From late March to mid-April Japan’s famed sakura (cherry blossoms) attract visitors from all around the globe, blanketing the country in pastel splendour.

Cherry blossom season is one of the best times of year to visit the Land of the Rising Sun, and World2Cover travel insurance has some tips for Aussies looking to make the journey.

• The season is fleeting so if you’re planning a trip or already there, regularly check the Japan Guide online resource to stay up to date with predicted blooming times.
• Be sure to try limited editions sakura-flavoured food and drinks during your stay.
• Read up on the history and cultural significance of the event. In ancient Japan, the arrival of the cherry blossom announced the start of rice-planting season and used to forecast the year’s harvest.
• Make sure you view the cherry blossoms at different times of day.
• Consider sticking around a week after the bloom, when the petals fall creating amazing photo opportunities.
• If you would like to see cherry blossoms outside peak season, consider visiting Okinawa in the south where blossoms open as early as January or Hokkaido in the north, where they bloom as late as May. 

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