Washington DC Cherry Blossoms vs Japan Cherry Blossoms

Article by LeAnne Roberts

The cherry blossom trees adorning Washington, D.C. were a gift from the Mayor of Tokyo, Yukio Ozaki, in 1912. The gift was a symbol of the friendship between the United States and Japan. The first batch of 2,000 trees arrived in D.C. on March 26, 1912, but unfortunately, they were infested with insects and had to be burned. Another shipment of 3,020 trees arrived on April 8, 1912, and these were successfully planted around the Tidal Basin in D.C. The cherry blossom trees have since become an iconic symbol of springtime in D.C., and the National Cherry Blossom Festival is held every year to celebrate their beauty.

In Japan, cherry blossom season is a major event known as “hanami” or “flower viewing.” The blossoms typically bloom in late March or early April, depending on the location and weather conditions. During the D.C Cherry Blossom Festival, The Sakura Matsuri – a Japanese Street Festival also occurs. It is the largest celebration of Japanese culture in the United States. The festival features over 24 hours of Japanese cultural performances on four stages (including J-Pop, traditional Japanese music, and martial arts) and a diverse range of cultural exhibitors, artisan and commercial vendors of traditional and contemporary Japanese goods, and Japanese and other food and beverages.

Some of the most popular places to view cherry blossoms in Japan include:

Yoshino, Nara: This area is home to over 30,000 cherry blossom trees and is considered one of the best places to view cherry blossoms in Japan.

Hirosaki Castle, Aomori: This castle is surrounded by over 2,500 cherry blossom trees, making it a stunning location for flower viewing Ueno Park, Tokyo: Ueno Park is home to over 1,000 cherry blossom trees and is a popular spot for picnicking and hanami parties.

Himeji Castle, Hyogo: This castle is famous for its beautiful architecture and is surrounded by over 1,000 cherry blossom trees. Mount Yoshino, Nara: Mount Yoshino is home to over 30,000 cherry blossom trees and is considered one of Japan’s best places to view cherry blossoms. These are just a few examples of the many places to view cherry blossoms in Japan. If you plan to visit during cherry blossom season, be sure to check the bloom forecast and plan accordingly, as the timing can vary from year to year.

The DMV area trees are located primarily around the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C. and typically bloom in late March or early April, depending on weather conditions.

Some of the best places to view cherry blossoms in the DMV area include:

Tidal Basin, Washington D.C.: This is the most popular location to view cherry blossoms in the DMV area, with over 3,000 cherry blossom trees.

National Arboretum, Washington D.C.: This large park has over 300 cherry blossom trees, as well as a variety of other flowers and plants.

Kenwood, Maryland: This residential neighborhood in Bethesda, Maryland has over 1,200 cherry blossom trees.

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Virginia: This botanical garden in Vienna, Virginia has over 100 cherry blossom trees.

Green Spring Gardens, Virginia: This park in Alexandria, Virginia has over 20 cherry blossom trees, as well as a variety of other flowers and plants.

These are just a few examples of the many places to view cherry blossoms in the DMV area. If you plan to visit during cherry blossom season, be prepared for crowds, as this is a very popular time to visit the area.