0:00:02 > 0:00:05There's one season that's more anticipated and loved
0:00:05 > 0:00:08than any other on the planet - spring.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13So, for the first time ever, Springwatch is travelling
0:00:13 > 0:00:17to a country where they celebrate this prettiest of natural events
0:00:17 > 0:00:20like nowhere else on Earth.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Hello, and welcome to Japan!
0:00:22 > 0:00:25We've come here to experience one of the most spectacular,
0:00:25 > 0:00:30the most anticipated and, as you can see, most celebrated
0:00:30 > 0:00:32springtime events in the world -
0:00:32 > 0:00:37the emergence of the sakura, Japan's cherry blossom.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41We've come to Tokyo, one of the world's busiest cities,
0:00:41 > 0:00:46to experience this explosion of pink, along with millions
0:00:46 > 0:00:50of other locals and tourists that have also come here to celebrate
0:00:50 > 0:00:52the start of spring.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55And as spring erupts through Japan, we're going to follow it
0:00:55 > 0:00:58step-by-step to explain this phenomenon in terms of the impact
0:00:58 > 0:01:01that it has on all of the people, which you can see, and,
0:01:01 > 0:01:03of course, the wildlife too.
0:01:03 > 0:01:08We're going to explore sakura, in Japan's ancient capital, Kyoto
0:01:08 > 0:01:11and its modern capital, Tokyo.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14I'm going in search of an exquisite little bird
0:01:14 > 0:01:16that I've never seen before,
0:01:16 > 0:01:19and it absolutely loves cherry blossom.
0:01:19 > 0:01:25It's a very busy tree but this tree at this time of year is a sugar factory.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29While Chris is bird-watching, I'll be meeting some streetwise bees
0:01:29 > 0:01:32making honey from the city's blossom.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Oh! That is so good.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39And ethnobotanist James Wong has also joined us to explore
0:01:39 > 0:01:42the cultural and spiritual links with sakura -
0:01:42 > 0:01:46visiting the hidden Buddha on Mount Yoshino.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50They are only on show to the public when the sakura are blossoming.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54And, if all that isn't enough, we've just about crashed one
0:01:54 > 0:01:57of the biggest nature festivals on the planet.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01And I've heard, Michaela, that after dark, after a day of drinking sake,
0:02:01 > 0:02:04- things can get really wild here. - Really wild.- Really wild!
0:02:04 > 0:02:08So welcome to Springwatch in Japan.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10It's cherry blossom time.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13TRADITIONAL MUSIC
0:02:33 > 0:02:38Welcome to Ueno Park in Tokyo, where blossom is in full bloom.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40I've got to say, 1,200 trees here, Michaela,
0:02:40 > 0:02:42and they are looking fantastic.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44We're here to celebrate what has to be one of the most
0:02:44 > 0:02:49hotly anticipated and, let's face it, prettiest festivals of spring in the world.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52And you can follow what's going on live on our website,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55not only in Japan, of course, but all across the UK.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Across Japan there are about a million cherry trees,
0:02:58 > 0:03:02and as the blossom blooms, it marks the arrival of spring
0:03:02 > 0:03:06in a sort of pink wave across the country from south to north.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11The Japanese archipelago covers about 2,000 miles across 20 latitudes
0:03:11 > 0:03:15so it takes the cherry blossom, or sakura, as it's called
0:03:15 > 0:03:19here in Japan, about 15 weeks to make its appearance
0:03:19 > 0:03:21throughout the country.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23And it opens when daytime temperatures reach somewhere
0:03:23 > 0:03:26between 17 and 20 degrees Centigrade.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29What temperature do you think it is today?
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- I'm quite hot. I'm a little bit overdressed.- It's not 20 degrees. - It is!
0:03:32 > 0:03:33- No, it's not.- You feel the cold.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35It's still quite chilly, to be quite honest with you.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38Hey, listen, hold on to this map, will you? Let's sit down
0:03:38 > 0:03:40and make ourselves comfortable here,
0:03:40 > 0:03:45because I can show you how the blossom moves south to north across this archipelago.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49So, it started down here on 14th January and, possibly,
0:03:49 > 0:03:52the prediction says that it will end up here, on Hokkaido,
0:03:52 > 0:03:56close to this little spot here on 9th May.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Now, at the moment we're in Tokyo, here, and, as you can see,
0:03:59 > 0:04:01it's pretty much at its prime, but it isn't a simple
0:04:01 > 0:04:04south to north relationship. There are a few little discrepancies
0:04:04 > 0:04:06and we'll be talking about those later.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08But every year is different.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12And so, it's a real gamble as to which week you pick to come here.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Come here too early, ahead of the blossom,
0:04:14 > 0:04:17come here too late and all you'll see is a carpet of pink.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20I think we're spot-on here in Tokyo.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24I mean, look at it! It's out in bloom, it's looking absolutely gorgeous.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26How long do you think it's going to last?
0:04:26 > 0:04:30Well, typically, it goes through a 14 day cycle from bud
0:04:30 > 0:04:32to the petals on the ground.
0:04:32 > 0:04:37At the moment, I'd say we were possibly on about day ten or 12.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40There's still a few more buds to open but there are some that
0:04:40 > 0:04:42are already shedding their petals.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45We are at peak time. We've hit the mark on this occasion.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48But so many people come here to celebrate this festival.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50Tokyo is absolutely packed.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Everywhere you go in this park, people are staring up
0:04:53 > 0:04:55at the pink blossom.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58Hotels are booked months, if not a year, in advance.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01It's a fantastic celebration of pink and spring.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03It's quite heartening, isn't it?
0:05:03 > 0:05:06Millions of people coming out in response to nature.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09And millions of them do, not just here in Tokyo
0:05:09 > 0:05:12but throughout Japan, and not just Japanese people, people come from overseas too.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15That said, it's not just about humans,
0:05:15 > 0:05:18it's not just about the blossom, it's about wildlife too,
0:05:18 > 0:05:21because this time of year is also known as keichitsu -
0:05:21 > 0:05:23the awakening of the creatures.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30Japan's long string of Pacific islands
0:05:30 > 0:05:32has an extraordinary climate range.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41From mid-January, the cherry blossom, or sakura, as it's known,
0:05:41 > 0:05:44starts to open in the southern islands where temperatures can
0:05:44 > 0:05:47reach a balmy 20 degrees Celsius.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54Whilst 2,000 miles away in Japan's far north,
0:05:54 > 0:05:57the island of Hokkaido is still gripped by ice and snow.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05Only found on Hokkaido, Japanese red-crowned cranes gather
0:06:05 > 0:06:08to strengthen their social bonds,
0:06:08 > 0:06:12in anticipation of their breeding season when spring finally arrives.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19By late March, on the main island of Honshu, in the middle
0:06:19 > 0:06:22of the country, spring is in its infancy.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26Sakura is replacing the snow
0:06:26 > 0:06:30but daytime temperatures are only just drifting into double figures,
0:06:30 > 0:06:34and the blossom makes a welcome snack for the Japanese macaques.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42But it's at the foot of the archipelago, on Okinawa,
0:06:42 > 0:06:44where spring is well underway.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50The subtropical waters of the Pacific are teeming
0:06:50 > 0:06:54with life, fuelled by Japan's own Gulf Stream,
0:06:54 > 0:06:58the Kuroshio Current.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01These warm waters draw visitors, large and small,
0:07:01 > 0:07:03throughout the year,
0:07:03 > 0:07:07but in spring perhaps the most reliable are female green turtles
0:07:07 > 0:07:09returning to lay their eggs.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14And here is where it all begins.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18The warm waters create warm air currents which hit the land,
0:07:18 > 0:07:23triggering a wave of pink sakura to sweep up the country,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26announcing the arrival of spring.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31But, of course, accurately forecasting that journey isn't
0:07:31 > 0:07:34as predictable as you might think.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40And there's a good geographical reason for that.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43There's a warm water current which typically helps spread
0:07:43 > 0:07:48the blossom from south to north, but another factor is involved.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52A range of mountains that runs down here and they shelter places
0:07:52 > 0:07:56like Tokyo from the cold air coming off the Asiatic continental landmass,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59which would come across here.
