Talk:Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots

Umm... this seems pretty arbitrary. Is there a generally-agreed Top 3 for Japan's Top 3, and would that be enough? (WT-en) Jpatokal 00:23, 24 April 2009 (EDT)
 * Well, with Japan, I`m sure there one could find some top three list somewhere, but I've never seen one, and I definitely don't think there would be a generally agreed upon list... Japan has a lot of top 100 lists, too, actually. Since cherry blossom viewing is one of the most popular things to do in Japan, I thought guides specifically about it could be helpful. I have a lot of cherry blossom guides for Kyoto (and surrounding areas), so I considered making a page just for that, but because this lists places all over the country, I thought it could be useful for more people.

I had wondered if it was more of a Wikipedia-type article, but in the end, these sort of lists are travel topics. I feel like this is the sort of thing that would be welcome by Wikivoyage once the site has established a more substantial archive of worthwhile travel guides, but I had the same thoughts you do, so I`m not so attached to this article. If you want to nominate it for deletion, I wouldn`t be offended. (I was honestly wanting to get input prior to starting the article, but I wasn't sure exactly how to go about that, since discussion pages can only be used for already existing articles) (WT-en) ChubbyWimbus 01:15, 24 April 2009 (EDT)


 * (If by "arbitrary" you are suggesting that this list is my own personal list, it is not. It's the "official" top 100, just like the "official" Top 3 lists.) (WT-en) ChubbyWimbus 05:55, 24 April 2009 (EDT)


 * Do you have a link to the "official" list? The problem I have with this is that while a "Top 3" is nice, manageable and generally pretty much agreed on, Top 100 is way too much to be digestible (what are you going to do, visit them all?).


 * Incidentally, ja-WP doesn't seem to have any "top 3 sakura" lists, aside from the rather less interesting "top 3 old sakura trees" and "top 3 night sakura" lists. (WT-en) Jpatokal 09:11, 24 April 2009 (EDT)


 * I'd suggest giving the list some shape &mdash; break it down to regions, and then within each region, select a few stand-outs for detailed write-ups, with the rest listed below. (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 01:01, 25 April 2009 (EDT)


 * I certainly wouldn't expect someone to use this kind of list to see them all, but since every region/prefecture is represented, it could be used to find a good spot nearby, no matter where you are. Naturally, those who are around somewhere like Kyoto have enough options, but someone further away from the stereotypical destinations may find it more useful. There are other top 100s, such as biking trails, sounds, castles, etc. The lists appear to always be released first as books.(If you're worried that I'll try to translate all of them, don't worry. I wasn't planning on that!

The 100 list was designated by the Japan Cherry Blossom Association in 1990 and they wrote a book (I see their translation is "100 Famous Cherry Blossom Viewpoints". This isn't the site I used, but it's the official site, and they are listed there, along with other spots:

It's more of a Japan travel topic than an actual itinerary, for the reason you stated (even if someone wanted to see them all, with the short span they are in bloom for, I don't think it would be possible to do in the same year). I am glad to get some feedback, though. Look over the site and if it still seems useless, tell me. If it doesn't seem useful, I don't want to continue posting the list. (WT-en) ChubbyWimbus 08:40, 25 April 2009 (EDT)


 * I think it needs commentary to make it worthwhile &mdash; select a few stand-outs (ideally with photos). You might also give some indication as to when the sakura blossom there (early, mid, late in the season). (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 09:14, 27 April 2009 (EDT)


 * Just wanted to echo Gorilla's idea of splitting it up by regions &mdash; I think there's potential here after all. (WT-en) Jpatokal 12:22, 27 April 2009 (EDT)


 * In my opinion at least, this is a pretty neat resource, given it's translation from a primary source, and arguably related to Japan's most famous "See" attraction. Sorta wish I stumbled on it sooner: sooooo... is there any need for it to be tucked away like a sad and lonely orphan? Or should this perhaps be linked in on the top-level country page and Yoshino? Not going to do this myself, given it seems a definitive conclusion wasn't reached above and I wasn't around for the discussion, but it could be nice.(WT-en) Snave 07:22, 6 March 2011 (EST)


