Cherry blossoms and Higan in 2023
Cherry blossoms at Aoyama Cemetery! I look forward to it every year. Finally, on March 22, 2023, I went to see them. I knew going was a mistake. True, but I was in a bind. The flowers weren’t quite at their best. But I didn’t have the luxury of time. The weather forecast for the following two or three days was rain.
What can I say? The weather was great. Still, the cherry blossoms were about two days off their best. Anyway, I had to work with what I had.
For this visit, I was fortunate. There was a public holiday in Japan the day before my visit. Do you know Higan? It had a slight impact on my photos!
What is Higan?
Higan is a Buddhist holiday in Japan. It’s like Obon. Japanese people return to their hometowns to pay respects to their ancestors. That means going to cemeteries, cleaning graves, laying flowers, and praying.
When is it?
It goes for seven days; on either side of the Spring and Autumnal equinoxes.
Why is it good for photographers?
I love cemeteries, but they can lack color. Flowers change them. They add a little extra color to the graves for a few days. And in spring, the cherry blossoms are a bonus.
Conclusion
I wanted to go to Aoyama Cemetery when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. But the weather was a problem. So, I thought it was better to go and get pictures. That seemed better than waiting and ending up getting rained out.
Well, if the forecast is wrong, I can go again. I hope that will be the case. Still, I was glad Higan was celebrated the day before I went this time. It’s good to see and learn new things. Leave questions and comments below.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
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