Spring also brings vibrant festivals, from the dazzling Takayama Matsuri to Kyoto’s geisha-led Miyako Odori. Whether you’re chasing blossoms or soaking in an onsen beneath the spring sky, Japan in spring feels like you’ve stepped inside a painting.

Each time I travel to Japan, I feel the same level of excitement I experienced during my first visit nearly 10 years ago. The adrenaline rush of walking below sparkling sky-high buildings, the kitschy cafes and sleek Michelin-starred restaurants,

A pink flower also known as sakura, cherry blossoms grow on trees that originally hailed in Asia and are considered the national flower of Japan. The cultivation of ornamental cherry trees began to spread in Europe and the U.