Cherry blossom or ‘Sakura’ is synonymous with Japanese spring as the whole country becomes awash with pink. Throughout Japan there are open spaces that draw huge crowds as the ‘Hanami’ or cherry blossom viewing parties enter full swing. Cherry blossoms are in bloom for only a week, between late March and mid-May. The Shinjuku Gyoen or Arashiyama bloom throughout Kyoto, while Cherry blossoms in Kyushu start blooming earlier than other regions of Japan. The Japanese call this the cherry blossom front, and it is one of the main topics of spring.