Our guide to chasing cherry blossoms around the world
Sakura season!
Springtime is almost upon us and that means so are the cherry blossoms! Also known as sakura, cherry blossom trees come to life for a limited period of time during the spring season. The world-famous pink and white blooms pop up for just a few weeks at different times all over the globe, not just in Japan! Travellers from all corners of the world flock to these destinations in hopes of catching peak bloom—which varies based on the location’s latitude and overall climate—or even the official cherry blossom festival called hanami. To aid your planning process for sakura season, here are our picks of the best places to consider for your cherry blossom viewing and when you should go in 2024.
TOKYO, JAPAN
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Seeing Tokyo on this list should come as no surprise to you. As the Japanese capital city and one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, Tokyo is among the top cities to visit for cherry blossom sightings during the spring season. There are tons of options when it comes to where you can revel in the blooms from riverbanks to parks. On top of the cherry blossoms, there are also other attractions and events held in celebration of springtime that you can add to your agenda, including festival orchestras, nighttime sakura viewings, traditional tea ceremonies, and more. However, with its fame comes the crowds, so make sure to get to your preferred spots early!
Where to go:
- Ueno Park: One of the most popular spots in Tokyo, boasting over 800 trees; hosts the Ueno Sakura Festival in late March to early April
- Rikugien Garden: Known for its 20-metre wide shidarezakura, or weeping sakura tree; open for nighttime sakura viewing
- Sumida Park: A popular one-kilometre stretch on both sides of the Sumida River that is covered in cherry blossoms with the Tokyo Skytree in the background
- Meguro River: A 3.8-kilometre avenue of cherry blossom trees lining the Meguro River, providing a picturesque backdrop at the neighbouring cafes and restaurants
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: Perfect for a day in a quintessential Japanese garden surrounded by 1,000 cherry blossom trees of 65 species; exclusive sakura season merch available at the park’s shops
When to go:
- First bloom: 23 March
- Peak bloom: 30 March
KYOTO, JAPAN
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Yet another destination in Japan, Kyoto is ideal for those seeking a serene, sakura-filled escape from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. Kyoto is the ancient capital of Japan—and perhaps the sakura capital of Japan—where some of the season’s most spectacular hanami celebrations happen. Whether you want to stroll around the city’s beautiful parks or hop on the scenic Sagano Romantic Train, there are plenty of options for you to browse when it comes to viewing the cherry blossoms in and around the city.
Where to go:
- Philosopher’s Path or Tetsugaku-no-Michi: A historical two-kilometre-long path by a canal, ideal for evening walks during the nighttime illuminations
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple: Sacred grounds spanning 30 temples across 13 hectares filled with 1,500 sakura trees, offering stellar views from its Kiyomizu Stage and Oku-no-in stage
- Maruyama Park: Kyoto’s largest cherry blossom viewing area; home to the legendary Yasaka Gion Festival and an iconic weeping cherry blossom tree, Hitoe Shiro Higan Shidarezakura
- Heian Jingu Shrine: A stunning red shrine surrounded by a garden of cherry blossom trees and a pond that hosts the Cherry Blossom Tea Ceremony and Heian Shrine Red Weeping Cherry Concert
- Ninna-ji Temple: A magnificent and important Buddhist place of worship, famous for its Omuro sakura trees; a designated World Heritage Site
When to go:
- First bloom: 24 March
- Peak bloom: 1 April
JINHAE, SOUTH KOREA
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While you could feel like you’re on the set of a romantic K-drama if you visited Seoul during cherry blossom season, we think you should head to Jinhae instead on the southern tip of the South Korean peninsula. Jinhae is home to the Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival—the largest event of its kind—which attracts over two million people each year with its cultural performances, markets, and, of course, blooms. The cherry blossoms—known as beotkkot in Korean—in Jinhae are accessible from both Seoul and Busan and make for a perfect day-trip experience.
