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Every year is different when it comes to the sakura (cherry trees). As springtime begins, the country waits patiently for the first flushes of pink. Usually, the blooms burst into colour between March and early April. But, if you can’t make peak bloom, don’t fret. An alternative is February, when the equally beautiful but lesser-known plum blossoms are on show. Keep an eye on this handy sakura forecast to track when 2020 blooming is expected to start. This year will see cherry blossom season arriving earlier than usual in Tokyo. This is all down to the weather: a combination of high temperatures in autumn and winter, as well as warm and sunny weather in spring. Full blossom is now expected on March 27, according to a forecast by Japan Meteorological. Corp. Tokyo — March 19 Kochi — March 19 Nagoya — March 22 Hiroshima — March 22 Kyoto — March 23 Osaka — March 25 Kagoshima — March 25 Sendai — March 25 You’ll find sakura hotspots in over 1,000 locations across the c...

For those who are planning a trip to Japan, this article might be a bit of help. we have listed essential Japan travel tips and advice which are especially useful for first timers to Japan. Check out things to know before and during your trip in Japan during the Olympics season: Time: JST (Japanese Standard Time) is 9 hours ahead of GMT and has No Daylight-Saving Time. From north to south, all Japan is in one time zone. Climate: Japan has four distinct seasons: Spring (March to May), Summer (June to August), Autumn (September to November) and Winter (December to February). The climate and temperature vary depending on season and area, and also each season offers different attractions and sightseeing spots. Public Holidays: It’s a simple advice but it’s better to check the Japanese calendar than not doing. Japan has 16 public holidays through the year, and tourist attractions get very very crowded or some may be closed on these days. Especially, the long we...

Long regarded as one of the cornerstones of Japanese culture , the chadō , or tea ceremony, is a quintessential expression of aestheticism and philosophy in perfect harmony. But the story of how it came to be is an epic tale spanning centuries, including political intrigue, murder and suicide along the way. The tea plant was brought to Japan in the 9th century by a Buddhist monk by the name of Eichū on his return from China, where tea had been in widespread use for centuries. Eichū served the drink to an emperor not long after and an imperial decree was issued to start cultivating tea plantations in Japan. It would take another three centuries before tea ceremonies would become a spiritual practice. Initially, tencha , a type of matcha tea, was consumed at religious rituals in Buddhist monasteries. But by the 13th century, tea had become a status symbol and samurai were participating in luxurious tea-tasting parties, where prizes were given out for guessing the corre...

Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, is a UNESCO world heritage site, known for its hundreds of gigantic moai statues scattered all over the island. Check out the following places to explore the mysteries of Easter Island. Rano Raraku Known as ‘the nursery,’ the volcano of Rano Raraku , about 18km from Hanga Roa, is the quarry for the hard tuff from which the moai were cut. You’ll feel as though you’re stepping back into early Polynesian times, wandering among dozens of moai in all stages of progress studded on the southern slopes of the volcano. At the top, the 360-degree view is truly awesome. Within the crater are a small, glistening lake and about 20 standing moai. On the southeastern slope of the mountain, look for the unique, kneeling Moai Tukuturi; it has a full body squatting on its heels, with its forearms and hands resting on its thighs. Ahu Tongariki The monumental Ahu Tongariki has plenty to set your camera’s flash popping. With 1...

France is the largest nation in western Europe so train travel makes sense. Happily so, France has a fast and efficient train system and the French government has invested massively in high-speed trains (the TGV train or Train a Grande Vitesse), and on high-speed lines ( LGV or igne à Grande VitesseL ). There are over 1700 km (1056 miles) of dedicated high-speed lines and thousands more of main lines and smaller lines so almost everywhere is accessible by train travel in France . The French rail network links all the major towns while also linking up many small towns in rural France. With careful planning, you can get around just using train travel during your vacation. Generally, the trains are on time, comfortable and relatively cheap. However, some trains run only at certain times on certain days, so you need very careful planning if you are traveling in rural France by train. Like many capital cities, Paris suffers from having no central railway hub, but a number of m...

Ready to feel your pulse racing? From volcano boarding to cave diving, bungee jumping to kitesurfing, we’ve put together 8 adrenaline pumping adventure sports to try before you die and the stunning destinations that go with it. Volcano boarding Pioneered by an A ustralian traveller in León, Nicaragua, volcano boarding is the art of zooming down the face of an active volcano on a reinforced plywood toboggan. Using your heels to brake and steer, it’s possible to clock speeds of up to 90km/hr. That’s after you’ve hiked up the volcano, of course. Head to Leon’s Big Foot Hostel to try out volcano boarding. Freshwater cave diving Ocean scuba is extreme enough for some , but descending into a hole in the earth to explore a submerged cave system is next-level stuff. Stalactites are usually the big draw. Head to Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula has the world’s largest concentration of cenotes (sinkholes). Fringed by lush jungle, its crystal-clear turquoise po...

Being such a long stretched out country covering a variety of landscapes, Chile has a vast range of dishes to offer. While the highlights of Chile dishes are fish and seafood, we put a spotlight on the authentic and everyday Chilean foods you will find across the country. We discovered and wrote about seafood found along the long Pacific Ocean coastline. In Santiago , at the famous Mercado Central , we experienced locos (abalone) and pastel de jaiba (crab pie). Further north in the city of Valparaiso, we fell in love with a colorful city and incredible Reinata fish, a local white fish specialty. The high-quality Chilean wines are not to be missed. Maipo Valley, considered the ``Bordeaux of South America’ has exceptional wines. And Maule Valley, the largest and oldest wine region in the country, has several family-owned vineyards, offering small intimate tours. The below list of food will satiate your traditional cuisine cravings in Chile , this summer: Valdiviano Sour...

With easy access to beautiful landscapes and fascinating urban attractions, there are numerous cities across Chile that are well worth a visit. The following wonderful Chilean cities to visit this summer , combine the very best of the country’s diverse natural beauty and metropolitan appeal. Pucón A nine-hour drive south from Santiago, Pucón is the ideal city for adventure tourism. Located on the Villarica Lake with the active Villarrica volcano nearby, Pucón has numerous trekking and water sports opportunities for tourists. Miles of hike and bike paths surround the hilly terrain around the lake, ripe for exploration. In the city, you can easily rent bikes, kayaks or other equipment, or arrange activities like zipline rides and skydiving. In the area, there are also waterfalls, hot springs and caves accessible through local buses or tourism companies. Santiago Almost half of Chileans call Santiago and its surrounding area home. It’s easily Chile’s m...