It's Time To Blossom: Where To Catch Sakura Blossoms Around The World

Not all of us are blessed enough to be travelling to Japan and witness the blossoming of the cherry trees, the magnificent Sakuras. In Japan, late March and early April is Sakura time: the blossoming of the cherry trees is meticulously calculated by meteorology experts, and the Japan Meteorological Agency makes the much awaited announcement when the blooms are expected. The hanami tables are set and the Japanese celebrate this very special time. The term hanami literally means "blossom viewing", but most Japanese associate the word with a picnic and outdoor parties under blooming Sakura trees.

At this idyllic time of beauty, it would be a great treat to be in Japan, but even if you find yourself at the other end of the world, there may be some Sakura trees blossoming near you. This guide names 21 places in Europe, North America, Asia and beyond, where the cherry blossoms present a spectacular visual feast. 

Washington D.C., as is well-known, is the next best place aside from spots in Japan to view the Sakura blossoming. The U.S. capital is home to the National Cherry Blossom Festival, held March 20–April 15, with its 3,000 cherry trees that were presented as a gift by the mayor of Tokyo in 1912. But there are many other places where the cherries bloom majestically; for example, Bonn in Germany has temporary blossoming tunnels of cherry trees on its streets and hosts the Altstadt Cherry Festival,  April 1–15. 

There are also completely unexpected spots like the Jerte Valley in western Spain's Extremadura region—home to 2 million cherry trees with snow-white blossoms. Or, Lithuania's capital Vilnius' Sakura Park, commemorating the Empire of Japan's Vice-Consul Chiune Sugihara, who helped 6,000 Jews escape from Europe during World War II by issuing transit visas to Japanese territories.

And if you miss cherry blossom season in the northern hemisphere, in July, blossoms begin to show at Brazil's Botanical Garden of Curitiba.