byJessica Esa | TRAVEL
The arrival of March means the blooming of the cherry blossoms, a time known as sakura season in Japan. A celebration of fleeting optimism, symbolic of new beginnings, it’s an optimistic time with longer days to enjoy and a sweetness in the air. Hanami parties galore! But did you know you can celebrate this beautiful time outside of Japan? You’ll hear stories of gifted cherry blossom trees from Japan around the world, a sign of friendship and collaboration that’s led to sakura celebrations and viewing sites that you’d never expect.
The US is also rolling into spring too and with it also comes countless cherry blossom and Japan-centric celebrations across the nation. If you find yourself in the States between now and late May here are the events and places you can’t miss for cherry blossom viewing!
So where are the best places to see the cherry blossoms in the USA? Read on to find 23 beautiful locations across America that you can enjoy this spring!
1. Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Mid-March until late April, 2020
Looking closer to the city, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York is home to some of the most famous cherry trees in the country. Running from mid-March until late April, each of the different cherry tree species in the park take their turn to bloom and then fall in an almost choreographed display of beauty.
Sakura Matsuri, the park’s main cherry blossom festival will run this year over the weekend of Saturday April 25 & Sunday, April 26. The festival will feature 60 events in total, covering classic Japanese performances and more contemporary Japanese events like cosplay displays. Don’t miss the chance to also wander through the Brooklyn Botanical Garden’s Cherry Walk, which was established in 1921.
You can read more on this festival at Japanese Festivals in America 2020.
2. Cherry Blossom Festival Hawaii
Late February - Early April, 2020
Get ready for one of the longest, continually running festivals in the State of Hawaii, with days of fun events, beautiful flowers, and a celebration of both Japanese and Hawaiian cultures. The festival also aims to enrich the lives of women with Japanese ancestry in Hawaii who have the opportunity to learn cultural and professional skills and training, which they then showcase during the festival and present themselves in the Festival Ball on March 21.
Unlike other cherry blossom festivals, events start very early and last for months so while the opening festival was held at the end of January, you’ll find events through to April. Wahiawa in Honolulu County is particularly special for cherry blossom viewing and their trees are thought to be traceable back to a single tree brought from Okinawa, Japan. Many of the events for the cherry blossom festival events are being announced closer to the time so keep an eye on their website.
3. Cherry Blossom Day at the Capitol, Salem, Oregon
March 21, 2020
Sponsored by the Oregon State Capitol Foundation, Cherry Blossom Day at the Capitol is a celebration of not just American cherry blossoms, but also the rich impact Japanese culture has had on the local community. The main festival is held on March 21. To see the best trees in the area, head to The Capitol Mall, Salem, the grounds of which are covered in lines of cherry trees that blossom between late February to early March.
4. Macon Georgia International Cherry Blossom Festival
March 27- April 5, 2020
Running for over 35 years now, the Macon Georgia International Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the biggest (and they claim the pinkest) in the country. Although many assume that DC is America’s home of the cherry blossom, it turns out that Macon, Georgia, actually has an astonishing 300,000 blooming Yoshino cherry trees, most of which you can find at Central City Park.
Throughout the week the city hosts a variety of events, some a lot more traditional than others, but all a whole lot of fun. Starting with an opening ceremony on March 27, some of the other event highlights include the annual parade on the 29th and a party in the park April 4. For a full rundown on the events, be sure to check out the website: cherryblossom.com.
5. The Washington DC National Cherry Blossom Festival
Blossoms March 20-April 15; main festival on April 4, 2020
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is perhaps the biggest cherry blossom festival in America. Taking over the Capitol Riverfront neighbourhood, covering around six blocks in total, the event is located between Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd and 7th St. If you visit the official website you can get a better idea of where the heart of the festival lies. There will be performances, food stands, and an arts and culture hub right in the middle of the festivities. The National Cherry Blossom Festival Website has a detailed itinerary of things to get up to.
To get a good view of the trees, ride the DC Circulator’s National Mall Route. Starting at Union Station, this bus route takes guests around the Tidal Basin and cuts through many of the city’s major tourist locations, which you’ll find are populated by a majority of the city’s blossoms. You can get route info and check out the map on the National Mall Route website.
6. Dallas Arboretum
February 29–April 12, 2020
If you’re in Dallas during spring, head on over to the Dallas Arboretum to get in on the cherry blossom action. The area is home to about 150 cherry trees in total that have already begun to bloom for the 2020 season. You can check their calendar of events for Spring Teas set in the garden or just take your own picnic with you to enjoy amongst the blooms. Apart from the cherry blossom trees, you can also enjoy their tulip and daffodil fields.
7. Portland Japanese Garden Cherry Blossom Festival, Oregon
Mid-March to early-April, 2020
While many people head to the Japanese American Historical Plaza or the Hoyt Arboretum to see the cherry blossoms, Portland offers a few exciting options to find a wash of pink blooms. One of the most beautiful places to seek out is the Portland Japanese Garden which is considered the most authentic outside of Japan. Make sure you have a drink and catch the amazing views of the blossom from the Umami Cafe inside. Cultural events happen regularly at their Japan centre but their cherry blossom events are not yet announced. Previous years have involved a festival and a cherry blossom photo walk so it’s best to keep an eye on their events calendar. You can find out more about the location in 5 Great Reasons to Visit Portland Japanese Garden.
