4 Great Places Where I Saw Cherry Blossoms When I Can’t Fly To Japan

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Cherry Blossoms, sakura in Japanese (桜/櫻) is bloom means spring has finally settled! Nature is back, more sun, and cherry blossoms is at its peak in some places while other will come in April! These lovely trees symbolize that the harsh winter is over and new beginnings are here. I love viewing cherry blossoms! They’re super pretty to look at and pure. It’s the moment when I pull out my camera and take photos of the amazing scenery around me. There’s actually many different kinds of cherry blossoms varying shades of pink and white.

I’ve had the chance to see them every year since 2015, not in Japan but definitely around my where I live which is in North America. More like, let’s be real, I cannot afford to go to Japan prices are all up. Peak season for flights and accommodations. Granted that I have friends I can most likely stay at so that will lessen my expenses but I think it’s just better for budget to stay local. It’s nice to see them in the country where it’s from but sadly I don’t live there. It turns out, there are actually a lot of places around the world that has cherry blossoms so you can go view them closer to home. Thank you Japan for donating them to other countries as a sign of friendship and diplomacy. This blog does a pretty good job listing them. I still want to hanami in Japan or at least in a country where public intoxication is legal one day some day.

As you know, I spent some time time of my yuppie years working in the DC Area and I was fortunate enough to experience on the of the most famous locations for cherry blossoms in the U.S. When I moved back to Canada, I found out there were places around me as well and whenever it’s peak season, I schedule some time to go view them!

Toronto, ON, Canada

I live close to Toronto and I love going to the city to walk around, eat, and shop. Specially when the weather’s warmer, staycation escapade is the cheapest way to travel. There’s two places to see cherry blossoms here: High Park and Trinity Bellwoods Park.

High Park is one of the most visited places in Toronto, Canada specially during cherry blossom season. It is one of the main parks in Toronto located in the west side of the city. When spring comes, there’s actually a website that tells you the peak season dates. Pretty sure Japan does this but having a radar for the bloom is serious business. I’m estimating the full bloom will be in mid-April.

Right at the heart of downtown, Toronto on Queen West neighbourhood is Trinity Bellwoods. It’s smaller and you are closer to great eats and shops. You get a nice view of the CN Tower with the cherry blossoms from the park.

Mississauga, Canada

A more local spot that’s out of the city is Kariya Park. A park that houses a Japanese garden located west of Toronto, quieter for viewers who wants to enjoy a serene small space. There’s a small duck pond, pavillion, and Asian bridges surrounded by the cherry blossoms. It can get crowded when peak season and they are in bloom similar to the dates at High Park. What I try to do is to go to all three parks during peak seasons to get every type of cherry blossoms experience.

Washington D.C., U.S.A.

The Capitol, as America’s capital, has been home to one best places to view cherry blossoms that’s not in Japan. Initially given to the city by a Tokyo mayor back in the 1910s. A sign of friendship between Japan and U.S.A. Now, major events commemorating their close relationship happens during the peak season.

Here’s the website that tells you the peak season dates. It’s a big thing when they bloom that there are many events going on during that time like the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The main spot is the Tidal Basin and it’s so pretty to see the trees around the pond overlooking the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Another area away from the basin is the West Potomac Park. They are both located in the National Mall (yes, a mall where you don’t shop).

Fairfax, VA, U.S.A.

Outside of Washington D.C., there are actually lots of trees on the road and many other parks. This one is a special mention because Fairfax City is where I lived for three years while working in the states. It was super pretty every time I do walks after work or to the supermarket. There are cherry blossom trees around the Fairfax City Hall so I didn’t need to go to the city to view them. It’s more convenient and less crowded.