When over 80% of Sakura flowers open up, it is called a ‘Full Bloom’ and the Japanese go out to picnic in parks to enjoy the dawn of spring. The trees in Kumamoto were a few days prior to a full bloom ...

Japan’s beloved flower is the cherry blossom. According to the traditional Japanese calendar, spring officially starts on February 4, the day known as risshun. Kicking off spring in Japan is the ...

Cherry Blossoms for a Limited Time. Kumamoto Castle was originally built in 1607 by Katō Kiyomasa (1562–1611), a warlord who acquired a reputation for his castle construction efforts.

Timed to coincide with the best viewing season is the Yuyama Onsen Sakura Festival featuring a fireworks display, performances of traditional kagura dance, and a marathon. Ichifusa Dam Lake (Kumamoto) ...

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Soldiers from Wisconsin National Guard's 64th Troop Command visited the local fortress Kumamoto castle Jan. 24 as part of Yama Sakura 59's cultural exchange programs.

Kochi/Kumamoto – The sample Somei-Yoshino cherry trees monitored by the Japanese Meteorological Agency bloomed in the cities of Kochi and Kumamoto on Sunday, marking the earliest blooming in the ...

Born in Fukuoka, Toshio Katsuki , 56, is one of Japan's few experts on sakura, or cherry trees.His professional field is dendrology, the study of trees, and he has worked at the Kyushu branch of ...