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Sakura Beyond the Crowds: Lesser-known Cities Shine in Cherry Blossom Season 2025

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Lesser-known Japanese cities bloom as sakura spotters seek out less crowdsChina and Korea are gaining interest as alternative cherry blossom destinationsTranquil ryokans emerge as favoured accommodation for a quieter sakura experience

SINGAPORE, Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As cherry blossoms begin to bloom as March approaches, travellers seeking a less-crowded sakura spotting experience are flocking to lesser-known cities in Japan to get their flower fix. While the Japanese cherry blossom season remains a top draw, this year, bookings for off-the-beaten-path and alternative locations beyond Japan are seeing significant growth, reflecting the rising demand for more peaceful and unique experiences in the heart of spring.

Japan’s Lesser-Known Sakura Spots Are Seeing a Surge in Demand

The “big three” cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto continue to be favourites, with Trip.com Group revealing triple-digit booking growth year-on-year during the sakura season. Of popular cities, Sendai, Kanazawa and Aomori also reflected the most year-on-year growth during the season.

Here’s a list of when cherry blossoms will bloom in chronological order, according to the Japan Meteorological Corporation’s forecast:

Interestingly, more travellers are seeking out lesser-known destinations for a quieter cherry blossom experience.

Toyohashi has seen a staggering 2300% YoY growth, drawing visitors to attractions like Mukaiyama Greenery Park’s Plum Tree Orchard and Yoshida Castle in Toyohashi Park. Coastal Itoshima (1500% YoY) is emerging as a hidden gem, home to scenic sakura spots such as Kafuri Park, which boasts 500 cherry trees and panoramic views of Funakoshi Bay and Mt. Kaya. Meanwhile, Yakushima (900% YoY) offers a truly special experience—cherry blossom viewing within a UNESCO-listed ancient forest.

Top Cities Searched for Sakura Season & Key Visitor Trends

Search patterns highlight the diverse range of traveller preferences for Japan’s iconic “hanami” (flower viewing parties). Major urban hubs like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Yokohama dominate searches for “cherry blossom” and “sakura” related searches, indicating travellers are still keen on popular city itineraries with cherry blossom spotting as one of the highlights. Meanwhile, lesser-known locations such as Ureshino, Kagoshima, and Yuzawa have also made it to the top ten list.

Searches in different languages indicate varied traveller origins; for example, English and Mandarin speakers drive Tokyo’s demand, while Korean interest is strong for Nago.

Overall, travel flows to Japan during sakura season (besides domestic flows) hail from the Asia Pacific region, with Hong Kong SAR, Korea, Taiwan region, Thailand and Singapore being the top source markets in terms of booking volume. Outside of Asia, travellers from the US (138.70% YoY growth), UK (137.11%) and Australia (156.54%) are also fast growing. Millennials comprise the bulk of travellers, comprising almost half of the booking volume.

Emerging International Cherry Blossom Destinations

While Japan remains a cherry blossom travel hub, more international travellers are seeking alternative locations to experience the floral spectacle. Across Southeast Asia and China, hidden gems are emerging with breathtaking displays that rival Japan’s parks. Cherry blossoms in Korea are also fast gaining attention.

Some top alternative Cherry Blossom destinations for 2025 include:

Alishan, Taiwan region – A stunning mountain landscape where cherry blossoms bloom in the early spring.Wuhan & Beijing, Mainland China – Famous cherry blossom parks like East Lake (Wuhan) and Yuyuantan Park (Beijing) are emerging as must-visit locations.Jinhae, South Korea – The site of the famous Cherry Blossom Festival, where blossoms blanket the entire city.

Among the most-searched destinations outside Japan are Wuxi and Wuhan in Mainland China, Seoul and Gyeongju in South Korea, as well as Nantou and Chiayi in Taiwan region. In South Korea, Gyeongju has seen a remarkable 211.48% surge in bookings this season, while Taiwan region’s Alishan Scenic Area in Chiayi County has experienced a 171.01% year-on-year increase, drawing visitors to its mountain blooms from mid-March to mid-April.

