Sakura – or cherry blossoms – are one of the enduring symbols of Japan. ... Lake Kussharo (Hokkaido): Some 300 whooper swans migrate to Lake Kussharo every winter.

Yama Sakura, which means "Mountain Cherry Blossom", is an annual, full- spectrum, combined CPX with U.S. and Japanese military forces working to strengthen Japan's self defense operations.

This year, sakura season, known as 'hanami' in Japan, takes place between late March tothe end of April, advancing from the south to the north of Japan, before finally reaching Hokkaido.

Most people think of cherry blossoms in full bloom when talking about spring in Japan. The blooming season of cherry blossoms gradually starts from the south, so cherry blossoms in Hokkaido start ...

The sakura in southern Japan (Kagoshima, Fukuoka) will usually start to bloom first, followed by those on Japan’s main island (Osaka, Kyoto), and lastly northern Japan (Hokkaido). However, the ...

Lake Mashu in Hokkaido, Japan. Credit: Alamy. Laying eyes on Lake Mashu, often considered Japan's most beautiful lake on the northerly island of Hokkaido, is not good luck.

The U.S. Army, Pacific and Japan's Ground Self Defense Force will conduct Yama Sakura 57, a joint command-post exercise, at Camp Higashi-Chitose, on Hokkaido, Japan Dec. 7-14.