Watching nature die or blossom can be so beautiful. It’s a once in a lifetime experience, but is it worth basing your travel plans around it?
I was fortunate enough to see spring and autumn in Korea lasy year.
When I booked my flight to Korea for spring, it was just a lucky fluke that I caught the cherry blossoms in bloom. It was completely unexpected and a happy accident.
The day I arrived in Busan the cherry blossoms were just a day or two past their peak, it was incredible! It really did feel magical.
Two days later (after some heavy wind) the blossoms were gone and the branches took on a wintery look. The seasons changed before my eyes, in a matter of days. I then went to Jeju and had completely missed the cherry blossoms there.
Fast forward to later in the year, I went to South Korea (again. In October this time, to catch the fall foliage.
When I arrived into Seoul, the leaves I saw on my way from the airport were disappointingly green. However, they changed colour very quickly to the autumn colours that you see on Instagram. Seven days later, on the way back to airport, the leaves were dry and crispy and the peak foliage had came and went in the blink of an eye. Or seven days to be more accurate.
I also took a trip to Seoraksan National Park, which had passed its peak a few days earlier. The leaves were taking on a dry crunchy brown colour and were less vibrant than I had hoped. Not going to lie, I was a bit disappointed. It looked nothing like I had seen on Instagram. That happened just a couple of days earlier.
Instagram vs Reality
When you catch the peak foliage, it can be magical and makes everything look more beautiful than normal, but you can also just miss the peak bloom by a day and be really disappointed.
It’s absolutely worth planning a trip to see the cherry blossom or fall foliage, but just be prepared that you might get a bit disappointed by missing it by a day or two.
The Crowds
It’s also worth noting, that everything will be more crowded during these times. The peak only lasts a few days, so everybody wants to go to the same places at the same time.
If you set your expectations right, you will enjoy your spring or fall foliage trips. Just don’t expect everything to look like it does on Instagram. The peak passes through different parts of the country on different dates. It’s all down to good planning and some luck.
The Cost
I can’t mention traveling during peak foliage season without mentioning the increased cost.
I was planning a trip to Japan for this April to experience the Sakura in full bloom, but when I looked at the cost of flights and accommodation it felt extremely overpriced.
I’m not a fan of the standard of accommodation in Japan at the best of times. Sleeping on the floor is not my vibe. Im peak season, sleeping on the floor becomes reality expensive.
If seeing Japan in full bloom is a bucket list item for you, then you might find the expense and backache worth it.
After a cheaper experience in Korea the previous year (where I got a bed for a fraction of the cost), I decided against Japan this year.
It really depends on your priorities and how you value things.
Keep in mind that you might spend all this money and miss the peak bloom by a day, and if you do catch it, you’ll be sharing it with thousands of others.
Was Korea worth it? Yes!
Was Japan worth it? The costs prevented me from booking.
It worked out cheaper to fly from Hong Kong to Switzerland than it did to fly from Hong Kong to Japan. I will also get a real bed in Switzerland (not a Japanese tatami).
If really boils down to your personal preference, tolerance for peak season prices and crowds.
Have you visited Japan during the Sakura full bloom? How was your experience? Was it with it? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.
You might also be interested in visiting Jeju, Nami Island or where to find cherry blossoms in Busan.