Similarly, bookings to Wuhan, Mainland China, have risen by 155.87%, with travellers flocking to East Lake and Wuhan University for their stunning cherry blossoms. Notably, ‘Wuhan cherry blossoms’ ranks among the top five search queries from international visitors, highlighting its growing appeal with more than 100 spots for cherry blossom viewing.

The Wellness and Alternative Accommodation Trend During Sakura Season

As the demand for off-the-beaten-path experiences grows, so does the rise in alternative accommodations and wellness tourism. Bookings for onsen ryokan and boutique hotels in lesser-known cherry blossom locations have surged, as visitors opt for serene, culturally immersive stays that offer breathtaking views away from the crowds.

In particular, scenic regions such as Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Takayama, and Shirakawa-go are seeing this rise in demand.

Luxury and boutique accommodations with private onsens, seasonal kaiseki cuisine, and mountainous scenery are particularly popular this year. Traditional stays like Mt. Fuji View Onsen Ooike Hotel, hot spring hotel Setsugetsuka in Hakone near the blossom-filled Hakone Gora Park, and traditional inn Onyado Yuinosho in Shirakawa-go are attracting visitors looking for an authentic Japanese experience paired with springtime beauty.

As for popular cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, accommodation preferences lean close to parks and rivers. According to Trip.Best* data, one of the most booked hotels is the luxurious The Tokyo Edition, Ginza, close to Hibiya Park, a peaceful cherry blossom spot. Similarly, Bvlgari Hotel Tokyo is close to Chidori-ga-fuchi, a picturesque 700-meter promenade along the Imperial Palace moat, famous for cherry blossoms.

In Kyoto, Trip.Best’s top-ranked Kamo Residences by Reflections is located near the Kamogawa River, offering stunning riverside views. Another top option is Dusit Thani Kyoto located near both Maruyama Park and the Philosopher’s Path—two of Kyoto’s prettiest sakura spots.

*Trip.Best is an AI-curated travel list on Trip.com that helps global travellers find the best experiences, including flights, hotels, attractions, restaurants, nightlife, and shows. It highlights the top 1% of products based on an algorithm that analyses user reviews and other data.

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SOURCE Trip.com Group

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Lumeris Partners With Schmitt-Thompson Clinical Content to Advance Tom™ Symptom-Checking Capability with Evidence-Based Telehealth Triage Guidance

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Partnership strengthens AI-powered symptom checking with trusted clinical content to support more consistent patient guidance and care navigation

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., and CHANDLER, Ariz., July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lumeris, a leader in healthcare technology and services, and Schmitt-Thompson Clinical Content (STCC), the leading provider of telehealth triage guidelines and medical call center decision support information in North America, today announced a partnership to integrate STCC’s evidence-based clinical triage content into the symptom-checking capability within Tom™, Lumeris’ AI-powered Primary Care as a Service platform.

The partnership represents the next evolution of Tom’s ability to help care teams extend access, improve patient engagement and deliver more proactive support for individuals with complex health needs. By incorporating STCC’s clinical guidance, Tom’s symptom-checking capability provides healthcare organizations with a stronger clinical foundation for helping patients navigate symptoms between primary care visits while supporting more timely, informed interventions.

Patients with chronic conditions and other complex health needs frequently experience new symptoms, medication concerns or health-related questions between scheduled in-person primary care appointments. Without timely guidance from providers, they may delay care or seek treatment in higher-acuity settings that may not be necessary. Tom’s symptom-checking capability provides an accessible first point of contact, enabling patients and caregivers to report symptoms, ask health-related questions and receive support through natural, conversational interactions while helping care teams identify individuals who may require additional clinical attention.

The integration of STCC’s clinical content strengthens the guidance behind Tom’s symptom-checking experience, helping healthcare organizations deliver more standardized, evidence-based responses to symptom-based questions. By combining conversational patient engagement with trusted clinical decision support, organizations can improve consistency across care settings while helping care teams efficiently assess patient needs and determine appropriate next steps.

“One of the biggest challenges in caring for high-risk populations is making sure patients have access to the right support at the right time,” said Dr. David Carmouche, chief medical and commercial officer, Lumeris. “This partnership strengthens Tom’s role as an active member of the care team by combining conversational patient engagement with trusted clinical guidance. Together, we’re helping organizations deliver more consistent symptom assessment, streamline clinical workflows and support safer, more timely interventions.”

