Spring brings with it one of nature’s most spectacular displays – cherry blossoms. These delicate pink and white flowers transform ordinary landscapes into magical wonderlands for a brief, enchanting period.
For travelers seeking ephemeral beauty, there are numerous places to see cherry blossoms across the globe. From Japan’s traditional hanami celebrations to lesser-known gems in Europe and beyond, these destinations offer breathtaking views of cherry trees in full bloom. Here’s our guide to the most stunning cherry blossom viewing spots worldwide.
1. Philosopher’s Path, Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto’s Philosopher’s Path (Tetsugaku no Michi) is lined with hundreds of cherry trees along a canal, creating one of Japan’s most picturesque cherry blossom walks.
Aside from the Philosopher’s Path, Maruyama Park is another highlight, featuring a famous weeping cherry tree (shidarezakura) that’s illuminated at night. Kyoto Botanical Garden offers a serene setting to enjoy Japan’s famous sakura. With over 500 cherry trees of various species, visitors can experience different bloom times throughout the spring season.
The Kyoto Cherry Blossom Festival typically runs from late March to mid-April, with evening illuminations at several temples and gardens.
2. Tidal Basin, Washington DC, USA
Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park is home to thousands of cherry trees that were a gift from Japan in 1912, creating a stunning pink ring around the water. East Potomac Park and the Washington Monument grounds offer additional prime viewing areas.
Washington DC’s National Arboretum also showcases diverse cherry tree varieties. The Arboretum’s collections include both common and rare species, providing a less crowded alternative to the National Mall.
The annual National Cherry Blossom Festival runs for several weeks in March and April, featuring parades, cultural performances, and special events throughout Washington DC. Check out our guides to Georgetown and Washington’s hidden gems for more local tips.
3. Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan
One of the oldest and most popular parks in Tokyo, Ueno Park boasts over 1,000 cherry trees lining its central pathway. During hanami season, the park transforms with blue tarps spread beneath the trees as locals enjoy picnics and parties.
The nearby Sumida Park along the Sumida River offers beautiful cherry tree-lined riverbanks with Tokyo Skytree in the background. For a unique experience, boat cruises operate during the season, allowing visitors to admire the blossoms from the water.
The Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival includes nighttime illuminations that create a magical atmosphere as the pink blossoms glow against the evening sky.
4. Regent’s Park, London, UK
London’s Regent’s Park features lovely cherry tree collections, particularly in the Avenue Gardens and Queen Mary’s Gardens. The elegant white and pink blossoms create a striking contrast against the manicured English gardens.
St. James’s Park and Kew Gardens also offer spectacular cherry blossom displays. Greenwich Park provides another option with cherry trees framing views of the historic Royal Observatory.
5. Stanley Park, Vancouver, Canada
Stanley Park’s cherry trees near the Japanese Canadian War Memorial bring springtime beauty to Vancouver. Throughout the city, the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the 40,000+ cherry trees with events like the “Sakura Days Japan Fair” and “Cherry Jam” music concerts.
VanDusen Botanical Garden’s cherry tree collection showcases numerous varieties, creating a progressive bloom from March through April. Queen Elizabeth Park offers panoramic city views framed by cherry blossoms, while the neighborhood of Kitsilano features residential streets lined with cherry trees. provide another picturesque viewing spot.
6. Arakura Mountain Sengen Park, Fujiyoshida, Japan
This hillside park offers one of Japan’s most iconic views: cherry blossoms framing both the Chureito Pagoda and Mt. Fuji in the background. The 398-step climb to the pagoda is rewarded with this postcard-perfect scene that embodies Japanese aesthetic beauty.
The surrounding area of Fujiyoshida features numerous cherry tree varieties that bloom slightly later than Tokyo due to the higher elevation. Local viewing spots include Lake Kawaguchiko’s northern shore and the Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine.
The Fuji-Kawaguchiko Sakura Festival includes special illuminations and local food stalls celebrating the season.
7. Trocadéro Gardens, Paris, France
The cherry trees of Trocadéro Gardens create a romantic foreground to the Eiffel Tower, making for one of Paris’s most photogenic springtime scenes. Paris offers several other cherry blossom viewing opportunities.
These include Parc de Sceaux with its orchard of 150+ cherry trees, and the charming Square Jean XXIII behind Notre-Dame Cathedral. The Shakespeare Garden within the Bois de Boulogne features lovely cherry trees in a more secluded setting.
8. Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, South Korea
This palace in northern Seoul draws millions of visitors during the short blooming period of late March to beginning of April. Seoul offers numerous other viewing spots, including Seokchon Lake Park, which surrounds Lotte World Tower with a ring of cherry trees reflected in the water.
Historic Changgyeonggung Palace grounds combine cultural heritage with natural beauty as cherry blossoms frame traditional Korean architecture.
Seoul’s various cherry blossom festivals typically include street performances, food vendors, and nighttime illuminations. The annual Yeouido Spring Flower Festival celebrates the 1,600+ cherry trees that line the streets of this financial district.
9. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York City, USA
Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Cherry Esplanade features double-flowering ‘Kanzan’ cherries that create a magnificent pink canopy at peak bloom.
Elsewhere in New York City, cherry trees can be found in Central Park (especially around the Reservoir and Cherry Hill), Riverside Park, and Roosevelt Island. The lesser-known Randall’s Island also features lovely cherry tree groves with Manhattan skyline views.