0:07:59 > 0:08:00So Tokyo is sheltered.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04However Kyoto, down here, no mountains, plenty of cold air
0:08:04 > 0:08:07and it suffers from what I'm calling blossom lag.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11I don't know what the Japanese for "blossom lag" is but I'm going to look it up.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14I've introduced a whole new factor to this festival - blossom lag.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17But, despite all that, preparations are still well underway.
0:08:17 > 0:08:22So, James went to Nijo Castle, one of the most sacred places in the ancient city,
0:08:22 > 0:08:25to look at the history of this spectacular festival.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32GENTLE TRADITIONAL MUSIC
0:08:38 > 0:08:43Surrounded by magnificent gardens, Kyoto's impressive Nijo Castle
0:08:43 > 0:08:46was built over 400 years ago,
0:08:46 > 0:08:50but the history of cherry blossom viewing, or hanami, as it's known,
0:08:50 > 0:08:55dates back far further here in Japan's ancient capital,
0:08:55 > 0:08:58with records going back as far as the eighth century.
0:09:00 > 0:09:05But it wasn't always about cherry blossom.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09Look at this spectacular plum blossom,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12peaking just before the sakura come into flower.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16It was originally this guy that the Japanese celebrated.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18In fact, it was their national flower.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21It was only changed to the sakura later because its blossoming
0:09:21 > 0:09:25ties-in perfectly with spring rice planting.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Therefore, the success of the blossom was used to predict
0:09:28 > 0:09:31the fortunes of the harvest.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36As the symbolism grew, the aristocracy started planting
0:09:36 > 0:09:39cherries in their own private gardens.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43With the Emperor Saga popularising hanami in the ninth century
0:09:43 > 0:09:47by having parties under the blossom at his Imperial Court,
0:09:47 > 0:09:49here in Kyoto.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53Then, after centuries of being celebrated,
0:09:53 > 0:09:56in only the gardens of the elite, a very special
0:09:56 > 0:09:59sakura was discovered.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01And this is him right here. The somei-yoshino.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05It's considered the most beautiful of all cherry blossom.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08It's a hybrid that's discovered in the 19th century
0:10:08 > 0:10:11and then massively propagated, cloned, so it's
0:10:11 > 0:10:13absolutely everywhere,
0:10:13 > 0:10:19and for that reason, this single variety makes up 80% of sakura trees in Japan.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23And because it's a clone, it's showy blooms are guaranteed
0:10:23 > 0:10:25to blossom at the same time as its neighbours,
0:10:25 > 0:10:30providing the visual spectacle that is modern hanami.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33Finally, a cherry tree for the masses.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Japan's adulation for this blossom brought with it
0:10:42 > 0:10:44a commercial explosion.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47The sakura season has become big business.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51So I'm taking Michaela on a Kyoto shopping trip, where the streets
0:10:51 > 0:10:54are quite literally dripping with sakura souvenirs.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59We've come into the heart of Kyoto now, to the region they call Gion,
0:10:59 > 0:11:02and it's where traditional and modern really do collide,
0:11:02 > 0:11:06and there's not a single somei-yoshino cherry tree in sight.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09That said, Michaela, there's blossom everywhere.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12It's beautiful. It's so pink - and we should have a look!
0:11:12 > 0:11:15And blossom is big business. BIG business.
0:11:20 > 0:11:26The sakura season is worth billions and billions of dollars to the Japanese economy,
0:11:26 > 0:11:30and March and April is the peak time where everyone's looking
0:11:30 > 0:11:34for something with sakura in it, with it smelling of sakura,
0:11:34 > 0:11:36or basically, something that's just pink!
0:11:38 > 0:11:42These are pickled radish flavoured with sakura leaves.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44OK. Let's give it a go. Taste that!
0:11:46 > 0:11:48Oh! I quite like that.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50That's a good taste.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55I like the fact that here, Chris, look, we've got sort of sakura
0:11:55 > 0:11:58season and Christmas all in one sort of cracker.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01- The artwork is amazing!- Look at the little tray that they put it on,
0:12:01 > 0:12:04as if it's some sort of valuable watch or something like that,
0:12:04 > 0:12:06not something you'd eat.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Look at this! They are presented like jewels!
0:12:11 > 0:12:13Like valuable jewels.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17Each of these is made by a different confectioner in Kyoto.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20They deliver them in the morning and when they're sold in the evening, it's all over.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23They've gone forever. And look at this one. It's perfect.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26It's like a little blossom. I'd like one of these, please.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28That's a sakura leaf,
0:12:28 > 0:12:32sakura blossom and inside it's sticky, sweet rice,
0:12:32 > 0:12:38all coming in a beautifully packaged box. Of course, it's pink!
0:12:38 > 0:12:40So I think I'll have this, please.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44This is where the packaging goes to like, er, Love Actually.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47Yeah.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49It's everything, the whole works.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52Matching bag.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Maybe just a little sprinkle of something in there.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58If you've got a sweet tooth, the choice of things you could buy
0:12:58 > 0:13:01in this supermarket is unbelievable and it all has a sakura theme.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03I mean, look at that. That's sweet pink rice.
0:13:03 > 0:13:08It's a box within a bag within a bag - and within the box are two of the most
0:13:08 > 0:13:11beautiful sweets that I've ever seen in the whole world.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18- Well, I'm very pleased with my purchase.- Yes.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30You know, there's a Japanese phrase which is that
0:13:30 > 0:13:32the first bite is with the eye.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35What they mean is, as soon as you see something,
0:13:35 > 0:13:37you make a judgment of it.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41Therefore, they're really keen on their presentation.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43I'm very excited about trying these, I've got to tell you.
0:13:43 > 0:13:48Look, come on, take your pick. These look absolutely remarkable.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50They really... That is a work of art.
0:13:50 > 0:13:55Right, I'm going for the more brightly coloured one.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59GENTLE MUSIC PLAYS
0:14:02 > 0:14:05CAMERAS CLICK
0:14:07 > 0:14:11I know all those sweets were beautifully presented but I have
0:14:11 > 0:14:14to say, having tasted them, given the choice now,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17- I think I'd prefer a chocolate bar. - No, no, no, no.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21The presentation, the presentation was immaculate. It was beautiful!
0:14:21 > 0:14:24I love all those sort of clinical shops, everything laid out in tanks.
0:14:24 > 0:14:25But it was too much packaging.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28Beautiful, but way too much packaging.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31It's time to talk blossom now, and of course, all of this
0:14:31 > 0:14:33stuff isn't just thrown together willy-nilly.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35This takes planning.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38It does take planning, but how on earth do you plan a party
0:14:38 > 0:14:40if you can't know the date?
0:14:40 > 0:14:43If each year the timing of the blossom changes?
