If you’re looking for a beautiful springtime destination, look no further than your nearest cherry blossom tree. The delicate pink and white blooms are a sight to behold, and they only last for a few short weeks each year. Here is are the list of the best spots to see cherry blossoms in bloom!
Japan
Japan is probably the most well-known spot for cherry blossom viewing. The country even has a national holiday dedicated to celebrating the annual event. If you’re planning a trip, try to time it with The Hanami Festival which takes place from late March to early April. Some of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Japan include Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. is also a great place to catch a glimpse of the pink flowers. The National Cherry Blossom Festival takes place from March 20th to April 12th and celebrates the 1912 gift of cherry blossom trees from Japan. During the festival, you can enjoy tons of family-friendly activities like parades, concerts, and food festivals.
South Korea
If you’re looking for a more unique cherry blossom experience, head to South Korea. The Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival is held every year from April first to the tenth and features a parade, traditional games, and fireworks. You can also check out the Petite France Theme Park which is decorated with hundreds of cherry blossom trees.
Vancouver
The start of the wet season is a welcome sight for everyone in Vancouver, with Cherry blossoms acting as a particularly encouraging sign that it’s time to dry off and head outdoors. They’re celebrated for the better part of the month, with this year’s Vancouver Cherry Festival running through April 28. If you’re in town on May 20th, get on two wheels for Bike the Blossoms; if you’re there for the end of the festival, don’t miss out on the Big Sing (a huge choral fest) on May 27. There’s even an epilogue on May 5th: top Vancouver chefs offer food that celebrates cherry blossom season.
New York City
Sprinklings of pink and white fairy dust can be found all over New York City from Union Square Park to Central Park to Randalls Island Park. However, the real spectacle is at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, where this year’s Sakura Matsuri cherry blossom celebration (April 27-28) will feature a traditional Minbu dance performance, taiko drumming, and a Sohenryu Tea Ceremony.
Even if you can’t make it to the festival, visit the Garden to see the blooms through early May. Simply check the Cherry watch to discover which trees are in bloom, and then take advantage of the complimentary Seasonal Highlights Tour once you arrive. If that fails, there’s always the virtual tour of the Cherry Esplanade and Cherry Walk, which is open to the public.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Every spring, the Dutch capital of Amsterdam welcomes in the pink flowers with the Japanese Sakura celebration. This event draws visitors from all over the world to enjoy picnics beneath the blossoming trees. Traditional Japanese cuisine and beverages are also available in tents on site.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Langelinie Park was transformed into a cherry orchard in the early 1990s, and since 2008, a committee has held the two-day Sakura Festival to commemorate it! It’s free to attend and there’s almost certainly something for everyone. Make sure to go see what’s going on the Main Stage, Second Stage, and even the grass in previous years there have been lots of different forms of martial arts displays, karaoke, and even tea ceremonies.
Stockholm, Sweden
The Kungsträdgården (The King’s Garden), which dates back to the Middle Ages, is the best place to appreciate the magnificent cherry tree canopy in this city. In 1998, 63 Japanese cherry trees were planted and peak bloom typically occurs in mid-April.
Bonn, Germany
In Bonn, Germany, there is a creative district called Altstadt with small lanes lined with cherry trees that create a pink tunnel when they are in bloom. It’s one of the world’s most magnificent tree tunnels! In late April, the city holds an open-air festival to honor these trees, complete with live music and plenty of food!
Paris, France
Blossoms in Paris begin to bloom as early as the first week of March. The Shakespeare & Co bookstore, which has the oldest trees in Paris, is a good place to find them. In April, are you visiting France? The “pink whale,” a huge tree in the Botanical Garden of La Villette, is the last to blossom in late April, announcing the conclusion of the season.
Salem, Oregon
For more than a century, Salem has held festivals to commemorate its cherry orchards and the Japanese influence in Oregon. Local businesses organize their own events throughout March to celebrate the bloom, including traditional dinners at Oregon wineries and a display of 30 parasols created by Salem artists.
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