in the conflict.

This article is provided by Hotels Hotels Hotels suppliers of cheap hotels in Japan

Updated: Sat, 20 Jan 2007 00:00:00

Related Links:
Japan Tourist Board