10 Types of Cherry Blossoms In Japan

Reading Time: 4 minutes

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When you think of Cherry Blossoms the word Sakura comes to mind. A Pretty pink flower that is great for selfies. It is a symbol of Japan. These assumptions or correct, however, they do not give to the entire picture of Cherry Blossoms. Sakura does not refer to a single type of flower. The word actually refers to the variety of flowers. Below is a list of the 10 Types of Cherry Blossoms

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1. Somei Yoshino
2. Yamazakura
3. Shidarezakura
4. Edohigan
5. Kanzan
6. Ichiyou
7. Kanhizakura
8. Kikuzakura
9. Ukon
10. Fugenzou

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Japan is home to around 200 varieties fo sakura. There are wild and cultivated kinds. This list will focus on the more common flowers in Japan. If you spot them in the wild, tag us on social. The variations, as you will see, are different in color, shape, and size.

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Somei Yoshino

The Somei Yoshino Cherry Blossom starts blooming in mid April in Tokyo. The blossom consists of five petals and is a very pale pink. Although they may look white, if you get up super close you will see a hint of pink. These blossoms are clustered together on the branches. The open just before the tree sprouts leaves.

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Yamazakura

Yamazakura is usually the most widely known around the world. It is a wild cherry blossom. They are also known as Hill Cherry because they are more common in Japan’s mountains. Yamazakura can be seen generally between March and April in the Kanto area and the blossom at the same time as the leaves.

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Shidarezakura

These trees are referred to as the Weeping Cherry. Pretty obvious. 🙂 They have a distinct characteristic of having their branches droop over. They are also the official flower for Kyoto which is the original capital of Japan. They bloom before the Somei Yoshino. In Fukushima, there is a famous tree known as the Miharu Takizakura or the Miharu Waterfall Cherry Tree. This Shidarezakua tree has grown for over 1,000 years and is one of the five great cherry trees in Japan.

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Edohigan

Edo-Higan gets its name because of its blossom aligning with that of Japan’s Western Spring Equinox, which is called Higan. The flowers are small and the petals are pale pink and round. The calyx is usually swollen. There is a 2,000-year-old tree known as the Yamataka Jindai Sakura. It is an Edo-Higan. It blossoms in Yamanashi in April.

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Kanzan

Kanzan are unique as they are categorized as a Yaezakura which means Double Blossom. Essentially any sakura that has more than 5 petals per blossom. What makes the Kanzan more unique is that they can have upwards of 50 petals per blossom. Their branches show off as well as their vibrant pink color.

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Ichiyo

Ichiyou means one leaf. There is roughly between 20-40 petals per blossom once fully open. There is a single pistil that shoots out from the center, giving it its name one leaf because it was thought to be a leaf. the inner petals are white with a light pink outer layer. The contrast gives way to a beautiful flower. Bright green leaves also surround each blossom. Because of their prominence in Asakusa, there is a festival dedicated to them each year.

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Kanhizakura

If you thought cherry blossoms were exclusive to mainland Japan, think again. On the island of Okinawa, they have a special kind of Sakura known to the island specifically. Though the Kanhizakura does not look like your typical Sakura tree, it is celebrated on Japan’s Ryukyu Islands, Vietnam, China, and Taiwan, as well. The Kanhizakura can bloom as early as January.

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Kikuzakura

The translation means “chrysanthemum cherry blossom.” The reason is for their uncanny resemblance to the Japanese Kiku or chrysanthemum flower. They have the appearance of a cheerleading pop-pom that is surround by very large leaves. These massive blossoms can have any where from 80 to 130 petals and are a pink color that is easy on the eyes.

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Ukon Sakura

A Ukon Sakura has a yellow hue to it. They are the exception to the rule of being pink. The word Ukon is the Japanese word for turmeric. Yes, the spice that is popular in indian curry that gives it that yellow color.

Fun Note, it is also used in the Japanese hangover prevention remedy you can find at a 7/11 in Japan.

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Fugenzou

The name give to this variety is odd. The literal Japanese Translation is ‘Samantabhadra elephant.’ It’s in reference to the Bodhisattva often depicted mounted on an elephant by Buddhist Artist. During the Muromachi Period (1336 to 1573) it was believed that the pistils of the Fugenzou sakura resembled the image mentioned previously. The leaves have jagged edges and they have a red tinge to the pink petals.

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Here is a site with some more facts about Cherry Blossoms

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