Following each symptom-checking interaction, Tom generates a structured summary along with recommended prioritization guidance to help care teams quickly assess patient needs and determine the most appropriate next actions. The capability complements clinical workflows rather than replaces them, allowing organizations to extend support beyond traditional care settings while maintaining appropriate clinical oversight.

The partnership further advances Lumeris’ vision for Tom as an intelligent extension of the primary care team, combining AI-powered patient engagement, evidence-based clinical guidance and care team workflows to help healthcare organizations improve access, enhance patient experiences and deliver more proactive, coordinated care.

“We’re excited to partner with Lumeris to bring our gold-standard clinical triage guidance to the Tom platform,” said Patty Maynard, chief operating officer, STCC. “Together, we’re enabling healthcare organizations to deliver symptom-checking experiences that combine conversational technology with evidence-based clinical decision support, helping patients receive more consistent guidance while supporting care teams with trusted recommendations they can confidently act on.”

About Lumeris
Lumeris is a leader in healthcare technology and services advancing the future of primary care through Tom, its AI-powered Primary Care as a Service platform designed to function as a proactive member of the care team embedded directly in clinical workflows. Tom autonomously supports best next actions that help providers expand capacity, improve patient access, and reduce administrative burden while enabling more personalized, scalable care delivery. Built on more than two decades of primary care and value-based care experience, Tom reflects Lumeris’ deep experience supporting health systems and physician organizations nationwide and operating Essence Healthcare, its leading Medicare Advantage plan. Founded in 2010, Lumeris is headquartered in St. Louis and Cambridge, Massachusetts. The company employs more than 1,200 engineers, clinicians, and healthcare specialists. Learn more at Lumeris.com.

About Schmitt-Thompson Clinical Content
Schmitt-Thompson Clinical Content (STCC) is the leading source of telehealth triage guidelines and medical call center decision support information in North America. STCC provides the most comprehensive triage and advice content, spanning the continuum of delivery: After Hours, used by hospitals, health systems and insurance companies and Office Hours, used in practices and clinics. Schmitt-Thompson Clinical Content is the ‘gold standard’ in telephone triage, offering evidence-based, efficient and time-tested decision support. It is used by more than 400 health systems and health plans and an additional 10,000 physician practices. Learn more: http://www.stcc-triage.com.

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SOURCE Lumeris

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NorthRock Partners Expands Minneapolis Presence with Addition of Kowalski Financial, Strengthening National Growth Strategy

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The partnership expands NorthRock’s Personal Office® model in its hometown of Minneapolis while bringing additional expertise and resources to Kowalski Financial’s clients.

MINNEAPOLIS, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NorthRock Partners (NorthRock), a financial advice firm redefining the wealth management experience through its Personal Office® model, announced today that Kowalski Financial (Kowalski) has joined NorthRock. The partnership brings over $200 million in assets under management (AUM) and five team members, strengthening NorthRock’s growing presence in Minneapolis, MN.

Headquartered in Minneapolis, NorthRock has grown into a national advisory firm by expanding what a single client relationship can include. Its Personal Office® model builds a dedicated, customized team around each client to coordinate investments, tax, estate planning, insurance, legal, business services, and philanthropy in one place, staying alongside clients as their lives change. Each firm that joins NorthRock adds depth to that team and extends the model to more families.

Kowalski Financial brings an experienced team, a strong commitment to client relationships, and a shared belief in delivering personalized, long-term financial advice. Through this partnership, Kowalski advisors will gain access to the full depth of NorthRock’s Personal Office® specialists, expanding the advice and resources available to their clients.

“From the first conversations with Marc and the Kowalski team, it was clear they care deeply about their clients and about doing things the right way,” said Cam Rosenow, Head of Growth at NorthRock Partners. “That matters to us. This partnership is a strong fit because it brings together a team with real client relationships, a shared advice-first mindset, and the ability to plug into the depth of NorthRock’s Personal Office® model. We’re excited to welcome them into our Minneapolis office and build together from here.”

Founded in 2019, Kowalski Financial provided multidisciplinary financial planning services, including estate planning and tax services. The firm adds a talented group of advisors and professionals who share NorthRock’s commitment to helping clients navigate both financial decisions and life transitions.

