Cherry blossoms are quite breathtaking, with their vibrant colors and thick foliage that helps them to stand out among other flowers. There are some areas around the world that are well-known for their cherry blossoms and even hold annual festivals, while there are many other locations that offer beautiful views of the trees that aren’t quite as well-known, yet still have plenty to offer visitors.

Vancouver, Canada

The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival features hundreds of trees throughout the busy city. The festival also includes a fair at VanDusen Botanical Garden, which houses more than 100 of these trees. The fair honors Japanese heritage, and a local artist creates a display of illuminated cherry blossoms with LED lighting at Sutcliffe Park.

Washington D.C.

Image via Flickr by Emy ^^

Washington D.C. is one of the most popular spots within the United States to see cherry blossoms. Each spring, The National Cherry Blossom Festival honors the day when the mayor of Tokyo gifted 3,000 blossoms to America, a gesture of friendship that has helped increase awareness and celebration of Japanese culture. The festival starts with a display of homemade kites, along with paddleboat rides, nightly lantern walks that include information about the history of the festival, and a large parade on Constitution Avenue. The celebration lasts for over two weeks and each day has its own list of exciting activities. If you’re looking for a place to stay during your trip, IHG offers plenty of accomodations in the Washington D.C. area.

Brooklyn, New York

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is another unique place to see the cherry blossoms. The lengthy walkway through the garden is lined with brightly colored trees. The event lasts for a month and includes sword demonstrations, elaborate and beautiful costumes, live music, and tea ceremonies that celebrate the culture of Japanese people.

Japan

The cherry blossom has a short blooming life, which signifies the fragility, beauty, and transience of life in the Japanese culture. When you visit Japan during the blooming season, you can participate in a variety of activities and ceremonies to learn more about this special flower. Kyoto and Hirosaki host just two of Japan’s cherry blossom festivities. Hirosaki Park is home to one of the largest celebrations, with more than 2,600 trees that create tunnels of blooms. Guests can also rent row boats and take photos in front of the famous Hirosaki Castle.

Macon, Georgia

While plenty of people are familiar with the festival in Washington D.C., many don’t realize that it isn’t the largest one in the U.S. The International Cherry Blossom Festival, held in Macon, Georgia in March, has more than 300,000 trees, along with plenty of unique extras, such as tours through the foliage, traditional Japanese flower-arranging demonstrations, food trucks, and live performances.

When you visit a cherry blossom festival, you can see the beautiful landscaping and blossoms that are so significant to Japanese culture. Many of these festivals also include additional activities and demonstrations to educate and enlighten others about the traditions and meanings behind Japanese customs and philosophy. It is a wonderful activity for families, couples, or anyone who appreciates natural beauty or wants to learn more about Japan.