0:14:43 > 0:14:46Well, as we know from Springwatch, nature has very much an objective
0:14:46 > 0:14:50to run to its own schedule, so what we need now is a bit
0:14:50 > 0:14:53of a science lesson. Join me as I go back to Kyoto
0:14:53 > 0:14:56for a bit of blossom biology.
0:15:06 > 0:15:07Let's be frank about it.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11In this wonderful avenue of ancient trees at Nijo Castle,
0:15:11 > 0:15:14things are still pretty brown at the moment.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18And I'm no expert, but I'd say it's going to be a few more days
0:15:18 > 0:15:23before this is transformed into an avenue of blossom.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26But then the whole process is almost impossible to predict.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32And the reason that it's almost impossible to predict is that it
0:15:32 > 0:15:35comes down to the vagaries of nature and the weather.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38You see, some of these cherry trees need to go through a process
0:15:38 > 0:15:41called vernalisation. All sorts of plants do.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44The seeds, bulbs and the trees themselves,
0:15:44 > 0:15:46and it's all to do with chilling.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50Some of these species need to be below freezing
0:15:50 > 0:15:52for at least 1,200 hours.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55Only then is there any chance at all that they might
0:15:55 > 0:15:57open their buds and bloom.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01So quite clearly, this tree here has gone through that
0:16:01 > 0:16:04vernalisation process, and this one is fully open
0:16:04 > 0:16:07and it's looking splendid.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10HE SNIFFS And it's got a very delicate aroma.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13And of course, the unpredictable nature of this generates a real
0:16:13 > 0:16:15sense of anticipation.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18And here, even in the rain now, people have got their brollies up
0:16:18 > 0:16:21and their hoods up, but they're all standing here taking
0:16:21 > 0:16:23photographs of this tree,
0:16:23 > 0:16:25and I feel compelled to join in, I have to say.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33That's very kind. Thank you very much. Thank you.
0:16:35 > 0:16:36Look at that.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40Kyoto, cherry blossom in bloom. Chris Packham.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Superb.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44BIRDS CHIRP
0:16:55 > 0:16:57Chris, you've gone all cheesy on us with your cherry blossom photo.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01What do you mean, cheesy? I was just joining in. Everyone was taking photos!
0:17:01 > 0:17:03I was just trying to become part of the festival and the culture.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05You'll be getting a selfie stick next.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- I feel compelled to join in! - I will not be getting a selfie stick.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10- What do you want?- A photo. - This one's more appropriate.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13The blossom matches the colour of your coat better.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16There we are. Smile. Brilliant.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20Thanks! As Chris was saying, the anticipation of the celebration
0:17:20 > 0:17:23just adds to the excitement, but of course it's not
0:17:23 > 0:17:25all left to chance.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27There's a lot of time, effort and money that goes
0:17:27 > 0:17:30into getting the timing of the sakura spot-on.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33And as you can imagine here in Japan, technology plays its part.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36So a few days ago I went to one of the weather agencies
0:17:36 > 0:17:41here in Tokyo to see just how exact they can get their predictions.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53This is the headquarters of WNI.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57It's the largest private weather news agency in Japan.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59As you can see, it's all very technical.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Lots of screens with maps and graphs and things on it.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06Now, just to give you an idea of how important this whole operation is,
0:18:06 > 0:18:09on one side of this room they monitor storms,
0:18:09 > 0:18:12hurricanes and earthquakes, and on the other they monitor
0:18:12 > 0:18:14the cherry blossom prediction.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18And at this time of the year, that's just as important.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20They look at temperature, wind conditions and light,
0:18:20 > 0:18:24and they also rely heavily on input from the public, who send
0:18:24 > 0:18:28in photographs of how their local blossom is progressing.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32They can receive up to 3,000 photographs in just one day.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Analysing all that data is Yuri.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Yuri, it's so important for you to get it right.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Do you get nervous at this time of year?
0:18:43 > 0:18:46SHE SPEAKS JAPANESE
0:18:52 > 0:18:57Well, yes, I feel pressure because it's only one week that
0:18:57 > 0:19:02people can see the beautiful sakura tree for a whole year,
0:19:02 > 0:19:04so the pressure is on.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Is the bloom later this year?
0:19:08 > 0:19:11SHE SPEAKS JAPANESE
0:19:21 > 0:19:25It started blooming very early in Tokyo, but afterwards,
0:19:25 > 0:19:29the temperature went down, and so it's now very slow,
0:19:29 > 0:19:32and in Kyoto it's really late this year, unfortunately.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37'Yuri explains that the buds go through seven stages
0:19:37 > 0:19:38'before they blossom.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42'Over in Kyoto, they've reached stage six,
0:19:42 > 0:19:48'so theoretically, in three days, the blossoms should arrive.'
0:19:48 > 0:19:51- Thank you so much, thank you. - Arigato gozaimasu.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55CHRIS: Sakura forecasting may be a hi-tech affair today,
0:19:55 > 0:19:59but traditionally it depended on a few expert individuals,
0:19:59 > 0:20:03and the predictability of Japan's prized cherry tree,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06the cloned somei-yoshino.
0:20:06 > 0:20:11Now, over here, just here, is a cherry tree like no others.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13It's more important than this cherry tree here,
0:20:13 > 0:20:15and indeed this cherry tree and this cherry tree
0:20:15 > 0:20:19because this is the indicator tree for Kyoto.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21There are 90 indicator trees spread across Japan,
0:20:21 > 0:20:26and it's these trees which determine whether the hanami season
0:20:26 > 0:20:28will start here or not.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31So, someone has to make that judgment,
0:20:31 > 0:20:34and that person is in attendance this morning.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38This is Mr Hatoka, and his job is to determine
0:20:38 > 0:20:42whether this tree is bursting into bloom or not.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45This job is a huge responsibility.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47It involves recording the temperature
0:20:47 > 0:20:49and checking the tree twice a day,
0:20:49 > 0:20:53once in the morning and again in the afternoon.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56And he needs at least five buds to have opened
0:20:56 > 0:21:00before he can announce the start of Kyoto's sakura season.
0:21:00 > 0:21:05No wonder he arrives early and works diligently
0:21:05 > 0:21:09because trying to find just five open buds
0:21:09 > 0:21:14in amongst this tree of thousands is quite tricky.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19- Ah, here, just here. I see. - Yeah, yeah.- Thank you, yeah.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23- There were two flowers there. - Two.- Two flowers.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27Two flowers completely open, and a few others partially open.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32'But is that enough?
0:21:32 > 0:21:36'I'm dying to ask the million dollar question.'
0:21:37 > 0:21:41Mr Hatoka, is today going to be the day?
0:21:41 > 0:21:45HE SPEAKS JAPANESE
0:21:45 > 0:21:47- Yes, he thinks.- He thinks it is!
0:21:47 > 0:21:50He thinks it is. He thinks it is! Yes!
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- The man from Kyoto said yes. - Was he right?
0:22:01 > 0:22:02Well, of course he was right.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04I wouldn't argue with an expert on that account.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07But I was surprised that he announced the start so early,
0:22:07 > 0:22:10because the first few partygoers are going to be partying
0:22:10 > 0:22:12under trees with very little blossom on them.
0:22:12 > 0:22:13I mean, we were there, weren't we?
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- And it really wasn't like it is here.- No, nothing like this.
0:22:16 > 0:22:17This is absolutely gorgeous.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20This is definitely the time to picnic and party.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23And on that note, Chris, I have bought a bento box.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26I mean, again, beautifully packaged. Look at that.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28Shall we open it up?
