Get in, loser, we're chasing cherry blossoms!
Spring is in full swing and I couldn't be happier about it! My favorite season brings new growth, warmer weather, and everything just feels like it's touched with a little more beauty. And as a DC-native, you know one of my favorite parts of Spring are the cherry blossoms blooming!
But the Tidal Basin and National Mall in DC are just a few locations to catch these beauties. Let's go around the world together and find all the best spots for viewing the blossoms!
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo's Cherry Blossom Festival takes place from April 29 through May 6 at the Japanese Garden in Delaware Park.
The free festival includes puppet shows, crafts, a pink parade, folk dancing, a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, music and picnicking in the garden. Other highlights include boat rides along Mirror Lake, a self-guided nature walk and jam sessions! What a vibe, right?
Jerte Valley, Spain
Just north of the province of Caceres, Spain, in a tucked-away valley filled with wineries, forges and mills, you'll find an abundance of cherry blossoms.
More than 1.5 million cherry blossoms bloom for 10 to 15 days during the Jerte Valley's Cherry Blossom Festival – or La Fiesta del Cerezo en Flor. Meander through the 11 scenic towns that comprise the valley or rent a car for a drive! The festival takes place from from March 31 to April 8, and features exhibitions, live music and nature walks, among other activities.
Salem, Oregon
Formerly nicknamed Cherry City for its striking cherry blossoms, Salem's picturesque flowers in shades of pale pink and white can be best found on the grounds of the State Capitol State Park.
Visitors can learn about calligraphy and origami, enjoy a traditional Japanese ceremony, view a fashion show exhibiting traditional kimonos, and learn about the Japanese tradition of hanami while enjoying the blossoms!
St. Louis, Missouri
In March and April, visitors can view a wide spectrum of flowering cherry trees and other fruit trees, including plum trees and peach trees at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The Japanese Garden in particular stretches across 14 acres and offers an abundance of cherry and plum trees, blanketing the area in brilliant pink hues during the peak spring blooming season.
In April, you'll also witness Kanzan flowering cherry trees, which are characterized by their elaborate and lush pink blossoms, in addition to Yoshino cherry blossoms, which are distinguished for their sweet-smelling white blossoms!
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Every year, Amsterdam celebrates the arrival of spring with an annual Cherry Blossom Festival. During the celebration, revelers can take part in a variety of events under a canopy of blooms, from picnics to savoring traditional Japanese foods!
With cherry blossoms planted by the Japanese Women's Club as a tribute to the victims of the tsunami in 2000, today Amsterdam showcases more than 400 trees that burst into bloom each spring.
Kinosaki, Japan
Renowned as one of Japan's top destinations for onsens (hot springs), Kinosaki sits surrounded by scenic mountains on the coast of the Sea of Japan, where cherry blossoms bloom every spring along a willow-lined river.
Kinosaki is home to seven hot spring bathhouses, which are considered to be sacred and therapeutic. Beautiful flowers and a relaxing getaway? Yes, please! What's more, you can easily catch sight of stunning cherry blossom trees along the Otani River by night, when the blooms are lit up along the base of Onsen Temple!
Vancouver, British Columbia
To celebrate the city's beautiful gifted cherry trees and the time-honored Sakura festivals of Japan, Vancouver hosts an annual Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival from March 30 to April 23.
Visitors and locals can catch sight of 43,000 cherry trees and partake in petal picnics, spring lights illumination, musical performances and more! If you're looking for a cherry blossom-inspired meal, the Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver celebrates the occasion with a sakura-inspired tasting menu accompanied by a Junmai sake pairing! We do love to see it.
Paris, France
The next stop is the Jardin des Plantes, in the Latin Quarter of Paris. There are beautiful flowers everywhere, but you want to head to the Gallerie de l’Evolution to see the HUGE cherry tree, probably the largest in the city. This magnificent cherry tree, whose branches reach almost to the ground, blooms in late April, and it looks like a wonder. During your stroll in the park, take the time to admire the magnificent white cherry trees as well!
Walk past the Notre Dame and Eiffel Tower for more picturesque shots of the blossoms by these iconic landmarks. Paris is always a good idea, but spring in Paris sounds even better!
Washington, DC
Ayyy my home-town! Every spring, the National Cherry Blossom Festival honors the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the nation's capital. During the National Cherry Blossom Festival (typically spanning four weekends from late March through early April), you can catch elaborate performances and events, plus view the blossoms in their full glory along the Tidal Basin.
While you're at it, hit up the National Mall for the museums, or grab boba from the adorable and delicious SecreTea. My personal recommendation is to check out Residents Cafe for specialty handcrafted cocktails right beneath the cherry blossoms! Just make sure to make a reservation first, in the covered outdoor patio if you can.
Kyoto, Japan
Last, but certainly not least! In Kyoto, finding prime cherry blossom viewing sites isn't difficult. From Maruyama-koen Park to the iconic Path of Philosophy to the Imperial Palace, Kyoto brims with supreme viewing locations.
For an off-the-beaten-track spot, skip tourist-heavy attractions in favor of the Kiyomizu Temple, an excellent destination to observe the pink and white petals in full bloom. The Yasaka Shrine is also an ideal place to catch the beautiful cherry blossoms in their full glory. And at the Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, guests can visit Shakusui-tei, a charming tea house, to experience a traditional tea ceremony overlooking the historic Ikeniwa (pond garden) where cherry blossoms abound!
And there you have it! Prime spots for viewing cherry blossoms around the world.
Keep in mind that the blossoms have a symbolic meaning in Japan: it represents a time of renewal, as well as the fleeting nature of life. The cherry blossoms have a short lifespan, and start to fall after around two weeks...
So what are you waiting for?
Get out there and chase some blossoms!
