Originally maintained as a festival by the upper classes, who were having access to sophisticated gardens, the Hanami celebration became popular during the Edo Period.

The first step was made by the shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune, who planted large areas of sakura trees in Edo, example later followed by many towns. Thus appeared parks accessible to common people, and some of them remained popular Hanami venues until today.

Umekoji Park, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Simply beautiful Japanese scenes, Kotoji lantern illumination