Stunning Photos of Japan’s Cherry Blossom by Nationwide Geographic

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The cherry blossom sweeps along the length of the country each year, beginning with Okinawa in the far south in February and working its way along Japan to northern Hokkaido in May. Tokyo usually sees its first blossoms in the dying days of March, with full bloom falling around April 5. Kyoto follows a day or two later, while the mountainous areas around Takayama and Matsumoto bloom about two weeks later - beginning in mid-April. (Here is a calendar for the expected bloom dates.)

Japan has more types of cherry trees than any other country, over 200 in all. The blossoms are pickled and used to make a hot drink served on special occasions, and the leaves are pickled and used as the wrapping for sweets.

To have fun the arrival of Japan’s most magical season, Nationwide Geographic invited group members to ship of their greatest pictures of the nation’s well-known cherry blossom. Check out the photographs under to see for your self the beautiful submissions they acquired. Nature Landscape