Frühling / spring

春 haru

Spring in Japan is usually from March to May. Due to Japan’s geographical expansion from north to south, the first cherry trees blossom (sakura) in the south at the end of March, and the north gradually follows suit. Hokkaidô in northern Japan enjoys its blossoms in May. Early spring (sôshun 早春), period of time: end of February until end of March, characteristic features: frost and plum-blossom season, falling down camellia flowers. Midspring (yôshun 陽春 = poetic), about April, end of night frost, cherry trees in full bloom, flower-viewing parties (hanami). Late spring (banshun 晩春), about month of May, blooming of azalea, magnolia, glyzinia and others; beginning of rice planting.