Where is the best cherry blossom in the world?
Being one of the most beautiful pink flowers in the world, cherry blossom in major cities of Japan is blooming exquisitely right now, in early April. However, due to Covid-19 pandemic, travellers around the world seem to miss this year “Hanami” (cherry blossom festival) in Japan.
No worries! The fact is that though “sakura” (cherry blossoms) are known to be the symbol of the Land of the Rising Sun, they are not only grown in Japan but also flourish vigorously in other countries in different periods. Let’s find out which other destinations having the elegant cherry blossoms so you can plan a trip to travel and explore the diversity of cherry blossoms around the world.
Indonesia
Indonesia climate is suitable to grow cherry blossoms easily. If travelling to Indonesia in the flower season, you can see cherry blossom everywhere in the country. Cherry blossoms bloom in Waingapu, a region of East Sumba from October to November, the flowers in Batam, Riau island bloom from March to May and the ones in Karangasem, Bali usually bloom in April and September. Travellers to Indonesia can also contemplate the elegance of this flower in Cibodas, West Java from January to February and from July to August. And most recently, this flower was planted in Karanganyar, Central Java.
Canada
During the cherry blossom season, Canada becomes an imprinted picture in the hearts of sakura lovers with charming colours of cherry blossom’s petals standing out at a corner of the modern cities. In Canada, there are about 40,000 cherry blossom trees, which bloom from mid-March to May every year. Around 1930, the first cherry trees were planted here as a gift of Yokohama city from Japan.
Taiwan
In Japan, sakura is in full bloom around April while cherry blossom in Taiwan usually blooms earlier, by the end of February. If you want to see cherry blossoms on your trip to Taiwan, note down Alishan Mountain in Chiayi district, about 1.5 hours by train from Taiwan in your bucket list. Unfortunately, the cherry blossom festival here is also held in April so it may be impossible to travel to Taiwan as of now. A trip to Taiwan in 2021 seems to be a great idea!
Korea
The beauty of cherry blossoms in Korea is truly breathtaking but not many visitors are aware of. Every year, cherry blossom festivals in Korea are usually held in Seoul from late March to early April. Some of the famous cherry blossom festivals that you should attend when travelling to Korea include the Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival, Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival, and the cherry blossom festival by the lake Seokchon.
France
Heading to the capital city, Paris, to see the cherry blossom trees blooming must be an exciting trip to Europe. Parc de Sceaux near Paris is the best place to see cherry blossoms from the end of March to the end of April. Some other fascinating destinations to watch cherry blossom blooming are beneath Eiffel Tower, in front of Notre Dame’s south façade, within the central courtyard peristyle of the Petit Palais, at the Gabriel Pierné square and the botanical gardens Jardin des Plantes.
America
Cherry blossoms in USA often bloom a lot around Potomac Park. It is said that this flower was given to America by Japan. In 1912, Japan sent 3,000 cherry blossom trees to the United States, and they were grown mostly near the Washington Monument. If you want to see cherry blossoms, you can join the Cherry Blossom Festival held in Washington DC from March to April during the upcoming tour holiday to United States.
Australia
You can see cherry blossoms right in New South Wales town of Cowra. Cowra town in our country has a large cherry blossom garden, which is the first replica of one in Tokyo, Japan. Every year, from late September to early October, when the cherry blossoms are at their peak, a festival is held for visitors to celebrate the spring as well as to rever the culture of the Japanese.
It is hard to tell where the best cherry blossom in the world as each destination has its unique beauty in combination with the elegance of cherry blossom, creating unforgettable impression in our hearts. Hopefully, by the end of 2020, Covid-19 outbreak is under control so we can travel again to see and enjoy the charming beauty of cherry blossoms at least once in our lifetime.