Spring brings a brief, magical display of pinks, reds and whites as cherry blossoms burst into bloom, filling parks and streets with color and fragrance. These trees only hold their blossoms for a short time, so visiting prime viewing locations—whether near home or abroad—offers an unforgettable, almost otherworldly experience.
© Visit California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco hosts one of the West Coast’s largest celebrations of cherry blossoms and Asian culture with the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival. Held across two weekends in April, the festival draws crowds to one of the country’s remaining Japantowns for traditional food, performances, and cultural activities. Nearby, the five-acre Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park offers a peaceful setting where blossoms arch over winding paths and tea tables, creating an ideal spot to savor a cup of Japanese tea beneath flowering branches.
Dallas, Texas
Dallas Arboretum celebrates spring with Dallas Blooms, the largest floral festival in the Southwest. The event showcases more than 125 Japanese cherry trees in shades of pink and white alongside sweeping tulip displays. Dallas Blooms runs from late February through mid-April and features live music, food vendors, and seasonal programming throughout the gardens.
© Japan Starts Here (https://japanstartshere.com/cherry-blossom-season-japan/)
Shizuoka, Japan
Shizuoka is known for some of eastern Japan’s earliest cherry blossoms. The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, celebrated through late February, draws locals and visitors to stroll along the Kawazu River where food stalls, local crafts, and illuminated trees create a lively atmosphere after dark. The festival highlights the region’s early-blooming varieties and offers a festive introduction to Japan’s sakura season.
© Destination Greater Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Nicknamed the City of Gardens, Victoria enjoys a mild climate that allows thousands of cherry trees to bloom from as early as February through May. Downtown View Street is a favorite urban spot for blossom viewing, while Butchart Gardens combines cherry trees with grand seasonal displays of other flowers, offering sweeping color and carefully designed garden scenes.
Kinosaki, Japan
Kinosaki provides a charming hanami experience where visitors can view cherry trees from public onsen (hot springs) or while strolling the town in a yukata. Trees line the Otani River and typically bloom from early to mid-April, creating a picturesque backdrop for leisurely walks and traditional hot spring visits.
San Diego, California
San Diego also offers beautiful cherry blossoms. At Balboa Park’s Japanese Friendship Garden, flowering trees bloom each spring and the garden hosts an annual Cherry Blossom Festival featuring programs, demonstrations, and family-friendly activities that celebrate the season.
© Courtesy of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Meijer Gardens’ Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden features cherry trees along the Cherry Tree Promenade and beside the shore near Zig-Zag Bridge. The contorted forms of some cherry varieties drop petals gently through spring, creating a romantic and tranquil scene ideal for leisurely walks and quiet reflection.
Kyoto, Japan
In Kyoto, cherry blossom season typically runs from the last week of March into early April. The city’s hanami tradition—gathering under trees for picnics, food and drink—remains the heart of the experience. Popular hanami locations include Maruyama Park, the banks of the Kamo River, Kyoto Gosho (the Imperial Palace), and Kyoto Botanical Gardens, where large, picturesque trees create perfect settings for celebrations and contemplation.