Once again, Japan’s earliest blooms draw in locals and tourists to northern parts of the island. Starting Jan. 18, the annual Motobu Yaedake Cherry Blossom Festival dazzles visitors with beautiful petals and vistas of the famous trees. Cherry bloom season is expected to continue through mid-February so don’t miss out on catching the country’s first bloom as the wave of blossoms moves north toward the mainland. Visit Stars and Stripes Okinawa for more information on where to view the blossoms here: https://okinawa.stripes.com/travel/cherry-blossoms-bloom-northern-okinawa