Since the start of 2019, many in Japan have been eagerly engaged in something known in Japanese as sakura zensen, I.e. predicting when the first cherry blossoms of the year will make their appearance, with the bulk of them usually arriving in March and April.
Icons of Japan and admired for their delicate beauty, the cherry blossoms have become a core part of the country’s national cultural heritage, and a range of social events and cultural practices are linked to the appearance of the flowers.
These dainty, pretty blooms highlight for the Japanese an appreciation of the beauty to be found in nature, as well as being a symbol for the fragility of life. Their annual emergence symbolises new beginnings, and 1 April marks the first day of the year for both the country’s financial and academic worlds.
If Japan is on your bucket-list, Spring in the northern hemisphere (or Autumn for us Saffas) may be the perfect time to take a trip there. You will not only be able to take in the cherry blossom trees that line the roads but also experience cherry blossom season in unique, off-the-beaten-path ways through sakura-themed Airbnb Experiences in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka if you choose.
If Japan is a bit far away for you, but you have an appreciation of this festival and cherry blossoms nonetheless, we do have the cousins closer to home. While the Japanese trees do not bear fruit, their South African cousins contribute to what is a young cherry industry in South Africa. Locally, there is a great deal of opportunity for the cherry season to become far more of a tourist experience for both locals and foreign tourists visiting SA.
Cherry picking in South Africa
One town in South Africa has placed itself on the map for its role in the local cherry-farming industry: Ficksburg in the Free State, which is known as South Africa’s Cherry Town. The town’s annual Cherry Festival, which is held in the third week of November, is the country’s oldest crop festival. Visitors from all over make their way to the town during the festival to enjoy the many activities organised by the townspeople, with a firm favourite being the demonstration of the making of cherry mampoer, a strong moonshine drink that can be distilled from a variety of fruits.
This region borders Lesotho, and its scenic beauty is dominated by the majestic Maluti mountains. So, if you’re keen to get there for the Cherry Festival, take a few days extra to enjoy the surroundings: the quaint village of Clarens, the Golden Gate Highlands National Park with its beautiful sandstone formations, and the verdant hills across the border with Lesotho.
There’s lots of accommodation to choose from in this area, from guest farms and game lodges, to stone cottages, and even tree-houses for adults. Book with a local Airbnb host and pick their brain about the local cherry industry and things to see and do in the area. Take a look at these accommodation options in Ficksburg or consider a stopover in Clarens. It’s an easy drive from Clarens to the Cherry Festival.
In the Western Cape, cherry picking experiences for the public are popular, mostly during October and November. A large cherry farm near the scenic town of Ceres, which is about a two-hour drive from Cape Town, is the place to go. Ceres has plenty to offer tourists as well as cherries: farm experiences, ziplining adventures, hiking, mountain biking, and more. Make it a long-weekend stay during cherry season at any of the local Airbnb establishments, and you’ll go back home feeling rested, with baskets of lovely fresh cherries.
More recently, cherry-farming has taken off near Rustenburg in the North-West of SA. The producer, who has eyes on the international export market, claims that their cherries are the only ones available worldwide during the six-week season from mid-September to the end of November.
Whether you travel to Japan for the cherry blossom trees or make a local trip for the cherry fruit, you’re bound to have a memorable time.
Picture: Pexels