 * I had kind of kept it hidden for a while because I hadn't translated it completely, but I suppose now it should be linked. I added a link under "Do" in the Japan article but the attractions listed could also link from their respective articles. (WT-en) ChubbyWimbus 13:39, 7 March 2011 (EST)

Improvements
I am wondering how others view the article as it is structured currently and how you think it could be improved. -What could be added? For example: some websites also add night light-up info. Include the site's name in Japanese as written on the official list? The kind of cherry blossoms (most are yoshino sakura but there are other varieties)?

I do think a general temperature/blooming chart could be useful in the Understand section to give a general idea before looking at the specific sites in each region.

I need to get descrptions for a site in each region (like Tohoku, Kansai, and Chugoku have currently) but there aren't pictures of the outstanding places I've chosen on Commons.

Is there anything you think would be useful to add to this that I've left out? Or any other ways to improve the article? ChubbyWimbus (talk) 17:02, 1 March 2013 (UTC)


 * What is the significance of the mauve background and larger size text chosen for Tohoku, Kansai and Chugoku, please?
 * Why do 71., Nara Park, and 81., Kakuzan Park occur twice, please? -- A l i c e ✉ 07:36, 4 March 2013 (UTC)


 * From the discussion above, some people suggested highlighting the best/some unique spots of each region to give more information about. Those are the only three regions I've done it for so far (I've chosen some standouts from the other regions, but there are no images of them currently available). Do you think it should be mentioned what they are/why there are featured spots at the beginning of each region or do you have a better idea on how to present them? Or do you dislike them completely?


 * Thanks for commenting! Aside from finishing the features, I'm just a little stuck on how to level up this guide. ChubbyWimbus (talk) 15:20, 4 March 2013 (UTC)


 * I think they should not appear twice and the colour and text size should be toned down a little. I'll try and find the time to do that, so just revert me if you don't like it. -- A l i c e ✉ 20:46, 4 March 2013 (UTC)
 * Do you think it would not look like a double-listing if instead of the number, it said something like, "Featured Spot:", "Regional Highlight:", "(something else with a similar meaning)"? ChubbyWimbus (talk) 07:10, 5 March 2013 (UTC)
 * I think the distinctive colour background, larger font, and left located image are all enough together to distinguish the current three listings as something special. What do you think of the changes, I've recently made? The thumbnail format allows readers to just click to enlarge each image. -- A l i c <font color="#00EEFF">e <font color="#FF3333">✉ 07:49, 5 March 2013 (UTC)


 * My only concern about having the feature appear within the list (where its number is located) is that to me it looks like we intend to make all of them like that but we just haven't gotten around to it while having the feature at the top of each region looks more like a special feature that is not going to transfer to every entry. ChubbyWimbus (talk) 12:14, 5 March 2013 (UTC)
 * Yes, that is a valid concern. What solution do you propose?
 * PS: What do I call you? Chubby, Wimbus, ChubbyWimbus, or something else entirely (preferably shorter to type)? -- <font color="#0000DD">A <font color="#0066FF">l <font color="#0099FF">i <font color="#00CCFF">c <font color="#00EEFF">e <font color="#FF3333">✉ 21:16, 5 March 2013 (UTC)


 * That's why I thought that if we keep the features at the top and write something like 'Regional Highlight' it might make our intent clearer as to why we've singled out one spot.
 * I suppose I prefer ChubbyWimbus as it is, although I've seen my name shortened to CW a few times by other users. It doesn't bother me. All except just 'Chubby' I suppose, which doesn't sound good by itself. ChubbyWimbus (talk) 04:31, 6 March 2013 (UTC)


 * Are the numbers and numeric order important? -- <font color="#0000DD">A <font color="#0066FF">l <font color="#0099FF">i <font color="#00CCFF">c <font color="#00EEFF">e <font color="#FF3333">✉ 06:27, 6 March 2013 (UTC)


