Cherry blossoms mean big business for Japan: each year, an estimated 63 million local and international tourists travel to and across the country to witness this candyfloss spectacle, spending $2.7bn in the process. But I’d argue that Japan’s natural beauty is best seen in autumn.
I’ve visited Japan on several occasions, the first two of which coincided with the peak of the country’s renowned cherry blossom season. Don’t get me wrong, the trees are incredibly beautiful – but seeing them can be hit or miss. They don’t bloom on the same dates each year, and bloom schedules differ across regions – meaning it can be tricky to know exactly when to visit. Plus, their petals only last for about a week, parks become crowded with picnickers and Instagrammers, and airlines inflate prices to capitalise on the influx of snap-happy tourists.
