Each of Japan's 47 prefectures has its own authentic pilgrim routes, some hundreds of years old, and others have been followed by artisans, pilgrims, Buddhists, samurai, geisha for more than a thousand years. Today we visual artist-photographers are hiking, meditating, enjoying authentic Japanese ryokans, onsens, and authentic Japanese cuisine along with sweet rice wine saké on the same Za-zen hanami trails that the previous travelers did while appreciating the ephemeral simplicity and beauty of what should be, in my opinion, Japan’s national flower. Japanese culture varies from location to location as much if not more so than the sakura blooms themselves. For example, in Aichi Prefecture, you can photograph the spectacular blossoms along the Gojo River, and perhaps you may see some of the blossoms fall ever so artfully into and along the path as well as into the river itself. Across Niigata prefecture, and along the Sea of Japan North to Aomori then Hokkaido is home to Japan’s most stimulating, passionately beautiful cherry blossoms, and along this authentic pilgrimage route, you will find dozens of Samurai Castles and hundreds of ancient shrines and temples that worship natural Japan and especially in spring the awaited cherry blossom after the winter snow. I highly recommend Takada Cherry Blossom Festival Niigata Attractions Travel and Takada Park in Joetsu City, Niigata prefecture. The cherry blossoms are perfect at any angle, and I know you can’t miss framing the Takada castle to provide the opportunity to take the picture of a lifetime. The same blossoms may never come again, but you will have the Japan photographic adventure of your lifetime spent in Japan, chasing the perfect cherry blossom.