I am in love with the way flowers bloom in spring. Sadly, in South Florida, we don’t experience the beautiful floral explosion seen in other parts of the world. Because of this, every few years, I travel to find cherry blossom destinations (or other blooms) that show nature’s beauty. There’s something magical about sitting under the blossoming trees, watching delicate flowers sway in the wind.
Tens of thousands of people also cherish the beauty of spring and of flowers blooming during this season. And being completely honest, the magic and the beauty of nature quickly fades when you are at a destination and you are unable to walk due to the amount of people also enjoyng the blooms.
I had this experience a few years ago, when I went to DC to spend time with a childhood friend, and we tried to enjoy the Cherry Blossom Festival events. The crowds were overwhelming and made it nearly impossible to truly appreciate the season and the different events we attempted to enjoy.
I am always trying to improve the way that I travel, and that means becoming concerned about the impact of overtourism on popular Cherry Blossom destinations. The good news is that the beauty of the flowers is not limited to only these two locations.
So how and where can we enjoy the beauty of the blooms while trying not to add to the number of people visiting the most popular destinations? Consider seeing the Cherry Blossoms at a different location.
Being completely truthful, the beautiful allure of these flowers draws many visitors wherever they bloom. However, it is a good idea to disperse the amount of visitors to the 2 main sites: Japan and DC, and consider including a visit to these beautiful flowers during a spring trip.
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Why Consider Alternative Cherry Blossom Destinations?
Crowds at popular cherry blossom spots have become more than just an inconvenience for visitors. The impact on the destinations themselves is becoming a real concern.
In Washington DC, the National Park Service now spends over $1M annually on crowd management and tree protection measures during the short bloom period.
In Japan, ancient temples in Kyoto have had to limit visitor numbers after suffering damage from the 3+ million tourists who descend during sakura season.
By choosing alternative destinations, you’re practicing responsible tourism that helps preserve these natural wonders for future generations.
Where Else to See Cherry Blossoms In North America
Macon, Georgia, USA (Mid-March to Early April)
Known as the “Cherry Blossom Capital of the World” (yes, they claim that title confidently!), Macon boasts over 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees – more than Washington DC and more than many Japanese cities. The International Cherry Blossom Festival here spans 10 days, featuring parades, concerts, and a fairground, but with much smaller crowds than DC’s events.
Tip: Stay at the Hotel 45, a historic 94-room boutique hotel in downtown Macon, GA. The hotel is uniquely positioned at a 45-degree angle, thanks to Cotton Avenue’s diagonal trajectory. For the best photos, head to Wesleyan College or Carolyn Crayton Park early morning.
Branch Brook Park, Newark, New Jersey (Mid-April)
This underappreciated park holds the nation’s largest collection of cherry trees: about 5,000 in total, spanning 18 different varieties. While Washington has its Tidal Basin, Branch Brook offers beautiful lake reflections with a gothic cathedral backdrop. The Cherry Blossom Festival here is local and laid-back.
Tip: The Light Rail makes this cherry blossom destination easily accessible from New York City, making it a perfect day trip alternative to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s which are often overcrowded. Fare: $5.10 roundtrip within New Jersey.
Jackson Park, Chicago, Illinois (April or May)
Chicago may not be the first place people think of for cherry blossoms, but each spring it offers a beautiful (and less crowded) hanami experience. Jackson Park on the South Side is home to over 190 cherry trees, including classic varieties like Yoshino, Snow Goose, Snow Fountains, and Accolade. In 2025, many reached full bloom in late April, forming a spectacular pink-and-white canopy along the Columbia Basin and around the Japanese Garden.
Bloom season is short, typically 6 to 14 days, depending on the weather, so timing is key. The best period to visit is usually late April through early May, with earlier blooming possible during a warm spring.
If you’re planning a spring visit, don’t miss my Solo Trip to Chicago: What to Know Before You Go for tips on neighborhoods, transit, and how to make the most of your stay.
You can check the status of the cherry blossom bloom during the season by clicking this page.
High Park, Toronto, Canada (Late April to Early May)
Toronto’s High Park offers a magnificent display of Somei-Yoshino cherry trees that bloom slightly later than their DC counterparts, making them perfect for travelers who miss the early spring window. The park has approximately 400 acres. Even though there is plenty of space at the park, they do experience thousands of visitors. I am not sure if the numbers are the same as D.C. but Toronto is a large city and the blossoms may attract a crowd just as large as the crowd in D.C.. Keep this in mind when planning to visit Toronto during Cherry Blossom season.