New York’s cherry blossom season typically runs from late March through early May, with different varieties blooming in succession.
10. The Meadows, Edinburgh, UK
Edinburgh’s expansive Meadows park features avenues of cherry trees that transform into pink tunnels during spring. The blossoms create a striking contrast against the historic skyline dominated by Edinburgh Castle.
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh also boasts an impressive collection of cherry trees, including rare Japanese varieties. Charlotte Square and Princes Street Gardens offer additional viewing opportunities in the city center.
11. Auburn Botanic Gardens, Sydney, Australia
The Auburn Botanic Gardens feature a dedicated Japanese section with cherry trees that bloom during the Southern Hemisphere’s spring (August to September). The annual Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates this seasonal display with Japanese cultural activities, food stalls, and themed entertainment.
In the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, the towns of Leura and Katoomba feature cherry-lined streets, while the heritage-listed Cherry Blossom Avenue in Auburn offers another viewing option. The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and Auburn Cherry Blossom Festival provide additional opportunities to enjoy these spring blooms in the Southern Hemisphere.
12. Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival, South Korea
Jinhae hosts South Korea’s largest cherry blossom celebration, with over 340,000 cherry trees transforming this naval port city. Yeojwacheon Stream is lined with cherry trees that form a tunnel over the water, with romantic bridges crossing the pink-tinged scene.
Gyeonghwa Station features a famous “cherry blossom road” where trains pass through a corridor of blooming trees. Military drill performances at the naval base complement the natural beauty during the festival.
Jinhae Gunhangje Festival typically runs for about 10 days in late March to early April, drawing over 2 million visitors.
13. Cherry Blossom Park, Amsterdam Forest, Netherlands
Amsterdam’s Cherry Blossom Park (Kersenbloesempark) in the Amsterdam Forest features 400 cherry trees gifted by the Japan Women’s Club. The trees form a picturesque landscape with traditional Japanese elements integrated into the design.
Elsewhere in Amsterdam, Westerpark and Wertheimpark offer additional cherry tree displays. The region also honors the friendship between Japan and the Netherlands with ceremonial events.
14. View Street, Victoria, Canada
Butchart Gardens features ornamental cherry varieties integrated into its world-famous landscape design. Victoria’s View Street transforms into a tunnel of pink blossoms each spring, creating one of Canada’s most charming urban cherry blossom displays.
Throughout Victoria, the flowering city boasts numerous cherry tree-lined streets, particularly in the James Bay and South Fairfield neighborhoods. Beacon Hill Park has a special variety of trees known as akebono or dawn cherry trees, renowned for their early bloom time and delicate flowers.
15. Jerte Valley, Spain
Unlike most entries on this list, Jerte Valley features white cherry blossoms from over 1.5 million cherry trees that cover the mountainsides in a stunning blanket of white. This agricultural region produces cherries commercially, turning the entire valley into a spectacular natural display each spring.
The Fiesta del Cerezo en Flor (Cherry Blossom Festival) celebrates this phenomenon with regional cuisine, cultural events, and guided tours throughout the blooming period, which typically occurs in late March to early April. The valley’s hiking trails offer intimate experiences among the blossoming orchards, with mountaintop viewpoints providing panoramic vistas.
16. St Stephens Green Park, Dublin, Ireland
St Stephens Green Park in Dublin features lovely cherry tree sections that bring spring color to the Irish capital. The National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin also boasts cherry tree collections, including some rare Japanese varieties.
Dublin’s Phoenix Park offers additional cherry blossom viewing opportunities in more central locations. At Herbert Park, the lake reflects the pink blossoms, creating picture-perfect scenes.
17. Kungsträdgården, Stockholm, Sweden
Known as “The King’s Garden,” Kungsträdgården features 63 Japanese cherry trees that have become a springtime sensation in Stockholm. The park hosts an annual Cherry Blossom Day Festival celebrating both the natural spectacle and Japanese culture with performances, workshops, and other activities.
Elsewhere in Stockholm, Ralambshov Park on Kungsholmen island features additional cherry trees in a waterfront setting. The city’s Royal Djurgården park also houses several cherry tree groves. Stockholm’s cherry blossom season is relatively late, typically peaking in late April to early May due to the northern latitude.
18. Oncheoncheon Stream, Busan, South Korea
Busan’s Oncheoncheon Stream is lined with 1,300+ cherry trees that create a magnificent tunnel of blossoms for nearly 2 kilometers. The annual Nakdonggang Riverside Cherry Blossom Festival features illuminations that extend the viewing experience into the evening.
Throughout Busan, other prime viewing spots include Namcheon-dong Cherry Blossom Street, Dalmaji Hill overlooking Haeundae Beach and Samnak Eco Park. The Hwangnyeongsan Mountain Cherry Blossom Path offers panoramic views of the blooming trees against Busan’s cityscape and coastline.
Busan’s festivals typically include street performances, food markets, and cultural events throughout early April.
Final Thoughts on Where to See Cherry Blossom
Spring’s fleeting beauty makes cherry blossom viewing a special experience that reminds us to appreciate life’s transient moments. Whether you visit the traditional sakura destinations in Japan and Korea or discover blossoms in unexpected locations like Spain or Australia, these places to see cherry blossoms offer unforgettable natural displays that continue to captivate travelers from around the world.