8. The University of Washington, Seattle
Mid March to Early April, 2020
After a cold and rainy winter in Seattle, getting back outside to enjoy the outdoors is a pleasure, especially since cherry blossoms bloom all over the city. While there’s no official cherry blossom festival, you’ll struggle to miss the hundreds of trees dotted around the city. One of the best places to view a big cluster of Yoshino trees, however, is in the quad at The University of Washington. It does get busy but don’t let that put you off, take a walk around campus or a picnic to enjoy the view. One of the best things about viewing them at the university is that you can follow their live cherry blossom updates on Twitter. For a less crowded spot to view the blossoms, you can also head to the Seattle Japanese Garden where the trees bloom slightly later.
9. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis
Mid March to Early April, 2020
Famous for its geodesic-dome greenhouse, did you know that the Missouri Botanical Garden is also a prime cherry blossom viewing spot? Within the garden you’ll find one of the largest traditional Japanese gardens in the US with over fourteen acres of land to explore, bridges to cross, and over 230 different types of blossoming tree to see including the Yoshino and Kanzan trees. Set aside some time for a long stroll through the garden and take lunch! If you have time to visit Marshfield (2.5 hours drive from the Botanical Garden), you can join in with their annual Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival happenings which include parties and talks from celebrities and writers.
10. Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
Late March, 2020
For cherry trees in Ohio, make your way to Ohio University. Home to around 200 trees, the grounds of the university are stunning, covered in soft pink blossoms throughout spring. For over 30 years now the trees have influenced the landscape of the university. Although there’s no specific event held on the grounds for the cherry blossom season, it's worth visiting in the afternoon and spending some time there. As the day rolls on into the evening, you can see the trees illuminated just like they are in Japan.
11. Fort Worth Botanic Garden, TX
Late March, 2020
An extensive 7.5 acre garden packed with cherry blossom and maple trees, the Fort Worth Japanese Garden is beautifully designed with curved bamboo bridges, koi ponds, and routes that’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped into a traditional painting. They also offer tours of the Japanese garden on the second Tuesday every month if you’d like a guided walk with your cherry blossom viewing and hold public tea ceremonies every third Saturday of the month. This is undoubtedly one of the prettiest places to see the sakura in the US.
12. San Mateo Japanese Garden, California
Late March to Early April, 2020
San Mateo Japanese Garden is a perfect spot if you’re looking for a more tranquil cherry blossom viewing experience. Although it’s surrounded by buildings in the suburbs you’d never know once you are inside the garden enjoying the koi pond, winding paths lined with blooming trees and pagodas. It’s also one of the few Japanese Gardens in the US that is free to enter making it perfect for repeat visits and casual strolls. Make sure to stop by the tea house before you leave for a beverage with a view.
13. The Irmo Cherry Blossom Festival
March 25 to April 8, 2020
Held in the Irmo Town Park, located at 7330 Carlisle Street in Irmo South Carolina, the Irmo Cherry Blossom Festival is a very local celebration. In previous years the festival has been held in the very early days of April. Expect live music performances in the park, art displays, food stands, hands-on community events and plenty of blossoms.
In terms of cherry blossom trees, the best place to see them is around Irmo park. If you can’t make it to the festival but find yourself in the area in spring, head that way anyway! The town is rather small, with a population of only 1,200, however it’s an easy 10 mile journey from Columbia, the capital of South Carolina. The best way to keep up with the local events is by following their Facebook page.
14. Dawes Arboretum, Newark Ohio
Late March to Mid April, 2020
This 200-acre nonprofit arboretum in Newark is a perfect spot to go and see the cherry blossoms, while they don’t have any cherry blossom specific events you can take part in some of their usual activities like the art installation Treewhispers, or Tai Chi, or just take a walk around the Dawes Lake area. One of the most exciting reasons to choose the Dawes Arboretum as your sakura viewing spot is their Japanese Garden! The extensive garden features bridges, blooming trees, a meditation house, pond, and picnic tables that are perfect to host your own hanami party.
15. Hatsume Fair, Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Florida
April 4 – 5, 2020
You might not imagine Florida being a place for cherry blossom viewing but Morikami Museum had cherry trees especially imported and planted for visitors to enjoy. On April 4th and 5th Morikami Museum hosts the Hatsume Fair, a celebration of spring that boasts an impressive selection of food and drinks, including street food vendors, a special sake station, and even a Sapporo beer garden. Combining the old and the new art culture of Japan, Hatsume Fair also has an anime-inspired fashion show and costume contest during its spring celebration. Keep up with the events on their website.
