In Japan, spring is more than just a change of season. It is a special time of year filled with important turning points in life.
From March to April, many kinds of change take place across Japan.
- At schools, it is the season of graduation, kindergarten entrance, school entrance, and moving up to the next grade.
- In companies and government offices, it is the time for personnel transfers and the start of a new business and fiscal year.
March is often seen as a season of farewell. It is the time when students say goodbye to classmates and teachers, and workers part from colleagues because of transfers or new assignments.
But what makes spring in Japan so moving is that it is not only a season of endings.
After farewells come new encounters, new places, and new lives.
A New Chapter Begins with Cherry Blossoms
This period of change also coincides with the blooming of cherry blossoms, one of the most symbolic images of Japan.
Under blooming sakura trees, children enter new schools and adults begin new jobs or new roles.
For Japanese people, this scenery carries a deep emotional meaning.
Cherry blossoms fall after only a short time. Their brief beauty is often seen as a symbol of how precious and fleeting life can be.
Why Spring Moves the Hearts of Japanese People
Spring is a season when endings and beginnings arrive at the same time.
It brings both the sadness of parting and the hope of meeting new people.
Because these emotions exist together, spring has a unique power to move the hearts of Japanese people.
If you visit Japan during this season, try not only to enjoy the cherry blossoms, but also to notice the feelings and cultural meaning behind them.
There, you may discover a side of Japan that guidebooks often miss.