 * The numbers have meaning but not in terms of rank. The numbers indicate the location of the spot in Japan from north to south. They also separate sites by region and prefecture, so that the number listings of all sites within the same prefecture are listed consecutively. The numbers also appear on the official list which kind of makes them set as well. ChubbyWimbus (talk) 06:07, 9 March 2013 (UTC)
 * So is it important that we keep in synch with this official list? Or is this list intended to improve on and be a better replacement for that official list? -- <font color="#0000DD">A <font color="#0066FF">l <font color="#0099FF">i <font color="#00CCFF">c <font color="#00EEFF">e <font color="#FF3333">✉ 07:28, 9 March 2013 (UTC)


 * This article is only meant to show the list as it was created by the Cherry Blossom Association with whatever additional information we deem useful to provide about each place. It's not meant for anyone to add their favorite non-listed spots and certainly not to create our own list (there was strong objection to that in the original section above when other users misunderstood the article and thought these were all my own personal favorites). When I originally translated the article, this list could not be found as far as a Google search could find. Now there are others, many of which were copied from here. ChubbyWimbus (talk) 09:56, 9 March 2013 (UTC)

I've changed them to show what I was thinking. Now they say "Regional Highlight". I got rid of the number on the highlight because it looked awkward. I also got rid of the extra info to avoid double-listing but I'm not against it if you think it looks better that way. ChubbyWimbus (talk) 12:46, 22 March 2013 (UTC)

Regional Highlights
Just in case anyone has pictures or wants to discuss what the highlights should be, I will list the places that I'd like to feature in each region. If you have pictures of them with cherry blossoms or would like to go to the spot and get the shot the next time they bloom, please do! ChubbyWimbus (talk) 12:47, 1 July 2015 (UTC)
 * Hokkaido: Sakura Namiki Street, It's popular for drivers who seek cherry blossoms, and although the other site is more famous, Tohoku and Chugoku are already castle sites and I want to showcase a variety of experiences.
 * Tohoku: Hirosaki Castle (already featured), It's one of the designated top three cherry blossom festivals and is unofficially one of the best period according all of the rave reviews it consistently receives.
 * Kanto: Akaginanmen Cherry Blossoms, they're iconic for cherry blossoms in the trees combined with the purple shibazakura on the ground.
 * Chubu: Shinsakai Riverside, This is a nice spot with the added intrigue of having two train lines run through the blossoming area. It's really popular as a place to take photos of the blossoms with the trains. I also considered Usuzumi Park to feature the single tree which is a popular aspect of cherry blossom-viewing among Japanese.
 * Kansai: Nara Park (already featured), It has a unique, natural feel while still being among other sites and the deer make it special for a lot of people.
 * Chugoku: Kakuzan Park (already featured), often declared the best in the region, the varied levels created by the castle ruins makes for many great views of the blossoms
 * Shikoku: Kagamino Park, One of Japan's famous "sakura tunnels" where the cherry blossoms align both sides of the path and meet at the top, these tunnels are a sought-after viewing experience.
 * Kyushu and Okinawa: I was thinking either Ichifusa Dam or the Minamata Cherry Line

Why Does This Article Use Title Case
Well, excuse the deliberate irony of the section header, but shouldn't this be moved to Japan's top 100 cherry blossom spots per our capitalization guidelines? -- SHB2000  (talk &#124; contribs &#124; meta) 04:00, 25 April 2023 (UTC)
 * It's an official title/list name rather than an original WV title, so it may fall under "Proper names". Narrow Road to the Deep North is also an official title and is capitalized. ChubbyWimbus (talk) 14:51, 25 April 2023 (UTC)

Improvements
User talk:Hnishy63, I added the Japanese names to the article, but I was wondering if you think there are other things to add. There are not many contributors who know Japan or these lists, but if you have ideas, I'm interested in ways to improve this article. If not, that's okay, too. ChubbyWimbus (talk) 13:42, 29 January 2024 (UTC)