16. Branch Brook Park, New Jersey
April 4 – 19, 2020
Sitting on the northern end of Newark, between the neighborhoods of Forest Hill and Roseville, the Branch Brook Park claims to have the largest collection of cherry trees in the US. Kicking off on April 4th, the park hosts a number of cherry blossom celebrations including a bike race on the 4th and a 10 kilometre run on the 5th. Family day and one mile walk on the 18th and their Bloomfest on the 19th. If you want to get a more comprehensive view of the blossoms, consider joining one of their Cherry Blossom Bus Tour, they’ll announce the tour dates on their website.
17. Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia
April 4-11, 2020
A creation of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival is a week-long event celebration of everything Japan. On Sunday (known as Sakura Sunday) the main event is held at the Horticulture Centre in Fairmount Park, held over two stages and surrounded by the soft pink sakura blossoms. There are live performances, arts and craft displays and a nearby tour of Shofuso, a local Japanese House and Garden. If you can’t make it to the event it’s still worth visiting Fairmount Park, as it’s home to hundreds of blossoming trees, two of which were planted here back in 1926. They are also holding a Cherry Blossom 10K and 5K Race on Saturday, April 11 as part of their closing events which are well worth getting involved with!
To learn more about Shofuso Japanese House and Garden take a look at 12 Stunning Japanese Gardens in America.
18. Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival
April 4, 2020
Held in Nashville Public Square, the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival is a free, family-friendly celebration. The day will be filled with classic Japanese performances, like taiko drumming and martial arts shows, as well as incredible Japanese festival food, like yakisoba as well as other cultural attractions. To see all the blossoms in the area, join in on the cherry blossom walk in the morning of the festival. Kicking off at 9:45am, the walk will take you through some of the best local sites.
If you miss the walk, don’t worry, Nashville is home to thousands of cherry trees, most of which are clustered in the downtown area. They’re also holding a Japan Week festival just before the cherry blossom festivities start (March 23 - April 3) where you’ll be able to enjoy all sorts of Japan related events. Keep an eye on their schedule for more details.
19. San Francisco Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival
April 11-19, 2020
One of California’s biggest celebrations of Asian culture, the San Francisco Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival draws an audience of around 200,000 annually. Kicking off on April 11, the Grand Parade is the centrepiece of the event. Starting at the Civic Center before heading up Polk to Post Street, and finishing in Japantown near Post and Fillmore streets, it’s here you can witness just what it’s like to be a part of a Japanese matsuri (traditional street festival).
Throughout the week the city celebrates a number of different cultural events including music programs, a taiko festival, bonsai and ikebana workshops and kendama championships just to name a few. They’re all run somewhat separately but still come together under the festival banner, so to get a better idea of what’s happening and when, visit the website.
20. Wooster Square Cherry Blossom Festival
April 19, 2020
In 1973 the New Haven Historic Commission planted 72 yoshino cherry trees in Wooster Square. Since then, the annual festival has grown in numbers every single year, with the festival now bringing in an impressive 10,000 visitors. The 2020 festival will take place on Sunday, April 19 during the afternoon, where street food vendors will be selling a range of food options, though none of them are Japanese and, instead there is more of an Italian focus. You’ll also find on-stage musical entertainment throughout the afternoon.
21. Charles River Esplanade in Boston
Mid-April until early June, 2020
In Spring Boston’s Charles River Esplanade looks like something ripped straight out of a fairy-tale. The flowing river is flanked by walls of soft pink flowers, making it one of the best times of the year for visiting. Flowering from mid-April until early May, the city’s cherry trees are accompanied by magnolias, tulips, late daffodils and azaleas leaving the city awash with colour.
Running alongside cherry tree season, the city hosts their annual Japan Festival, a celebration of Japanese food and culture. Held on April 25-26, the festival features a variety of Japanese performances, but arguably the biggest highlight of the event is the Cosplay Deathmatch where contestants compete for the best costume award. The winner is judged by whoever gets the loudest cheer, so expect the event to get a little rowdy.
22. Barberton Cherry Blossom Festival, Ohio
Mid - Late May, 2020
This fun annual festival has a real local feel to it and goes all out to combine carnival with cherry blossoms. With carnival rides, inflatables, contests and magical train rides, there's fun to be had for all ages while surrounded by the spring blooms. Some highlights include the cherry blossom festival pageant and parade which began the rest of the exciting events. While the 2020 schedule hasn’t been finalized yet, you can keep up with the latest news on their website.
23. Traverse City, Michigan
Mid-May until June, 2020
With its tall, rolling hills carpeted in soft pink blossoms, there’s really no better place to witness the majesty of sakura season than Traverse City, Michigan. One of the best ways to see the blossoms is by getting in a car and heading out via Old Mission Peninsula way on the M-37 state highway. This highway cuts right through the peninsula offering plenty of opportunities to see vineyards and cherry trees. Another suggestion is to head to Leelanau County, along County Road 633, which takes your straight through the centre of the county. For all the up-to-date tips and suggestions, keep an eye on the Traverse City Facebook page.
Where do you think is the best place to see cherry blossoms in the US?Let us know in the comments below!
March 6, 2020 |Travel, USA
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