Tip: The hillside near Grenadier Pond offers sweeping views of blossoms with water reflections – arrive at sunrise for the dreamiest light.
Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver, Canada (Late March – late April)
Vancouver’s cherry blossom festival encompasses the entire city, with over 40,000 flowering trees, but Queen Elizabeth Park offers some of the most concentrated beauty. Situated at the city’s highest point, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of blooms with mountain backdrops.
Tip: Join a cherry blossom picnic or “petal party” organized by locals through the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival website – they’ll guide you to lesser-known viewing spots.
Stay at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver if you want to experience one of Canada’s grand railway hotels. It is centrally located in the heart of Vancouver’s downtown area.
Where Else to See Cherry Blossoms In Europe
Jerte Valley, Spain (Late March to Early April)
Imagine a entire valley blanketed with over one million cherry trees in bloom. That’s what awaits in Spain’s Jerte Valley, where the annual Fiesta del Cerezo en Flor celebrates the arrival of spring. Unlike Japan, where cherry viewing spots are precisely mapped and heavily marketed, the Jerte experience feels like discovering a secret because you’ll often find yourself alone on hillsides surrounded by white blossoms stretching to the horizon.
Tip: Book a rural house in one of the valley’s small villages like this one. These family-run guesthouses often include homemade breakfast featuring local cherry products.
Parc de Sceaux, Paris, France (Early to Mid-April)
Just a 20-minute train ride from central Paris, this elegant French formal garden becomes a cherry blossom paradise each spring. The park’s wide allées lined with cherry trees offer a distinctly European take on hanami. While Parisians certainly know about this spot, it receives a fraction of the tourists that flock to the city’s more famous gardens.
Tip: Unlike the reverent atmosphere of Japanese hanami, the French approach cherry blossom season with characteristic joie de vivre – bring a baguette, cheese, and bottle of wine for an impromptu picnic beneath the trees. Take the RER B to arrive at this park. The cost is less than 3 Euros.
Kungsträdgården, Stockholm, Sweden (Late April to Early May)
Stockholm’s “King’s Garden” erupts in pink each spring, offering one of Northern Europe’s most spectacular cherry blossom displays. The later bloom time means you can often combine your blossom viewing with comfortable outdoor dining at the park’s many cafés, something that’s rarely possible during Japan’s often chilly early bloom season.
Tip: Swedish spring can be unpredictable – pack layers and be prepared for the possibility of seeing snow among your cherry blossoms, which creates a uniquely beautiful contrast.
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Where Else to See Cherry Blossoms In Asia
Yangmingshan National Park, Taipei, Taiwan (February to March)
Taiwan offers some of Asia’s earliest cherry blossoms, with varieties blooming from February through March. Yangmingshan National Park combines dramatic mountain scenery with both cherry and plum blossoms, plus the unique opportunity to view flowers while soaking in natural hot springs nearby.
Tip: Taiwan’s cherry blossoms arrive weeks before Japan’s main season, making this an excellent choice for eager early-spring travelers or those with inflexible travel dates. You can also check out the blossoms at Wulai.
Seokchon Lake, Seoul, South Korea (Early to Mid-April)
While Japan gets most of the cherry blossom attention, South Korea offers equally stunning displays with significantly smaller crowds. Seokchon Lake in Seoul features more than 1,000 trees circling its perimeter, their reflections doubling the visual impact. The nearby Lotte World Tower provides opportunities for aerial blossom photography that’s impossible in most other locations.
Tip: The Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival includes night illuminations and food stalls selling seasonal specialties like cherry blossom tea and cookies.
Dali, Yunnan Province, China (Late March)
China’s southwestern Yunnan province offers cherry blossoms in a setting unlike any other – ancient villages backdropped by snow-capped mountains. Dali Old Town combines cultural exploration with natural beauty, as cherry trees bloom alongside traditional Bai architecture and tranquil Erhai Lake.
Khun Chang Kian, Chiang Mai, Thailand (January)
For those who can’t wait for spring, Thailand offers what might be the world’s earliest cherry blossoms. The Himalayan Cherry trees of Khun Chang Kian Highland Agricultural Research Center bloom in January, creating the surreal experience of viewing these typically cool-climate flowers while in short sleeves.
