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It’s Sakura Matsuri time again! And that means hanami, the act of going out and admiring cherry blossoms. The most famous hanami hotspot in America is the National Cherry Blossom Festival. It’s going on now in Washington, DC, and the blossoms are said to reach their peak this weekend. With clear skies and temperatures in the high 50s Saturday and high 60s Sunday, it’s a great weekend to visit DC! The annual spring event celebrates the gift of Japanese cherry trees from Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki to the city of Washington, DC. (Back in 1912!)

West Coasters don’t have to feel left out! The Cherry Blossom Festival of Southern California is this weekend in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. (Los Angelenos always get bragging rights for their weather. >.<)

I can personally report that sakura trees are now blossoming in New York City too. We're still only reaching into the 50s this weekend, but for NYC in April, that's not too bad. Plenty of people are taking pics today of the two sakura trees located a block above St Marks Street (Little Tokyo or Japantown) on 9th St, btwn 3rd and 2nd Ave. One white, one pink. There's even some painters there today inspired by the sakura beauty!

Ningin’s Timothy Shen reminded me that the US wasn’t the only country to receive a gift of cherry blossom trees from Japan. In Tim’s own words, “Believe it or not, in 1959 Tokyo donated many cherry trees to Toronto. They’re planted down at High Park (Keele and Bloor St.). The trees bloom white instead of pink. There’s a festival every spring which I have managed to attend before.” (Not to be outdone, Vancouver also has cherry blossom trees just about everywhere.)

Sakura Matsuri events in the US and Canada:
National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, DC
International Cherry Blossom Festival, Macon, Georgia
Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Branch Brook Park Cherry Blossom Festival, Newark, NJ
Sakura Matsuri, Brooklyn, NY
Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival, Seattle, WA
2009 Cherry Blossom Festival of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, Vancouver, Canada



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32 Comments »

Kawaiii!


It looks so beautiful! OMG! I really want to move to NY now.


So beautiful. ^^


You went all the way down to DC?


Looks amazing.


lol! Peace signs!


I can’t believe it’s already spring.


True reporter style Dave, I’m actually going to visit High Park this week.  Unfortunately I can’t hang around Ningin long enough this month to report it!  Glad you had fun!


Too bad no one was wearing a hakama.


Cherry blossoms are quite a sight to behold but no doubt a nightmare for many of those with seasonal allergies (like yours truly)


I wish they lasted all year.


How far is DC from NYC?


Sakura is soooo beautiful! And it’s a shame they last for only a few days and then they are gone! The many stories behind these gorgeous blossoms have been known to spurn many poems smileI remember my friend and I taking in the beautiful view of a cherry blossom tree on the capitol lawn in Connecticut.


I want to hanami one day. hehe


lol Where do you live?


Japan > US. :( hands down.


I cant wait til the one in NYC next month =D should be alot of fun.


Every place has its perks.


MichaelLatorre - 04/06/09 1:41 am

I cant wait til the one in NYC next month =D should be alot of fun.

Yeah Mia was telling me about that! I guess I’ll meet you there! raspberry


Sigh I want to move.


I want a cherry blossom tree in my yard. haha


It’s super cold here in Texas right now. I don’t see how anything can grow. Stupid cold front.


Don’t they do this in NYC?


i went to the festival in DC...the cherry blossoms were beautiful and all, but i really enjoyed all the japanese food!


looks really beautiful, must go with my friend and take some pictures.


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