Cherry Blossom Forecast 2018: When And Where To See The Magic

It’s that time of year again – cherry blossom season – but just because you can’t make it to Japan or D.C., have no fear! Here is our definitive guide to the when and where of catching the magical pink landscape we all know and love around the world.

Hirosaki, Japan

Perhaps the most iconic spot to witness the blossoms is in the heart of Hirosaki Park. Over one million people per year flock here to enjoy the views, made up of 2,600 cherry trees. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival with peak bloom expected between April 21st and May 6th.

Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm’s Kungsträdgården or King’s Garden is home to some of the most stunning cherry blossoms in Europe. Check them out at their best in mid-April.

Jerte Valley, Spain

Home to the Fiesta del Cerezo en Flor or Festival of the Flowering Cherries, which will take place this year during the first 10 days of April, Jerte is the perfect spot to view the blooms in action. There are over two million cherry trees!

Paris, France

The City of Light doesn’t disappoint when it comes to cherry blossoms either! Head here between mid-March to Mid-May to get your dose at the Champ de Mars or Notre Dame gardens.

Brooklyn, USA

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is your best bet for blossoms if you’re in the New York City area. With 42 different types of trees, it offers the most variety in the world outside of Japan! Normally, the peak bloom is between late March to mid-May though specific dates for this year have yet to be announced.

Hamburg, Germany

Each May, Germany hosts its own cherry blossom festival in Hamburg. Known as Kirschblütenfest, the event includes a fireworks display and Japanese cultural celebration. The date is still to be confirmed but mid-month is usually a good bet.

Vancouver, British Columbia

The 37,000+ cherry trees in Vancouver were a gift to the city from Japan. This year’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival will be held therefrom April 3rd through April 29th.

Curitiba, Brazil

Outside of Japan, the country with the largest Japanese population is Brazil, and Curitiba, the capital of the Brazilian state of Paraná, has a stunning botanical garden full of cherry trees. This is the most ideal place in South America to spot the blossoms, which tend to come to peak time a bit later around June or July.

Salem, Oregon

Also known as Cherry City, Salem is unsurprisingly a top spot to check out some amazing cherry blossoms. The gardens of the Capitol Building here house two rows of cherry trees that look like they are straight out of a dream around the end of March and early April.

Washington DC, USA

And then of course, there is Washington DC, where 3,000 trees gifted to the US from Japan way back in 1912 are celebrated yearly at the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The peak bloom this year will be between March 27–31.

Sydney, Australia

For an option that falls a bit later in the year, head to the Auburn Botanic Gardens in Sydney in mid-August for a stunning showing of blossoms. This year’s official Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival will take place between August 17-26.

Bonn, Germany

Bonn is a true dream during its cherry blossom season in April. The city on the Rhine feels especially alive during this time where magical pink flowers can be seen all over town.

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