“Joining NorthRock represents an exciting opportunity for our team and the clients we serve,” said Marc Kowalski, CEO at Kowalski Financial. “We have always believed that great advice starts with understanding the full picture of a client’s goals, values, and priorities. NorthRock’s Personal Office® model provides an expanded platform of expertise and resources that will allow us to continue delivering the personalized guidance our clients expect while enhancing the services available to them.”

The addition of Kowalski Financial reinforces the continued momentum behind NorthRock’s growth strategy and Personal Office® model. As advisors and families seek more coordinated approaches to wealth management, NorthRock continues to partner with firms that share its commitment to delivering customized, comprehensive advice. Furthermore, the Kowalski team will relocate to NorthRock Partners’ offices in downtown Minneapolis.

About NorthRock Partners
NorthRock Partners is a financial advice company serving more than 6,000 clients and managing over $12 billion in assets. For more than 30 years, NorthRock has placed clients’ financial and life needs at the center through its Personal Office® model. This integrated approach builds a dedicated, customized team around each advisor and enables them to coordinate all aspects of a client’s life, including investments, tax, insurance, estate, legal, business strategies, lifestyle, and philanthropy. NorthRock is recognized as one of Barron’s Top 100 RIAs in the United States. The firm also offers specialized divisions that include NorthRock X for athletes and entertainers and Foundation X for philanthropic advice and services. Learn more at www.northrockpartners.com.

Disclosures:
All investment advisory and Personal Office® services are provided by and through NorthRock Partners LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

NorthRock Partners was recognized in Barron’s Top 100 RIAs in September 2025. The ranking was determined by Barron’s using criteria including AUM growth, employee growth, proprietary data and the number of advisors considered for evaluation. NorthRock Partners did not pay a fee to be considered for or included in the ranking. Additional information regarding the ranking methodology is available from Barron’s.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/northrock-partners-expands-minneapolis-presence-with-addition-of-kowalski-financial-strengthening-national-growth-strategy-302830371.html

SOURCE NorthRock Partners

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Compass, Inc. to Announce Second Quarter Results on August 4

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NEW YORK, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Compass, Inc., d/b/a Compass International Holdings (the “Company”) (NYSE: COMP), a global real estate services company, announced its second quarter 2026 financial results will be released after market close on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. The Company will host a conference call and webcast to discuss its results that afternoon at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT.

Call details are as follows:

The conference call and shareholder presentation will be accessible online via the Company’s Investor Relations website, https://investors.compass.com.You can also register in advance to access the live conference call at: Compass Inc. Q2 26 Earnings Conference Call.An audio recording of the conference call will be available for replay shortly after the call, for 90 days. To access the replay and shareholder presentation, visit the Events and Presentations section of the Company’s Investor Relations website.

About Compass, Inc., d/b/a Compass International Holdings

Compass, Inc., d/b/a Compass International Holdings (the “Company”) (NYSE: COMP) is a global real estate services company with a presence in every major U.S. city and approximately 120 countries and territories. Compass International Holdings serves millions of buyers and sellers through a portfolio of some of the most recognized and iconic brands: @properties, Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, CENTURY 21®, Christie’s International Real Estate, Coldwell Banker®, Compass, Corcoran®, ERA®, and Sotheby’s International Realty®. Every day, the Company empowers a global network of more than 300,000 real estate professionals in its owned-brokerage and franchise business to grow and deliver exceptional service to consumers.

The Company empowers real estate professionals to streamline operations and seamlessly guide clients through every phase of residential and commercial transactions, leveraging powerful tools, including its modern technology platform. In addition to brokerage services, Compass International Holdings offers integrated services, such as mortgage, title, insurance, escrow, and relocation.

The Company uses its Investor Relations website, https://investors.compass.com, to disclose information that may be of interest or material to its investors and to comply with disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Company’s Investor Relations website and follow the Company’s press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, webcasts, and social media.

Investor Relations Contact
Soham Bhonsle
soham.bhonsle@compass.com

Media Contact
Devin Daly Huerta
Devin.daly@compass.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/compass-inc-to-announce-second-quarter-results-on-august-4-302830274.html

SOURCE Compass, Inc.

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