0:22:29 > 0:22:31I love these, though.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34This is very different to our cheese and pickle sandwiches
0:22:34 > 0:22:37that we get for our takeaway lunch.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39Look at that.
0:22:39 > 0:22:40They really are like the sort of things
0:22:40 > 0:22:42that my mum would have put together in the 1960s
0:22:42 > 0:22:44in a Tupperware container.
0:22:44 > 0:22:45So this is the equivalent of
0:22:45 > 0:22:48sort of white bread, jam and banana sandwiches.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50Over here is some Angel Delight.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- I'm going to help myself to a little bit of veg.- Have a carrot.
0:22:53 > 0:22:54I am going to try some of this carrot.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56It is interesting, though,
0:22:56 > 0:22:58they do like a lot of colour in their bento boxes.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00And they've certainly fulfilled that with this.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03The other thing is that during the season, of course, they are sakura themed,
0:23:03 > 0:23:06and they sell millions of these things.
0:23:06 > 0:23:07They certainly do.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09What do you reckon that is?
0:23:09 > 0:23:12I think it's curd or nerd or something.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14OK, well, this is definitely fish,
0:23:14 > 0:23:17so I'm going to eat some of that.
0:23:17 > 0:23:22I quite like bean curd. That's very me. I'm a bit of a tofu girl.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25Well, the companies certainly make the most of the sakura season,
0:23:25 > 0:23:27but then again, so does some of the wildlife,
0:23:27 > 0:23:29as I found out a few days ago.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Thank you.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46Now, you may be wondering why I'm sitting in a cafe in Tokyo
0:23:46 > 0:23:49having what looks like a latte and a mini pizza
0:23:49 > 0:23:52when surely I should be trying something more Japanese
0:23:52 > 0:23:54like sushi and sake.
0:23:54 > 0:23:55Well, let me tell you.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59This is very Japanese because there's a very special,
0:23:59 > 0:24:03local, highly sought-after ingredient used in this meal.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06And it is this, honey.
0:24:06 > 0:24:07And yes, you've guessed it,
0:24:07 > 0:24:11at this time of the year, it's made from sakura.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14Made by Tokyo's urban bees,
0:24:14 > 0:24:17sakura honey only has a very short season.
0:24:17 > 0:24:22So each year only a limited amount of this liquid gold is produced,
0:24:22 > 0:24:25which means it's in high demand.
0:24:26 > 0:24:31I've come to the fashionable Ginza district to meet Mr Tanaka,
0:24:31 > 0:24:33the founder of the local honeybee project,
0:24:33 > 0:24:38at one of his rooftop honey farms to see what all the buzz is about.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Wow, this is what you call hives at height.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46Bees and a view of the city. It's fantastic.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49- Mr Tanaka, hello.- Nice to meet you. - And you. And your bees.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53- Can I come in?- Slowly and slowly. - Walk slowly and gently.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55How many hives do you have here?
0:24:55 > 0:24:58Five hives.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01'Whilst the sakura season has only just started,
0:25:01 > 0:25:03'the bees are already busy.'
0:25:03 > 0:25:08This one you can clearly see that it's been out collecting pollen,
0:25:08 > 0:25:10in those pollen sacs on its leg.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13It must be quite difficult for them to fly with all that.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15Yes, for me, two watermelons.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18It's like us having two watermelons on your legs!
0:25:18 > 0:25:20You can see that.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22What species of bee do you have?
0:25:22 > 0:25:24European.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27They are European bees? OK.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29- So these are the workers.- Yes.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32They collect the pollen, they look after the brood.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36- Ah, this is queen bee. - Oh, yes, you can see.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39You can clearly see that that's the queen bee. It's much bigger.
0:25:39 > 0:25:44- There's only one queen in each hive. - Yes.- Laying all of the eggs.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Just a moment.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52- Is that a baby bee?- Baby, yes. - Oh, look at that!
0:25:52 > 0:25:55- Happy birthday. - Happy birthday, Mrs Bee!
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Oh, that's fantastic to see that.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00Shall I hold it? OK.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04I'm not going to upset the queen. I don't want to upset the queen.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07So, why do you not use Japanese bees?
0:26:07 > 0:26:10Western bees are creating honey.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12So they produce more honey?
0:26:12 > 0:26:16- They are better workers?- Yes.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20'Whilst the Japanese honeybees may not be as good at producing honey,
0:26:20 > 0:26:24'they have some other pretty impressive skills,
0:26:24 > 0:26:26'especially when faced with their nemesis,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29'the Japanese giant hornet.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32'It's the largest species of hornet in the world,
0:26:32 > 0:26:38'and this aggressive predator can kill up to 40 honeybees a minute.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41'However, the native bees have developed
0:26:41 > 0:26:45'a successful defence mechanism called bee balling.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48'When a hornet tries to invade the hive,
0:26:48 > 0:26:51'several hundred bees form a ball around it
0:26:51 > 0:26:54'and vibrate their flight muscles to produce heat.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00'As the temperature rises, carbon dioxide levels rise too,
0:27:00 > 0:27:03'basically cooking and suffocating the hornet
0:27:03 > 0:27:06'without harming the bees.'
0:27:06 > 0:27:10'It's rare for the European bees to protect themselves in the same way,
0:27:10 > 0:27:14'so these high-flyers have their own man-made security system -
0:27:14 > 0:27:17'a wire mesh cage letting the small bees in
0:27:17 > 0:27:20'and keeping the large hornets out.'
0:27:22 > 0:27:25How do you know that it's sakura honey?
0:27:25 > 0:27:26- Very easy.- Is it?
0:27:26 > 0:27:30- Open the hive...- Yeah. - ..strong smell.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34- Really?- Yeah.- You can tell from the smell?- Yes.- OK.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37OK.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Oh, just put my finger in?
0:27:39 > 0:27:41Oh, wow, wow, wow. OK.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43Oh, I've got it all over there.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Mmm.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49Oh, that is so good.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51- Good?- That is so good!
0:27:51 > 0:27:56- Really sweet. So that has in it sakura blossom?- Mm.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Mmm, that is really nice,
0:27:59 > 0:28:02- and it smells so floral, as well, doesn't it?- Mm.
0:28:03 > 0:28:09And that sakura fragrance captured in the honey can be smelt everywhere
0:28:09 > 0:28:10at this time of year.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14As it percolates through the streets of this modern metropolis,
0:28:14 > 0:28:18helping to guide the bees to the best cherry blossom hotspots,
0:28:18 > 0:28:22it's a perfume that can guide us, too.
0:28:22 > 0:28:23- Wow, look at this!- Many bees.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25Yes, where are the bees?
0:28:25 > 0:28:28Oh, look here. Here. Here's a bee.
0:28:28 > 0:28:33- Pollen.- Oh, yeah. You can see the pollen on the legs.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35Why do you love the bees so much?
0:28:35 > 0:28:40Because bee connected nature and human.
0:28:40 > 0:28:48And not only nature, connecting human to human.
0:28:48 > 0:28:53- So the bees connect people to nature and people to people?- Yes.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56It's fantastic to have it in the middle of the city.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58- Not only buildings.- Yeah.
0:28:58 > 0:29:00Buildings and bees!
