The cherry blossom season is a sweet and short moment that lasts only about two weeks. For those who like to admire nature, trees, and flowers, one of the most anticipated periods of the year is the cherry blossom, which takes place between the end of March and the beginning of April. While people tend to associate only one or two main areas to watch this magnificent scene, there are many other places to see it, some of which you might not have expected. Let’s see the list below!

1) Japan

In Japan, several festivals are held to observe and celebrate the cherry blossoms, and there are special forecasting services to determine when the trees will bloom, which lasts an average of just two weeks. The observation of cherry blossoms, which there are called Sakura, even has a name: hanami, which for the Japanese represents a little of its characteristics: the ephemeral beauty and the short life span, its emotions and its transience. At this time of year, despite the persisting cold, Japan’s parks are crowded. People take the opportunity to picnic, meditate, walk, take selfies, or just observe the beauty of nature.

2) Dalian, China

Located near North Korea and just over an hour’s flight from Beijing, the city of Dalian is known for its famous Cherry Park Lushun. Longwangtang, which occupies an area of 56,000 m, has a large variety of cherry trees. It is one of the most famous places in China to watch the trees bloom in different colors. The park also boasts the oldest cherry trees in the country: they were plants during the Japanese occupation between 1937 and 1945.

3) Amsterdam Bos, the Netherlands

There are approximately 400 cherry trees planted in Amsterdamse Bos that were donated to the park by the Japanese Women’s Club in 2000 to celebrate the bonds of friendship between the two countries. Located in a special part of the beautiful Dutch park, each one has a name: 200 received Dutch names for women, while the other 200, Japanese names, also female. Every year the Cherry Blossom Festival takes place with typical Japanese food and various attractions for the whole family. The dates vary every year but are usually held at the beginning of April.

4) Valle del Jerte, Spain

If you think that you can only see sunflowers and olive trees in Spain, you’re wrong! Located about two hours south of Salamanca, the Jerte Valley is famous for the beautiful white cherry trees that enchant visitors. To celebrate this season, every year, the region promotes the Cherry Blossom Festival. Several activities focusing on culture, gastronomy, and local traditions are also held. However, for those who want to see the flowers, the forecast is that the trees will bloom between March 20 and April 10.

5) Washington DC, USA

It has already become a tradition, and every year the Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival attracts more visitors to celebrate the 3,000 trees donated in 1912 by the Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki. More than one and a half million people participate each year in the festival, which offers performances by artists, food and, of course, surrounded by many trees. For those who are in the capital during the flowering season, paying a visit outside festival days is also worthwhile. The cherry trees frame the monuments of the city and make the landscape even more beautiful.

Are you a fan of cherry blossoms? Which other places have you visited to see cherry blossoms? Please share your experiences with us in the comments below!