Where to go to see cherry blossoms in the spring

Cherry blossoms are a symbol of spring, a time of renewal, despite the fact that their beauty lasts only about two weeks before the petals fall. If you want to see the beautiful blooms, Japan is most famous for its sakura season (cherry blossoms in Japanese), and we’ll show you some of the best places to see them, but there are plenty of other places to see them as well. Whether you prefer to stay close to home or travel further afield, all of these destinations are fantastic.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Vancouver, which is surrounded by water and mountains, is frequently ranked as one of the world’s most beautiful cities. It also contains tens of thousands of cherry trees, which are celebrated during the annual cherry blossom festival. It includes a massive picnic, live music, a haiku competition, art classes, bike rides, and plenty of pink and white beauty. If you just want to see the blooms, Queen Elizabeth Park is the best place to go, with its trees blooming at different intervals from early March to late April. Van Dusen Botanical Garden has over 100 cherry trees representing two dozen different varieties, and Stanley Park has rows of blossoming trees near the formal rose garden.

Washington, D.C.

The most famous place in the country to enjoy springtime cherry blossoms is the United States’ capital city, which is a popular spring vacation destination. There are hundreds of cherry trees, with the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park being one of the most popular, though Hains Point in East Potomac Park and the grounds of the Washington Monument are also excellent. It’s a great time to visit because the weather is milder, and informative wayside signs guide visitors on self-guided guided tours. You can also visit the many museums and monuments while you’re here.

the jefferson memorial during the cherry blossom festival

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is a hotspot for cherry blossoms, and if you’re going to Japan, you won’t want to miss Shinjuku Gyoen, the sprawling park in the city’s heart. It’s just steps away from one of the busiest and largest entertainment and business districts, making it easy to get to, and it includes over a thousand cherry trees, including both early- and late-blooming varieties, increasing the likelihood that you’ll see them whenever you arrive during the sakura season. Visit the natural beauty and ancient temples during the day, and then enjoy the bright neon lights and nightlife of Shibuya after dark.

Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto has more temples and shrines than any other city in Japan, and with the pink and white petals framing them, the city is even more enjoyable to explore. The Philosopher’s Path is a 1.25-mile stone path that runs alongside a canal in the Higashiyama District from Nanzenji Temple to Ginkakuji Temple. It’s lined with cherry trees that will be ablaze with color during the sakura season in April, while shops, cafes, and restaurants provide entertaining stops along the way. Check out the best hotels in Kyoto for cherry blossom season.

Salem, Oregon

Salem, known as the “Cherry City” because there were once cherry tree orchards throughout the area, has hosted Cherry Blossom Day for over a century. The first was in 1903, and the best blooms can now be found in State Capitol State Park. It honors both American cherry blossoms and the influence of Japanese culture on Oregon’s capital city. Throughout the month of March, local businesses will host their own special events, while the festival will provide opportunities to participate in a traditional Japanese ceremony, learn origami and calligraphy, view authentic kimonos, and more.

Macon, Georgia

Macon has some of the best cherry blossoms in the South. During its annual International Cherry Blossom Festival, the city is alive with color, with cherry blossoms blooming around every corner. It takes place over ten days in the second half of March and includes a parade and a variety of free events. There’s a nightly concert series and a gift shop dedicated to the blossoms, as well as a special trail with over 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees that runs from Carolyn Crayton Park to Bass Road.

Bonn, Germany

Bonn is a relaxed riverside city on the Rhine. It is well-known as the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven and is home to numerous world-class museums, while the spring season draws many visitors to see millions of flowering cherry trees with blooms in white, light, and bright pinks. “Cherry Blossom Avenue” is the best viewing location. It’s an enchanting tunnel avenue for two to three weeks every year, just a 5-minute walk from Beethoven’s House in the trendy Nordstadt quarter, with ornamental Japanese cherry blossom trees on both sides of the narrow street. They were planted in the 1980s and now cover the entire area, creating a full canopy at some points. You should go during the first half of April, when the Altstadt Cherry Festival is held.

Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon is filled with cherry trees, with many beautiful spots to discover canopies of pink and white blossoms. The Portland Japanese Garden, widely regarded as the most authentic outside of Japan, is one of the most beautiful. The Japanese American Historical Plaza near Steel Bridge in Tom McCall Waterfront Park is the most popular viewing location. Between the Burnside and Steel bridges is the best place to see the flowering trees. The blooms will also cover Washington Park and the Hoyt Arboretum.

New York City, New York

If you want to spend time enjoying New York City’s many attractions, you can see some of the country’s most famous cherry trees at the same time. Because the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has a variety of species that bloom at different times, you can see the blooms at any time between mid-March and the end of April. Sakura Matsuri, a cherry blossom festival, is held near the end of the blooms, usually on the last weekend of April. It features 60 different events ranging from traditional Japanese performances to cosplay displays.

Nara, Japan

Nara will be an explosion of pink with cherry blossoms in and around the parks, shrines, palaces, castles, and other attractions. Nara Park is a favorite, with friendly deer roaming around the trees, and Koriyama Castle is a great spot for a photo with the ruins in the background. Mount Yoshino, just south of the city, has 30,000 cherry trees covering the slopes.

San Francisco, California

Not surprisingly, Japantown, with its streets lined with colorful cherry trees, is the best place to see cherry blossoms in San Francisco. Begin at the Japantown Peace Plaza and work your way down. The annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which takes place over two weekends in mid-April and includes parades, live music, local food vendors, and an arts and crafts fair, is also held here. The Jean Wolfe White Garden at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens also has a wonderful collection of trees.

Seattle, Washington

After a long, rainy winter in Seattle, the cherry blossoms are a welcome sight. It’s that time of year when everyone wants to get back outside and enjoy the sunshine, as well as the hundreds of cherry trees that dot the cityscape. The first pink buds appear in early March, and the earliest varieties bloom by the middle of the month. The peak lasts approximately two weeks, between late March and early April. With a large cluster of Yoshino cherry trees, the quad at the University of Washington is one of the best places to see them, and the school also provides live cherry blossom updates via Twitter.

Madrid, Spain

With milder weather and fewer tourists, spring may be the best time to visit Madrid, and in Parque del Retiro, which translates to “Park of the Pleasant Retreat,” there are many cherry and almond trees, with countless white blossoms that can be enjoyed while picnicking, biking, or unwinding with a glass of wine in the cafe. There’s even a lake where you can rent a boat and watch them from the water. One of the best places to stay is a boutique hotel on the legendary Gran Va, Madrid’s famous shopping and dining street, because you’ll be close to the park and many other top attractions.

Stockholm, Sweden

The most well-known cherry trees in Sweden can be found in Stockholm. The seemingly endless rows of pink trees forming what appears to be a cotton candy canopy can be found in the majestic park known as Kungstradgarden. An annual Japanese festival is also held here in mid-April, with food stalls and craft stands set up beneath the trees. Arrive early to take photos away from the crowds.