0:29:11 > 0:29:13To the wildlife in Japan,
0:29:13 > 0:29:16one cherry tree is pretty much the same as another,
0:29:16 > 0:29:20but to the Japanese, they have a hands-down favourite.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23The somei yoshino.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30There are hundreds of thousands of this one variety across the country
0:29:30 > 0:29:33making up these eye-catching displays,
0:29:33 > 0:29:36but it's not a natural phenomenon, it's a man-made miracle,
0:29:36 > 0:29:39and it's all to do with the way these trees reproduce.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42Let me explain.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44So here we are. Got to love an anatomical diagram.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48So what happens is you have this little thing called a pollen grain
0:29:48 > 0:29:49that's floating around,
0:29:49 > 0:29:51usually attached to the surface of an insect,
0:29:51 > 0:29:56and it gets deposited right here, the surface of the stigma.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00When that happens, eventually it starts germinating a structure
0:30:00 > 0:30:02called a pollen tube.
0:30:02 > 0:30:07That snakes its way down this long corridor called the style,
0:30:07 > 0:30:09and for fertilisation to happen,
0:30:09 > 0:30:11that actually has to get to the ovary
0:30:11 > 0:30:13and deposit its payload of sperm.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15The problem is, in this variety
0:30:15 > 0:30:19the pollen tube is not quite long enough,
0:30:19 > 0:30:21and so fertilisation never takes place.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25In this variety the male and female parts just don't fit together.
0:30:25 > 0:30:26It's as simple as that.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32So the reason this tree has spread throughout the country
0:30:32 > 0:30:34is because of cloning.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41The method used is called grafting,
0:30:41 > 0:30:45where a carefully selected cutting from one plant
0:30:45 > 0:30:49is grafted onto the surrogate root of another.
0:30:50 > 0:30:55The two form a living bond, continuing to grow as one.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Because there's only one parent tree,
0:31:00 > 0:31:03all of these plants look exactly the same.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05They're, essentially, just one genetic individual -
0:31:05 > 0:31:10a sort of cloned army of physical perfection -
0:31:10 > 0:31:12and that's why, although they can't breed,
0:31:12 > 0:31:1680% of the sakura trees in Japan look identical,
0:31:16 > 0:31:19because they are identical.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22But the Japanese passion for sakura isn't just limited
0:31:22 > 0:31:24to this one modern variety.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27There are dedicated sakura guardians
0:31:27 > 0:31:30that care for cherry trees of all types.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33They travel all over Japan safeguarding treasured specimens
0:31:33 > 0:31:38like the famous 1,000-year-old Takizakura in central Fukushima.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45So, I've come to meet one of the most celebrated sakura guardians...
0:31:45 > 0:31:47HE SPEAKS JAPANESE
0:31:47 > 0:31:49..Mr Sano.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52He's the 16th generation in a gardening dynasty
0:31:52 > 0:31:54that stretches back to samurai times.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56At 89 years old,
0:31:56 > 0:32:00he's the most distinguished sakura guardian in Kyoto,
0:32:00 > 0:32:02possibly the whole of Japan.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06'His lifelong passion is to conserve
0:32:06 > 0:32:09'the country's species of wild cherry.'
0:32:11 > 0:32:14This one's really beautiful, Mr Sano. What's this one called?
0:32:14 > 0:32:17HE SAYS JAPANESE NAME
0:32:17 > 0:32:20JAMES REPEATS NAME
0:32:20 > 0:32:22When you see a tree like this,
0:32:22 > 0:32:25how do you decide whether it's healthy? What do you look for?
0:32:26 > 0:32:29You have a hammer?
0:32:30 > 0:32:32HOLLOW TAPPING
0:32:32 > 0:32:35IN JAPANESE:
0:32:38 > 0:32:42Oh! There's a completely different sound.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45TAPPING
0:32:45 > 0:32:47Wow! It's like a doctor using a stethoscope.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49You're using audible signals
0:32:49 > 0:32:53to detect which parts of the tree are alive and which parts are dead,
0:32:53 > 0:32:55just by tapping and listening to the sound.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04And what are you looking for there?
0:33:10 > 0:33:14So the more nectar it's producing, it's a sign of good health.
0:33:14 > 0:33:15That makes sense.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23'Mr Sano doesn't just care for the trees,
0:33:23 > 0:33:26'his family have been collecting rare cherry varieties
0:33:26 > 0:33:30'and planting them in their cherry orchards for generations.
0:33:30 > 0:33:35'He has 150 types, and thousands of individual trees.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38'It's a botanical ark.'
0:33:38 > 0:33:41The way you talk about cherry trees sometimes,
0:33:41 > 0:33:44it's almost like they have spirits.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05Japanese people love sakura,
0:34:05 > 0:34:07but what is it they love so much about it?
0:34:11 > 0:34:14JAMES LAUGHS
0:34:14 > 0:34:16I guess it's impossible to explain.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18Do you mean that's a difficult question?
0:34:31 > 0:34:34What I love is your answer about why you love sakura.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37People ask me all the time why I love plants,
0:34:37 > 0:34:40and there's no answer - you just love them or you don't.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42You can't explain it.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59We're in Ueno Park in Tokyo,
0:34:59 > 0:35:01and just the other side of that temple is where
0:35:01 > 0:35:04everyone is having their picnics and parties.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07And, you know, that will go on well into the evening
0:35:07 > 0:35:10and apparently it can get really wild after dark.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12Wild after dark, but what about wildlife itself?
0:35:12 > 0:35:14In particular, birds.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17There is one species that has a very close relationship
0:35:17 > 0:35:18with the cherry blossom.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20In fact, in springtime, for a short period,
0:35:20 > 0:35:22it's pretty much dependent upon it.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26I wanted to find these birds, so I went off to Kyoto Botanical Garden
0:35:26 > 0:35:28in search of them.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39Mention Japanese white-eye to anyone here in Japan,
0:35:39 > 0:35:42they'll know exactly what you're talking about -
0:35:42 > 0:35:45the little green bird in the blossom.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47They're a common songbird.
0:35:47 > 0:35:48People find them in their gardens,
0:35:48 > 0:35:52but they are absolutely synonymous with the sakura.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54You'll see them in Japanese paintings,
0:35:54 > 0:35:58hanging acrobatically to one of these branches covered in blossom.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00Well, you'll see them in the paintings,
0:36:00 > 0:36:03but seeing them out here is sometimes a lot more difficult.
0:36:03 > 0:36:07You see, they are quite small and they are very fast-moving,
0:36:07 > 0:36:09so this could take some time.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16Early morning is a good time to look for them
0:36:16 > 0:36:20because overnight the blossoms have refilled with nectar.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24There are so many different species in these gardens.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28Japanese Pygmy woodpeckers...
0:36:30 > 0:36:32..Japanese grosbeak,
0:36:32 > 0:36:35and dusky thrush.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39But still no white-eyes.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41Or are there?
0:36:48 > 0:36:50There are two.
0:36:51 > 0:36:52There are two here.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01They are exquisite little birds.
0:37:05 > 0:37:10They are very nimble and very acrobatic.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15They've got relatively short but very rounded wings
0:37:15 > 0:37:17so they can twist and turn,
0:37:17 > 0:37:23and you see them doing this as they hop through the bush.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25I've seen a lot of white-eyes,
0:37:25 > 0:37:27different species around the world
0:37:27 > 0:37:29but never Japanese white-eye before,
0:37:29 > 0:37:32so this is a tick, a tick for me.
0:37:32 > 0:37:37I tell you what else is in here, though, great tit,
0:37:37 > 0:37:42and there's a couple of brown or chestnut-eared bulbuls.
