Spring is about to arrive with a vengeance! Among the four seasons, it is one of the most exciting times to travel thanks to warming temperatures, seasonal festivals and, of course, flower blooms.
But there is one particular spring bloom that stands out above the rest: the cherry blossom or sakura!
With its distinctive five-pronged forked petals, this mostly pink or white beauty has become a symbol of spring that’s widely recognized worldwide, almost becoming a living symbol of the temperate nation of Japan.
Fun fact, though, there are places outside of Japan where you can admire the cherry blossom too! There’re so many, in fact, here’s 8 of ‘em:
Changwon, South Korea
Just a hop and a skip away from Japan is South Korea, which is also yet another famed cherry blossom hotspot.
For those who prefer short trips, Yeouido Island in Seoul is a great choice to see the cherry blossoms that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
For something more afar though, the Jinhae district of Changwon City is a massively popular spot. And it’s not hard to see why! Canals and bridges flanked by a canopy bursting with blooms, it’s simply a dreamy and romantic sight that must be seen to be believed!
London, United Kingdom
Spring in jolly old England means a plethora of sakura sights of all kinds of colors and shapes! And in London, you’re simply spoilt for choice in this metropolis’ many green zones!
A good place to start would be the city’s many parks, with neat walkways and avenues flanked by sakura trees and well-manicured lawns. These sakura parks include places such as Greenwich Park, Regent’s Park and Kensington Gardens. But, if you want a bit more variety, then pay a visit to the esteemed Kew Gardens and its many varieties of white, pink and white-pink varieties!
Paris, France
Spring is where the City of Light shines the most, all thanks to its cherry tree blooms steeping the city in a brilliant pink hue.
Despite the romantic city’s many attractions, its sakura spots still manage to attract a not insignificant number of locals and tourists! Some of these cherry blossom spots during the city’s primetime season include the Jardin des Plantes botanical garden with its grand main building, the romantic Square Jean XXIII garden next to the Notre Dame, the Jardin du Palais Royal gardens with its grand statue and fountains, and the rolling, majestic Le parc de Sceaux gardens, which have a chateau as its backdrop.
Washington D.C., United States
Washington and sakura may sound like an unlikely combo, but it’s true!
Although mainly an administrative district, the U.S. capital is also home to one of the nation’s most charming spring sights thanks to its myriad of cherry blossoms in and around the Tidal Basin and Washington Monument, adding a soft and charming touch to the utilitarian government buildings and stoic monuments.
As of 2024, they’ve had more than a century of history, being planted in 1912 as a sign of friendship between Japan and the United States, with 3,000 of them planted here and 3,000 of them in New York. Ever since, they’ve become one of Washington’s spring icons.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin’s sakura are not as packed with visitors as the other entries, but they’re no less mesmerizing!
The cherry blossoms here starts blooming for just a short period from early April until late May, but it’s enough to dye parts of this cultural capital into a pink paradise. Add the warming sun and it’s a charming destination for sakura lovers!
For a cherry blossom extravaganza, start from the old Cold War border crossing at Bornholmer Strasse, trace a path through the Berlin Wall Trail, the storied Glienicke Bridge and the magical Gardens of the World.
Lausanne, Switzerland
Lausanne is the second largest city on Lake Geneva and it just so happens to be a famed cherry blossom viewing spot.
Not many would go out of their way to visit Lausanne, but they’d be missing out on angelic snowcapped peaks, jaw-dropping lakeside vistas and a medieval era town full of life. And it only gets better with the pinkish charms of cherry blossoms! Popular stops for cherry blossoms here include the charming garden behind the Musée de l’Elysée museum which has pink, red and white varieties of sakura.
Stockholm, Sweden
Despite Stockholm’s bitterly cold winters, once it lets up and spring waltzes in, the myriad of sakura blooms bring joy to the town once more!
Some of the city’s most celebrated sakura spots lie at the King’s Garden, a sprawling boulevard that welcomes streams of crowds to its pink blooms. But, if crowds aren’t your thing, then head on over to Luma Park in the Hammarby Sjöstad district, where neat rows of sakura trees await!
