Cherry Blossom: The Greatest Spring On Earth

The spectacular blossoming of cherry trees across Japan is one of the world's most iconic spring events. This one-off special immerses us in this beautiful and intriguing natural event and looks at not only how nature responds, but how the people of Japan embrace the moment in surprising ways, both ancient and modern - making the 'Sakura', or Cherry Blossom Festival, the most important cultural moment in the Japanese calendar.
　　From the wild and beautiful Mount Yoshino to the bustling city streets of Kyoto, the sudden and brief flourish of pink flowers changes everything. Animals, from macaques to deer to bees and the curious Raccoon Dog and White Eye, arrive for a wild feast.
　　Meanwhile, Japan's people embrace the blossom. Some perform ancient dances and other artistic rituals; huge crowds gather for special picnics under the trees and join beautiful lantern-lit night vigils; Japan's entrepreneurs respond accordingly to suit the occasion, with everything from blossom-forecasts to blossom-themed bento boxes and sweets - even McDonald's turn their hamburgers pink for the event!
　　We take the viewers behind the scenes to reveal the extraordinary effort that goes into making this iconic event tick, as Japan is gripped by Sakura-mania.