0:37:43 > 0:37:44It's a very busy tree.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47But this tree at this time of year is a sugar factory,
0:37:47 > 0:37:50and that resource is not going to be wasted by nature.
0:37:50 > 0:37:56So all of these birds have come into this one particularly candy-floss tree
0:37:56 > 0:37:58to have their breakfast.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04There may be lots of birds feasting on the nectar here,
0:38:04 > 0:38:07but few can match the white-eye's efficient design.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11And I'm able to perfectly illustrate that
0:38:11 > 0:38:15using the ancient Japanese art of origami.
0:38:15 > 0:38:19Here we have a white-eye in 400 folds.
0:38:19 > 0:38:24And here is a model of the blossom itself.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28Now, what you can see is that when the bird is foraging for nectar,
0:38:28 > 0:38:32it sticks its beak down here into the flower's nectary
0:38:32 > 0:38:34and it's able to reach it,
0:38:34 > 0:38:36and inside its mouth, it has a tongue
0:38:36 > 0:38:38with a little frilly brush on the end of it
0:38:38 > 0:38:41with which it withdraws the nectar very neatly,
0:38:41 > 0:38:44like this, without damaging the flower.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47From the flower's point of view there's a benefit to this
0:38:47 > 0:38:50because it deposits the pollen on the bird's forehead
0:38:50 > 0:38:52so that when it flies away
0:38:52 > 0:38:57and then comes to the next tree with blossom and it inserts its beak,
0:38:57 > 0:39:00it transfers the pollen, effects fertilisation,
0:39:00 > 0:39:03and both species are happy.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05All explained in paper.
0:39:05 > 0:39:06Fantastic.
0:39:12 > 0:39:18For the Japanese, the arrival of sakura signals the start of hanami.
0:39:19 > 0:39:24Hanami literally translated means looking at flowers,
0:39:24 > 0:39:28and for generations it's also been synonymous
0:39:28 > 0:39:31with picnics under the blooms.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33The sakura season also coincides
0:39:33 > 0:39:36with the start of the financial year,
0:39:36 > 0:39:40a perfect reason for Japan's hard-working businessmen
0:39:40 > 0:39:42to let their hair down and party.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47- Hanami!- ALL:- Hanami!
0:39:47 > 0:39:51And there is no more prestigious addition to any celebration
0:39:51 > 0:39:56than the attendance of Japan's most ancient and enchanting entertainers,
0:39:56 > 0:39:58the geisha.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05But for the majority it's still very much a family affair,
0:40:05 > 0:40:08with most Japanese celebrating with their relatives.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12UPBEAT STRING MUSIC PLAYS
0:40:19 > 0:40:22James has been invited to join some families
0:40:22 > 0:40:24at Kyoto's Daitoku-ji Temple,
0:40:24 > 0:40:28where the festivities are also in full swing.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32- Hello, everyone.- Hello! - Don't start without me.
0:40:32 > 0:40:33Ken, I've got you this.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35I've got to confess, I don't know what it is.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38Oh, that is a sakura dango. This is dango.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40- Oh, so I've got you something you like?- Yeah.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44And I've noticed, is that a sakura petal on the top there?
0:40:44 > 0:40:48Yeah. That is sakura flower and this is sakura leaf.
0:40:48 > 0:40:53I've noticed, Ken, these little adorable characters.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55What are these? Explain that to me.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58That is for my children. It is, kind of, bear...
0:40:58 > 0:41:01- You've it made yourself?- Yes.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03So these are very traditional Japanese foods.
0:41:03 > 0:41:09Sometimes the children don't like that traditional old taste.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12Children like it - pretty shapes.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15It seems like children are the same all over the world.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23Why is hanami important to you?
0:41:23 > 0:41:25Hanami is a New Year event.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28- OK.- So, this is special. Very special.
0:41:28 > 0:41:33We come together with all my family and join to have a picnic.
0:41:33 > 0:41:34That's the most important.
0:41:34 > 0:41:39- So, food is...- Secondary. - Secondary, yeah.
0:41:39 > 0:41:40- You have three generations.- Yeah.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42And you say food is secondary,
0:41:42 > 0:41:45but this is the most perfect picnic I've ever seen,
0:41:45 > 0:41:47so I'm getting jealous. I want to be part of your family.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50THEY LAUGH
0:41:50 > 0:41:53- Kanpai. ALL:- Kanpai.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07Darkness has fallen here in Ueno Park
0:42:07 > 0:42:09and, I have to say, with the blossom fully out,
0:42:09 > 0:42:11the parties are in full swing,
0:42:11 > 0:42:14and some of these people have been drinking sake,
0:42:14 > 0:42:15I think, since about lunchtime.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17It's beginning to get a little bit lairy.
0:42:17 > 0:42:21I must say, it's a very different feel to the one James was enjoying
0:42:21 > 0:42:23which was much more of a family atmosphere.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25This is a lot of young people, a lot of students.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28As you can see, the cherry blossom is illuminated.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30Everyone is trying to get in our shot.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32So, Chris said, the sake is flowing
0:42:32 > 0:42:34and I think it's about time we joined in.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37- I've got a sake in my backpack. - Have you?- Come on, Chris.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39I'm going to meet the people.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42Well, you meet the people, I'm going to find a sober corner
0:42:42 > 0:42:44to hang out with some businessmen, I think.
0:42:44 > 0:42:45Obviously, I'm going to look for somebody
0:42:45 > 0:42:49that speaks a little bit of English cos my Japanese is terrible.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51These guys look nice.
0:42:54 > 0:42:55Can I join?
0:42:55 > 0:42:58THEY CHEER AND SHOUT
0:42:58 > 0:43:00MICHAELA LAUGHS
0:43:01 > 0:43:04Oh, my goodness, I've made friends very quickly.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06- Do you speak English?- Yes!
0:43:06 > 0:43:08OK, look, I have some sake.
0:43:08 > 0:43:11One cup! One cup!
0:43:11 > 0:43:14Very good. Very good.
0:43:14 > 0:43:16Are you all enjoying yourselves?
0:43:18 > 0:43:21Oh, my goodness! Sake.
0:43:21 > 0:43:23- OK, Cheers! - THEY CHEER
0:43:25 > 0:43:27Here's a quieter corner.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30I'm not entirely sure this is business going on over here,
0:43:30 > 0:43:31but at least it's not a riot.
0:43:31 > 0:43:33I'm going to see what they make of this.
0:43:36 > 0:43:37- Good evening.- Hi, good evening.
0:43:37 > 0:43:39- May I interrupt you briefly?- OK.
0:43:39 > 0:43:43- Chris.- Hi. My name is Oka. - Oka?- Yes.
0:43:43 > 0:43:46- May I ask you a couple of questions about your picnic?- Yeah, sure. Yeah.
0:43:46 > 0:43:48Firstly, why picnic under the blossom?
0:43:58 > 0:44:01- A kind of party, you know? - So a good place to party?- Yes.
0:44:01 > 0:44:03Will you come tomorrow night?
0:44:08 > 0:44:10You're working?
0:44:10 > 0:44:13- We can do weekends.- Weekends.
0:44:13 > 0:44:15But it's quite cold.
0:44:15 > 0:44:16Ah, no, drink!
0:44:16 > 0:44:18Oh, you drink and then you get warm.
0:44:18 > 0:44:20- MICHAELA LAUGHS - Drink.
0:44:20 > 0:44:22- Drink more sake and we get warm. - Much more.- Yes.
0:44:22 > 0:44:24That's a good idea. OK.
