Every spring, cherry blossoms transform cities and parks around the world into fleeting landscapes. From Japan to Europe and the United States, here are eight of the most beautiful places to celebrate hanami, blending traditions, festivals, and picnics beneath the “sakuras”.
An ancestral Japanese tradition, hanami—literally “flower viewing”—refers to gathering under blooming cherry trees to celebrate the arrival of spring. In Japan, it’s not just about observing the trees. People come together with friends, family, or colleagues to picnic, drink, and share a suspended moment under the sakuras.
This tradition dates back over a thousand years to the Heian period (8th–12th century), when the imperial aristocracy gathered to admire the blossoms and compose poetry. Over time, hanami became more widespread, turning into a true popular ritual, still guided today by blossom forecasts and celebrated across the country as a key moment in the calendar.
The term sakura refers to the cherry blossoms themselves. Fragile and short-lived, they last only about ten days, making them a powerful symbol in Japanese culture: one of transient beauty and the fleeting nature of life, a concept deeply rooted in the country’s aesthetics and philosophy.
Kakunodate, Japan
In Kakunodate, a small town in Akita Prefecture in northern Japan, spring creates a postcard-like setting where heritage meets nature. From mid-April to late April, weeping cherry trees (shidare-zakura) drape the samurai district in pale pink cascades, while the banks of the Hinokinai River form a tunnel of sakuras perfect for strolling. Illuminated at night, the area becomes even more magical. Easily accessible by shinkansen (Japan’s high-speed train) from Tokyo, Kakunodate can be explored on foot from the station.
Tokyo, Japan
In Tokyo, hanami shapes the rhythm of spring, turning the city into a vast gathering beneath blooming cherry trees. From late March to early April, locals and visitors gather in parks to picnic and enjoy this brief season when sakuras are in full bloom. Among the most popular spots, Ueno Park is known for its lively atmosphere and long cherry-lined paths, while Yoyogi Park attracts a more relaxed crowd sharing meals on the grass. Along the Meguro River, the trees form a spectacular tunnel, especially magical in the evening with illuminations. For a quieter atmosphere, Shinjuku Gyoen offers a more refined and contemplative setting.
Seoul, South Korea
In Seoul’s Yeouido district, cherry blossoms create one of South Korea’s most impressive spring spectacles each year, from early to mid-April. Along Yeouiseo-ro (Yunjung-ro), the festival turns the area into a floral corridor with nearly 1,900 cherry trees, alongside azaleas and forsythias. Nearby, Yeouido Hangang Park invites visitors to settle in for a picnic as petals fall, in a typical hanami atmosphere. As the day progresses, the mood becomes more festive with concerts, performances, street food stalls, and street artists, creating a lively springtime experience.
Parc de Sceaux, France
At the Domaine de Sceaux, in the Hauts-de-Seine just outside Paris, hanami celebrates the blooming of Japanese cherry trees each spring in an exceptional landscaped setting. From April 4 to April 19, 2026, the groves are adorned with hundreds of pale pink sakuras, offering a highly anticipated spectacle in the Paris region. During this period, activities, workshops, and performances centered on Japanese culture accompany the visit, blending contemplative walks with picnics under the blossoms. Easily accessible via the RER B from Paris, the site is largely open access, though entry to the lawns beneath the cherry trees is regulated by reservation to protect them.
Parc oriental de Maulévrier, France
At the Oriental Park of Maulévrier, in Maine-et-Loire, hanami offers one of the most authentic experiences in France within Europe’s largest Japanese garden. From mid-March to late March, cherry blossoms mark the arrival of spring and invite contemplation in a setting inspired by traditional Japanese gardens. During the event, visitors can picnic under the cherry trees as in Japan, with concerts and cultural activities on weekends enhancing the immersive experience. Officially recognized and supported by the Japanese Embassy, this hanami is designed as a true celebration of Japanese tradition, blending nature, culture, and shared moments.
Kungsträdgården Park, Sweden
In Stockholm, Sweden, Kungsträdgården Park becomes one of Europe’s most beautiful hanami spots each spring. Its cherry-lined avenues attract locals and visitors who come to enjoy a convivial moment, often around a fika or a picnic under the sakuras. On April 26, 2026, Cherry Blossom Day highlights Japanese culture with a festive program including taiko drumming, kimono parades, martial arts demonstrations, origami, tea ceremonies, as well as concerts and traditional dances such as Yosakoi.
Kersenbloesempark, Netherlands
In Amstelveen, just south of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Kersenbloesempark is a unique place to see cherry blossoms in Europe. The park has a meaningful history: in 2000, the Japan Women’s Club gifted 400 trees to the city, each with a name—half Japanese, half Dutch—as a symbol of connection between the two cultures. In spring, usually between mid-March and mid-April, the entire park turns into a cloud of pink and white. Visitors mainly come to relax: picnics on the grass, photos, time with friends… The atmosphere is simple, almost like in Tokyo during hanami. And just twenty minutes by tram from Amsterdam, it’s an easy getaway.
Washington, United States
In Washington, D.C., the National Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 20 to April 12, 2026, transforming the city into a large spring celebration centered around cherry blossoms, especially around the Tidal Basin. For more than three weeks, the event combines peak bloom with a rich cultural program featuring key highlights such as the opening ceremony, the popular Blossom Kite Festival where hundreds of kites fill the sky, and Petalpalooza, a major day of concerts, artistic performances, and fireworks. The festival culminates with the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, a spectacular procession of floats, marching bands, and performances along Constitution Avenue, alongside numerous side events including markets, art installations, and culinary experiences inspired by cherry blossoms.
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Featured photo : Unsplash
