From Kyoto to Kew: your ultimate cherry blossom guide

Cherry blossom displays attract flocks of visitors across the globe, from popular hotspots like Tokyo and Kyoto in Japan, to the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C. In Japan the tradition of flower viewing (Hanami) goes back centuries, and the significance of Sakura (cherry blossom) is sown into the fabric of Japanese culture. Every year there are parties and picnics held beneath the trees to celebrate the blossom. As well as these iconic locations, there are also many places to see cherry blossom nearer to home, from Edinburgh and Birmingham to Copenhagen and Spain.

The arrival of cherry blossom is a signal that spring is arriving and because blossom can only be enjoyed for a short period, over a week or ten days, it's valued all the more. Peak cherry blossom times will depend on the weather and range from January to May, depending on where you're going to see it.

Tokyo, Japan

In Japan, cherry blossom season is known as Sakura and it can last around a month, depending on location and climate. Head to one of the parks to take part in Hanani (flower viewing). It's common for people to have Hanani parties in parks, with one of the main destinations being Ueno Park. Here there are over 1,000 cherry trees and a festival to celebrate the blossom. In Nakameguro, there's a line of 800 trees along the river, which arch over the water to create a tunnel – a good place to take photos. And at Rikugien Gardens, visitors can go at night to see the cherry trees illuminated.

When to visit: late March to early April
Other highlights: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is also a must visit spot for cherry blossom, with winding paths, extensive lawns and Japanese landscape gardens

Kyoto, Japan

Marayama Park is famous for its cherry blossom. One of the oldest parks in Kyoto, it first opened to the public in 1886. Don't miss the old weeping cherry, which is lit up at night. The blossom is usually at its best in the first half of April. This popular park can get very busy, for a less crowded cherry blossom spot, try Yamashina canal, where you can take a boat ride and enjoy the views. You could also hop on the Sagano romantic train, which takes passengers through tunnels of cherry blossom on a 25 minute train ride through the mountains.

When to visit: end of March to early April
Other highlights: stroll along the forest path in the serene Arashiyama Bamboo Grove or visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple, where you can see cherry blossom from a wooden stage that looks down over the hillside below

Washington D.C, USA

One of the biggest display of blossoms can be found at the Tidal Basin, where hundreds of Yoshino cherry trees encircle the water. You'll get an amazing view from the steps of the Jefferson Memorial. To get some exercise at the same time, walk the 4.1 loop at Hains Point. It's in East Potomoc Park, where there are many species of cherry blossom, including the later blooming Kwanza trees, with their beautiful double pink blooms. You can check on the National Park Service Bloom Watch for peak bloom time, but the National Cherry Blossom Festival takes place between 20 March and 12 April in 2026.

When to visit: last two weeks of March to early April
Other highlights: visit the Jefferson Memorial while you're at the Tidal Basin and visit the US National Arboretum. As well as being another top spot to see cherry blossom, there's an incredible view of the Capitol from one of the city's highest points, a bonsai museum and themed gardens.

Bonn, Germany

When the cherry blossom is out in Bonn, you need to head to Heerstrasse, a beautiful street in Noorstadt. Many trees line the cobbled street, arching over to create a pink canopy in the spring. If possible visit in the early morning, when there are fewer visitors around. Although Heerstrasse is the most well known, there are many other blossom lined streets in the old Town to explore including Briete Strasse.

When to visit: late March to late April
Other highlights: from Heerstrasse it's only around a 12 minute walk to the museum, Beethoven's House, where the composer was born. And for a gardening highlight, don't miss the University of Bonn Botanic Gardens, with its Palace Gardens in the centre of the city

Stockholm, Sweden

Enjoy lunch or a stroll under the cherry trees in Kungsträdgården, known as The King's Garden. Once a Royal vegetable garden, this park opened to the public in the 1770s and is now a hub of activity during cherry blossom season. During April, people can walk or relax beneath the avenues of cherry blossom. In Stockholm they celebrate Day of the Cherry Blossom on 28 April. It's also worth visiting Bysistorget, a square in Södermalm, and Luma Park.

When to visit: late April
Other highlights: take the opportunity to visit Bergius Botanic Garden, at Lake Brunnsviken, with Victoria House, an impressive glasshouse, as well as plants from all over the world and themed gardens

Jerte Valley, Cáceres Spain

In Valle del Jerte, the valley turns white during cherry blossom time, as 1.5 million trees burst into flower. The spectacle lasts around ten days and is accompanied by a Cherry Blossom Festival, with exhibitions, Medieval markets and dances among other activities. The dates for 2026 are still to be confirmed, but details can be found on Spain's Official Tourism Site.

When to visit: mid March to early April
Other highlights: there are many hiking trails through the valley, and you can also book 4 x 4 tours that not only take in the cherry blossom, but incredible waterfalls, mountain scenery and wildife

Yongfu Town, Longyon, Fujian Province, China

Between January and March in Yongfu Town, thousands of cherry blossom trees will flower across the mountains. There are around 40 varieties of cherry tree in a place known as Cherry Blossom Park or Yongfu Cherry Blossom Garden, making it a long flowering season. Growers have planted trees throughout the tea gardens which stretch across the mountains, and their pink, red and white flowers brighten the paths that wind through the terraces. This innovation has attracted huge numbers of tourists, who come to sample the tea and admire the blossom.

When to visit: between January and March
Other highlights: this is the main garden in the region

Copenhagen

The annual Sakura Festival in Copenhagen takes place at the end of April in Langelinie Park, where there are 200 cherry blossom trees. It's a celebration of Japanese culture, and a chance to experience the blossom in full bloom in a beautiful park on the waterfront. The blossom flowers slightly earlier in Bispebjerg Cemetery, where trees line the avenues throughout the graveyard.

When to visit: mid to late April
Other highlights: The Botanical Garden in the museum district – it has Denmark's largest collection of living plants and 27 glasshouses to explore

UK destinations

Although there are spectacular places to see cherry blossom around the world, we have impressive spring displays in the UK, too. In Scotland, walk through The Meadows in Edinburgh or visit Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow. There are also impressive displays of cherry blossom in the Royal Parks in London or head out of town to Kew Gardens in Richmond for the Cherry Walk, linking the Temperate House and the Palm House. The Cherry Walk is at its best between April and May, depending on the weather.

Other places to enjoy cherry blossom around the UK include Hinton Ampner, Hampshire, Batsford Arboretum in Gloucestershire, RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey, Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Alnwick Garden in Northumberland.