Where to go:
- Yeojwacheon Romance Bridge: A scenic path by a stream lined with light pink cherry blossoms and quaint cafes along the way
- Jinhae Jungwon Rotary/Intersection: The main setting for the Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival
- Jehwangsan Park: A beautiful lookout point overlooking the city where the popular Owl Road path is
- Gyeonghwa Station: A former train station that is another favourite for cherry blossom spotting, featuring a stationary Mugunghwa-style train
When to go:
- First bloom: 20 March
- Peak bloom: 27 March
TAICHUNG, TAIWAN
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While Yangmingshan Park and Tianyuan Temple in Taipei are incredibly popular for their cherry blossom blooms, don’t sleep on Taichung’s spring offerings too! Close enough for a day trip from the capital city, Taichung’s Wuling Farm is one of the most loved destinations for sakura spotting. Its mountainous terrain is covered in hues of pink during the season, making it a true sight to behold.
Where to go:
- Wuling Farm: Home to 21,000 cherry blossom trees of different species with a three-kilometre cherry blossom viewing trail
When to go:
- First bloom: Early February
- Peak bloom: End February
WASHINGTON D.C., USA
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Over 100 years ago, the Mayor of Tokyo gifted 3,020 cherry blossom trees to the United States’ capital city in a show of friendship. Today, the cherry blossoms are still a huge attraction in Washington D.C., drawing millions of visitors each year from around the country and abroad. The city also hosts the annual three-week long National Cherry Blossom Festival, which sees a massive parade and the Blossom Kite Festival.
Where to go:
- Tidal Basin: Where most of the trees are concentrated with great photo locations including the Jefferson Memorial, Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
- East Potomac Park: A quieter area along the way to the Tidal Basin with a long stretch of cherry blossom trees
- United States National Arboretum Cherry Blossoms: Boasts over 30 species of cherry blossoms that bloom alongside magnolias
- National Cathedral Bishop’s Garden: Great for photos with the iconic National Cathedral in the background
When to go:
- First bloom: Early March
- Peak bloom: Late March
HAMBURG, GERMANY
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Did you know that Hamburg, Germany is the sister city of Japan’s Osaka? Since 1968, Hamburg has hosted its own cherry blossom festival, called Kirschblütenfest, to celebrate the arrival of the blooms and the camaraderie between the two countries. The most popular event of Kirschblütenfest is without a doubt the fireworks over Alster Lake, which thousands of spectators gather to admire.
Where to go:
- Binnenalster and Alsterpark: The most well-known area for cherry blossom viewing in Hamburg, located around Alster Lake
- Kennedy Bridge: Overlooks Alster Lake and the trees that surround it
- Planten un Blomen: Popular for its fluffy Kanzan sakura trees
When to go:
- First bloom: Late march
- Peak bloom: Mid-April
PARIS, FRANCE
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It’s only fitting that the city of love is home to some of the most spectacular blooms. Paris’ iconic skyline and architecture play backdrop to the cherry blossoms around March and April every year. While you might not be able to watch a grandiose cherry blossom festival like in other parts of the world, you’ll still spot flocks of tourists and locals alike whipping out their phones and cameras for a shot of the pink and white flowers.
Where to go:
- Champ de Mars: A bucket list-level location with the Eiffel Tower in the background and other spring blooms around
- Trocadéro Gardens: Home to Kwanzan cherry trees that produce large, fluffy flowers along both sides of the basin across the Seine River
- Jardin des Plantes: A 60-acre botanical garden that is home to pale pink blossoms and some of the city’s oldest cherry trees
- Parc de Sceaux: Located right outside Paris and is home to the largest collection of cherry blossom trees in the region
When to go:
- First bloom: Late February/Early March
- Peak bloom: Late March/April
CÁCERES, SPAIN
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The town of Cáceres is home to several villages and the Jerte Valley. During the spring, the entire valley is covered in cherry blossom trees, blanketing the region in magnificent white blooms. However, the bloom window here is painfully short, giving visitors only about ten days to witness the allure of the Spanish cherry blossoms.
Where to go:
- Jerte Valley: The main attraction in the area with over a million trees and nearby towns to visit for markets and more
When to go:
- First bloom: End March
- Peak bloom: Early April
For more travel tips and recommendations, click here.
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