Tip: Combine your cherry blossom viewing with visits to hill tribe villages or a cooking class on a Thai cooking farm. – a combination impossible in traditional viewing locations.
Where Else to See Cherry Blossoms In The Southern Hemisphere
Christchurch Botanic Gardens, New Zealand (September to October)
When the Northern Hemisphere is preparing for autumn, New Zealand is bursting into spring. The Christchurch Botanic Gardens feature several varieties of cherry trees that bloom from late September through October. The gardens’ English landscape design offers a unique contextual backdrop for cherry blossoms not found elsewhere.
Tip: This opposite-season option gives cherry blossom lovers a second chance each calendar year to witness the magic.
Australia (September)
Australia might not be the first country that comes to mind for cherry blossoms, but several regions offer beautiful displays. Here are seven different locations to see cherry blossoms.
Tip: The contrast of pink blossoms against green vineyards with mountains in the background creates a uniquely Australian cherry blossom imagery.
Curitiba, Brazil (July)
Brazil’s “most Japanese city” celebrates its heritage with impressive cherry blossom displays in July. The Botanical Garden of Curitiba offers manicured displays, while the Woods of the Pope and Tangua Park provide more naturalistic settings for blossom appreciation.
Tip: Experience the unique blend of Brazilian and Japanese cultures through special festivals and culinary events during bloom season.
Argentina (July – Oct)
Argentina may not be the first place that comes to mind for cherry blossoms, but the country offers beautiful spring blooms in July through October.
In Buenos Aires, the Paseo del Rosedal and the Japanese Garden come alive with vibrant pink and white sakura, creating a beautiful contrast against their architecture. Further south, cities like Bariloche also feature cherry blossoms set against breathtaking mountain scenery. Visiting Argentina for cherry blossoms is a great way to experience spring blooms in the Southern Hemisphere.
Tips for Any Cherry Blossom Destination
Wherever you choose to experience cherry blossoms, these universal tips will help maximize your enjoyment:
- Track bloom forecasts religiously – Official tourism websites usually publish regular updates starting about a month before expected bloom time.
- Visit on weekdays – The difference between weekend and weekday crowds can be dramatic, even at lesser-known destinations.
- Visit during early mornings – Not only will you avoid peak crowds (in the morning), but the light for photography is infinitely better. Expect larger crowds during golden hour.
- Look beyond the famous spots – Even within well-known cherry blossom cities, there are often hidden pockets of trees known mainly to locals. Ask someone at the coffee shop or stop by a tourism office to find out.
- Prepare for all weather – Cherry blossom season often brings spring showers (which can actually knock petals off the trees prematurely). Pack accordingly for this type of weather.
- Remember the fleeting nature – Full bloom typically lasts just 7-10 days, with the peak “perfect” viewing window sometimes as short as 3-4 days. Give yourself a few additional days in your travel plans if possible.
The Philosophy of Cherry Blossom Viewing
Cherry blossom season reminds us how brief and beautiful certain moments in life can be. The Japanese concept of mono no aware reflects this idea, the awareness that nothing lasts forever, which is exactly what makes it special.
When you experience the cherry blossoms in the right setting, it’s easier to appreciate what they have represented for centuries: renewal, change, a moment worth slowing down for, and the importance of being present.
As a breast cancer survivor, this feels even more personal. Going through cancer taught me to appreciate every season that comes after. Watching flowers bloom reminds me that beauty exists even in the hardest moments.
Some of the most stunning displays happen in unexpected places. Petals floating on a Swedish lake, Spanish hillsides, or in a garden in New Zealand. The best place to see them isn’t about location but about the feeling they leave behind.
Do you have a favorite spot for cherry blossoms?
Planning a spring trip? Pin this guide for later or share it with friends looking to experience cherry blossoms at an alternative cherry blossom destination!
Resource List
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? If you are planning to visit Chicago on a solo trip, or with friends, make sure to read this guide.
? If you are considering visiting destinations that are battling overtourism, make sure to read this post.
? If this is your first time considering solo travel, you might find my Guide to Solo Travel helpful. It covers everything from picking your first destination and even Travel Hacking 101.
? To learn more about what it takes to protect the Cherry Blossom trees that surround the Tidal Basin and The National Mall, read this.
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