0:44:26 > 0:44:28Will you be at work on time in the morning?
0:44:28 > 0:44:31- From nine.- From nine?- Yes.
0:44:31 > 0:44:33And all of your friends too?
0:44:33 > 0:44:36- Yes, I guess all my friends have work tomorrow, I guess.- OK.
0:44:36 > 0:44:39And will this be your only picnic, or will you come back for more?
0:44:43 > 0:44:47It's absolutely fantastic, and you know what?
0:44:47 > 0:44:50I think this could be a late night,
0:44:50 > 0:44:52and it won't be Chris's first on this trip.
0:44:52 > 0:44:55Not because he's been out drinking and partying,
0:44:55 > 0:44:58but he's been on a mission to find another night-time reveller
0:44:58 > 0:45:03that also might make the most of these hanami parties.
0:45:09 > 0:45:12I'm on the prowl for a prowler.
0:45:12 > 0:45:15It's got a bandit mask, velvet paws,
0:45:15 > 0:45:17sneaks around in the shadows.
0:45:17 > 0:45:20You might think that I'm talking about a manga character
0:45:20 > 0:45:22or even a burglar,
0:45:22 > 0:45:27but, no, I'm talking about an animal, the Japanese raccoon dog,
0:45:27 > 0:45:29or tanuki, as they call them here.
0:45:29 > 0:45:32And what I'm particularly interested in is what they eat
0:45:32 > 0:45:34in these urban areas,
0:45:34 > 0:45:38and if they take advantage of any of those hanami picnics
0:45:38 > 0:45:41taking place under the blossom.
0:45:41 > 0:45:43But I have got a problem.
0:45:43 > 0:45:46Namely, they're very difficult to find.
0:45:47 > 0:45:51They're said to have magical, shape-shifting powers,
0:45:51 > 0:45:54and bring good fortune to all of those they meet,
0:45:54 > 0:45:57but they are extremely shy.
0:45:57 > 0:46:00So, to see one, we've set up an infrared camera
0:46:00 > 0:46:02in a piece of woodland quite close by,
0:46:02 > 0:46:05and we're tucked away out of sight
0:46:05 > 0:46:07so that, hopefully, we don't scare them.
0:46:07 > 0:46:10That's if they turn up, of course.
0:46:10 > 0:46:14Do you know, I first started waiting to see animals
0:46:14 > 0:46:16when I was five years old.
0:46:17 > 0:46:20I'm now 55 years old, and guess what,
0:46:20 > 0:46:22I'm still waiting to see animals.
0:46:22 > 0:46:26But with a little bit of luck, or a tanuki,
0:46:26 > 0:46:28tonight could be the night.
0:46:31 > 0:46:36Tanuki are a unique subspecies of raccoon dog found only in Japan,
0:46:36 > 0:46:40and at this time of year, they start to become more active.
0:46:42 > 0:46:45Despite their name and their masked appearance,
0:46:45 > 0:46:47they are not a raccoon and they're not a dog.
0:46:47 > 0:46:50But they are a member of the canid family,
0:46:50 > 0:46:54very distantly related to things like wolves, foxes and jackals.
0:46:55 > 0:46:58And just like foxes back at home in the UK
0:46:58 > 0:47:00monopolising the ready food supply,
0:47:00 > 0:47:03they've taken comfortably to life on the street,
0:47:03 > 0:47:06meaning our best chance of spotting one
0:47:06 > 0:47:09is actually in the suburbs of Tokyo.
0:47:11 > 0:47:15Earlier today I met up with Dr Sekei Takatsuki,
0:47:15 > 0:47:17or Taka to his friends,
0:47:17 > 0:47:19and he's been studying the local population here
0:47:19 > 0:47:23to discover how diverse their feeding habits are.
0:47:23 > 0:47:27The thing is, this latrine, Taka, is very close to those houses.
0:47:27 > 0:47:29If you were on this balcony later this evening,
0:47:29 > 0:47:32there is a good chance you might see them.
0:47:32 > 0:47:37Yeah. One day the lady living here told me
0:47:37 > 0:47:40she often find raccoon dog walking around here.
0:47:40 > 0:47:41- Really?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:47:41 > 0:47:44Taka, I see you've got cameras set-up on the tree here,
0:47:44 > 0:47:48- trip cameras.- Yeah.- Do they tell you how many animals are visiting here?
0:47:48 > 0:47:50Are you able to identify them as individuals?
0:47:50 > 0:47:52- At least three.- At least three?
0:47:52 > 0:47:55Because the camera took video,
0:47:55 > 0:48:01and two tanuki came and defecated.
0:48:01 > 0:48:05Then after that, just after that, another one came,
0:48:05 > 0:48:08a different individual.
0:48:08 > 0:48:11So I guess at least three,
0:48:11 > 0:48:14and probably more use this latrine.
0:48:14 > 0:48:16Do we have enough samples, or do you need a couple more?
0:48:16 > 0:48:19- One or two more.- One or two more. - Mm-hm.- OK.
0:48:19 > 0:48:22- Let's go for this.- Maybe enough.
0:48:30 > 0:48:32Some plastic.
0:48:32 > 0:48:34- Plastic?- Mm.
0:48:35 > 0:48:40This is the seed of dogwood.
0:48:40 > 0:48:42- Dogwood?- Yes.
0:48:42 > 0:48:45So we've got a mix here of food that they forage for themselves,
0:48:45 > 0:48:46like the dogwood,
0:48:46 > 0:48:49- and there's more vegetable material in there, as well.- Yeah.
0:48:49 > 0:48:51But it looks to me like they've also been scavenging
0:48:51 > 0:48:55- around human food remains there. - Yes, right. Yeah.
0:48:55 > 0:48:59Taka, given that so many people picnic underneath the cherry trees,
0:48:59 > 0:49:03where they then tie up their bags and they leave it behind,
0:49:03 > 0:49:05do you think that the tanuki might be tempted
0:49:05 > 0:49:09to have a little cherry blossom festival of their own?
0:49:09 > 0:49:10In general, yes.
0:49:10 > 0:49:13But cherries are planted in parks,
0:49:13 > 0:49:17and I don't think raccoon dogs prefer such habitat.
0:49:17 > 0:49:20You see, I've seen raccoon dogs in zoos,
0:49:20 > 0:49:21but I've never seen one in the wild.
0:49:21 > 0:49:24Is there any chance that you might mark some bait
0:49:24 > 0:49:26for me to put out tonight
0:49:26 > 0:49:29- so that I might get a chance of seeing a tanuki?- Yes.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32- Is that possible? - Let's do that, yes.
0:49:32 > 0:49:35- I have sausage, so we can do that. - Excellent.
0:49:37 > 0:49:41I like a strategically placed sausage myself.
0:49:41 > 0:49:46Some are little higher up where we can see that.
0:49:46 > 0:49:49- This means for good luck. - Good luck.- Yes.
0:49:49 > 0:49:51We are going to need it!
0:49:56 > 0:50:00So, as darkness falls, all we can do is wait.
0:50:15 > 0:50:18- Yes! Yes! Yes!- Oh, yeah, yeah.
0:50:20 > 0:50:21Very nice.
0:50:21 > 0:50:23What about that?
0:50:23 > 0:50:25- Bang on cue.- Yeah, yeah.
0:50:25 > 0:50:27Smelling.
0:50:27 > 0:50:29Look at that.
0:50:29 > 0:50:30Wow.
0:50:31 > 0:50:33THEY LAUGH
0:50:33 > 0:50:35What about that?
