Ah, spring is finally here! After hibernating through the long, cold winter months, the warm sun and a bounty of colorful blooms mark the season’s arrival. Nowhere is this more celebrated than with the grand, annual blooming of the cherry blossoms – an event that signals a new birth and brings joy to people across the world.
As these delicate blooms open their petals to the sun and light up the skies (and selfies!) with their beauty, so too do they beckon people to venture out and see this amazing spectacle. So, if you’re looking for the best places to see cherry blossoms in spring, look no further! Here are the top picks of the world’s most sublime locations for hanami, the traditional Japanese practice of flower viewing.
Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the United States
- Brooklyn Botanical Garden, New York
The Brooklyn Botanical Garden is one of the oldest and largest public gardens in the US and a beloved spot for locals and tourists alike. Every spring, the Garden’s cherry blossom trees put on an incredible show that rivals that of Japan’s. The garden is also home to over a dozen varieties of cherry trees, so plan to spend a day below their delightful blooms.
- National Mall, Washington D.C.
The nation’s capital has some of the most remarkable cherry blossom trees in the country. Every spring, spectators gather to enjoy the outstanding pink and white blossoms that adorn the Tidal Basin, the Seaton Park, and other areas around the National Mall. Since 1912, the National Cherry Blossom Festival has taken place here, offering free events, parties, and activities all throughout the month of April.
- University of Washington, Seattle
Washington is home to a variety of cherry blossom trees, some of which you can find on the campus of the University of Washington in Seattle. Here, you’ll have the chance to take in the iconic landscape of blooming cherry trees mixed with the university’s gothic and Romanesque architecture.
Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Japan
- Hirosaki Park, Aomori
Hirosaki Park in Aomori is the best place to witness the brilliant beauty of the Japanese cherry blossom. Every year in the middle of April, spectators gather to take part in the Hirosaki Sakura Festival, which celebrates the blooming of over 2600 cherry blossom trees. Don’t forget to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy under the trees!
- Osaka Castle, Osaka-shi
Set amid a lush environment, Osaka Castle has a grand collection of cherry blossoms that create an atmosphere of pure enchantment. Spring blooms usually begin around the end of March and last through the end of April. During this time the castle park comes alive with picnickers huddled around the trees.
- Shizuoka Park, Shizuoka City
The Momijiyama Park at Shizuoka Park is nothing short of magical when the cherry trees burst into bloom in spring. Here, you can enjoy sakura viewing with the picturesque Mount Fuji in the background. Graced with over 2,000 sakura trees, the park comes alive for two weeks between mid-March to mid-April each year.
Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Europe
- Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh
The Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh showcases more than 600 cherry trees that bloom during the month of April. The popular Princes Street Gardens is particularly stunning during this time of the year, when it is adorned with a beautiful array of pink-white blossoms.
- Hamburg’s Planten un Blomen botanical gardens, Germany
Hamburg’s Planten un Blomen botanical gardens bloom bright with over 500 cherry blossom trees in April. You can take a tranquil stroll through the park or have a picnic under the pink canopy crafted by these delicate trees. Moreover, the gardens also host a cherry blossom festival in April to celebrate the coming of spring!
- Kromme Rijn, Utrecht
The Kromme Rijn area is a spectacular sight during late March and early April, when it is filled with the heavenly fragrance of cherry blossoms. About 150 cherry trees make the outing even more delightful. Most of these cherry trees are located along the Kromme Rijn river, where you can take a stroll or enjoy a picnic with your friends and family.
Whether you’re looking for a charming, serene setting to savor cherry blossoms or for a jubilant celebration to welcome spring, there’s no better way to fill your heart with joy and your Instagram with sweet memories than by experiencing the enchanting beauty of cherry blossoms. With blossoms blooming around the world – from the United States and Japan to Europe – you’ll have no shortage of places to enjoy a hanami!