0:50:38 > 0:50:42If I had all the time I'd spent waiting to see animals,
0:50:42 > 0:50:45I'd spend all the time I had waiting to see animals,
0:50:45 > 0:50:48because when they show up, it's fantastic!
0:50:48 > 0:50:50Yes.
0:50:54 > 0:50:56THEY LAUGH What about that?
0:50:56 > 0:50:58That was great, wasn't it?
0:50:59 > 0:51:02Oh, Chris, I'd love to see those tanuki.
0:51:02 > 0:51:04They looked so cool.
0:51:04 > 0:51:06In fact, do you think if I stay in this park long enough
0:51:06 > 0:51:07until it gets really dark -
0:51:07 > 0:51:09I could go back and party with those guys -
0:51:09 > 0:51:11then I might see one in this park?
0:51:11 > 0:51:13I think if you drink as much sake as they've had,
0:51:13 > 0:51:15you could see anything in this park, to be quite honest with you!
0:51:15 > 0:51:17But unlikely a tanuki.
0:51:17 > 0:51:18Although having said that,
0:51:18 > 0:51:22Taka did tell me that they do occur right in the centre of Tokyo,
0:51:22 > 0:51:24but they like it a little bit quieter,
0:51:24 > 0:51:27somewhere where there's plenty of undergrowth for them to hide.
0:51:27 > 0:51:29Probably far too many people here.
0:51:29 > 0:51:32Although having said that, it has started to quieten down,
0:51:32 > 0:51:35- partly because it's got a little bit chilly, hasn't it?- Very nippy.
0:51:35 > 0:51:38But, you know, I've absolutely loved being part
0:51:38 > 0:51:41of this natural celebration of spring,
0:51:41 > 0:51:44and I love the fact that it's all ages that join in.
0:51:44 > 0:51:47You know, from the families that James was partying with
0:51:47 > 0:51:52to students, to businessmen, to people our age and above,
0:51:52 > 0:51:55all generations enjoy this arrival of spring.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58And I like the degree of effort they put in to making sure
0:51:58 > 0:52:00that they get all of the timing,
0:52:00 > 0:52:02all of the predictions exactly right.
0:52:02 > 0:52:04I mean, it's big business - that comes into it too -
0:52:04 > 0:52:06but you get a real sense of anticipation here.
0:52:06 > 0:52:10Everyone's waiting for this blossom, so they can go out and get happy.
0:52:10 > 0:52:11Very happy, in some cases.
0:52:11 > 0:52:12Do you know what I like, Chris?
0:52:12 > 0:52:17I like the fact that this is a very organised, formal society,
0:52:17 > 0:52:20but the time to party is dictated by nature.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22- It's brilliant. - It is brilliant.
0:52:22 > 0:52:25And we've saved perhaps the most brilliant thing till last,
0:52:25 > 0:52:29because quite a few hours south of here is a very special spot
0:52:29 > 0:52:32where nature and spirituality combine
0:52:32 > 0:52:35to produce the world's greatest blossom spectacle,
0:52:35 > 0:52:38and James has been lucky enough to go and see it.
0:52:42 > 0:52:45Over 300 miles south of Tokyo,
0:52:45 > 0:52:49Mount Yoshino is an extraordinary sight.
0:52:53 > 0:52:56Covered in 30,000 cherry trees,
0:52:56 > 0:53:00it isn't difficult to see why it's known as the pink mountain.
0:53:08 > 0:53:11But the spectacle we see today owes its beauty
0:53:11 > 0:53:13to a very special relationship.
0:53:15 > 0:53:21Mount Yoshino has been a centre of pilgrimage for over 1,000 years,
0:53:21 > 0:53:25and Kinpusen Temple is the main site of worship on the mountain.
0:53:25 > 0:53:29It's arguably the most important temple in Shugendo,
0:53:29 > 0:53:32a Japanese religion of mountain worship.
0:53:38 > 0:53:42A religion that largely blends Buddhism and Shintoism.
0:53:42 > 0:53:46This head temple was founded in the mid-7th century,
0:53:46 > 0:53:49and is listed as a World Heritage Site.
0:53:52 > 0:53:58It's home to these magnificent carvings of Zao Gongen,
0:53:58 > 0:54:00the mountain deity,
0:54:00 > 0:54:04one of the most important figures in the whole of Shegundo,
0:54:04 > 0:54:09representing the past, present, and future of Buddha,
0:54:09 > 0:54:13and it's such a privilege to be here and able to see them,
0:54:13 > 0:54:15because they're only on show to the public
0:54:15 > 0:54:18when the sakura are blossoming.
0:54:18 > 0:54:20Just a couple of weeks, once a year.
0:54:20 > 0:54:23CHANTING AND DRUMMING
0:54:27 > 0:54:30The temple was established by En-no-Gyoja,
0:54:30 > 0:54:34the fabled founder of the Shugendo religion,
0:54:34 > 0:54:38and it's been associated with cherry blossom ever since.
0:54:38 > 0:54:41So I'm meeting one of the most important monks here
0:54:41 > 0:54:43to find out why.
0:54:43 > 0:54:45Goja San, it's such a beautiful temple
0:54:45 > 0:54:47right at the top of the mountain,
0:54:47 > 0:54:49but why build a temple so high up?
0:54:49 > 0:54:51IN JAPANESE:
0:55:02 > 0:55:07This mountain in front of us is just incredible, covered in cherry trees.
0:55:07 > 0:55:08Is there a reason for that?
0:55:42 > 0:55:45People still plant sakura, I'm imagining.
0:55:45 > 0:55:46Have you ever planted sakura?
0:55:57 > 0:55:59What does sakura mean to you?
0:56:46 > 0:56:50The relationship with sakura is so interwoven,
0:56:50 > 0:56:53both spiritually and culturally, with people here,
0:56:53 > 0:56:58that this sacred tree will be planted for generations to come,
0:56:58 > 0:57:01ensuring that Mount Yoshino continues to turn pink
0:57:01 > 0:57:04for another thousand years.
0:57:12 > 0:57:13What a thing.
0:57:13 > 0:57:15What a thing! That was amazing.
0:57:15 > 0:57:17Absolutely stunning.
0:57:17 > 0:57:20Stunning indeed, but you know, Michaela,
0:57:20 > 0:57:21I've been thinking about the Japanese
0:57:21 > 0:57:23and their obsession with this blossom,
0:57:23 > 0:57:26and it's highlighted, for me, a real contrast
0:57:26 > 0:57:27in the country and its culture.
0:57:27 > 0:57:30I mean, some aspects of it I find incredibly confusing,
0:57:30 > 0:57:32desperately frustrating.
0:57:32 > 0:57:34Others are very exciting and alluring.
0:57:34 > 0:57:36I would love to come back
0:57:36 > 0:57:40and witness and enjoy this fantastic spring festival again.
0:57:40 > 0:57:43Chris, have you noticed how the blossom looks down?
0:57:43 > 0:57:46It's almost as if it appreciates and thrives
0:57:46 > 0:57:47on people looking up at it.
0:57:47 > 0:57:49Or do you think I've had too much sake?
0:57:49 > 0:57:52You might have had a little bit too much sake there!
0:57:52 > 0:57:54But what I do love is the fact that the blossom has
0:57:54 > 0:58:00a short, showy, spectacular life that people applaud and celebrate,
0:58:00 > 0:58:02and it's all in glorious pink.
0:58:02 > 0:58:04I mean, what's not to love?