Where to See Early-Blooming Cherry Blossoms | Tokyo Cheapo (2024)

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Where to See Early-Blooming Cherry Blossoms | Tokyo Cheapo? ›

There are little spots all over Tokyo where you'll notice a Kawazu

Peak bloom varies annually depending on weather conditions. The most likely time to reach peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April. Extraordinary warm or cool temperatures have resulted in peak bloom as early as March 15 (1990) and as late as April 18 (1958).

Not all cherry trees bloom at the same time. There are early bloomers such as Prunus pendula 'Pendula Rosea' and Prunus x yedoensis (Yoshino cherry). They are followed by garden cherries, including the lovely Prunus 'Accolade', the deep pink Prunus pendula 'Pendula Rosea', and pure white Prunus 'Umineko'.

Tidal Basin. An iconic location with more than 4,000 cherry trees, the area offers picturesque views of cherry blossoms framed by the Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Monument. As one of D. C's most popular destinations during cherry blossom season, expect huge crowds during peak bloom.

Cherry blossom season generally takes place from late March to early May. However, each region will have its own shorter season, which is typically a couple of weeks. As Japan is a long, skinny country, it can experience a vast array of weather conditions simultaneously, affecting the timing of the blooms.

There is nothing quite as uplifting as a branch of cherry blossom silhouetted against a blue spring sky. Japanese cherry blossom trees, known in Japan as sakura, are among the most beautiful of all of the blossom-bearing trees.

Cherry trees thrive in a location that gets full sun and has a well-drained, fertile soil. “Full sun” is defined as at least 6 to 8 hours of sun each day. Sunlight is critical to fruit production and quality, and also helps keep fungal issues from getting a foothold.

Cherry blossom trees have the sakura fruit (the cherries), and the delicate pink flowers serve as reminders of this truth. Both the flower and the cherry itself have delicious potential. However, there are some key differences to keep in mind concerning their flavors and how they're regarded in Japan.

Buying Tickets to See the Cherry Blossoms

There's no entry fee, and the area is open 24 hours to pedestrian traffic. Specific events elsewhere that are on the National Cherry Blossom Festival's program might require tickets. You can find the events schedule here.

Where Can I See the Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC? While there are cherry trees scattered throughout the region, by far the most famous ones are centered around the Tidal Basin and the area near the National Mall.

Are the DC cherry blossoms worth seeing? ›

By Sophia Barnes • Published March 18, 2024 • Updated on March 23, 2024 at 11:34 pm. Visiting the famed cherry trees surrounding the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., is worthy of anyone's bucket list — and it doesn't get better than visiting during peak bloom.

The blooming period starts several days before the Peak Bloom Date, and can last as long as 14 days; however, frost, high temperatures, wind and/or rain can shorten this period.

Over the last five years, peak bloom, which is when 70% of the flowers of the cherry blossom trees are open, has occurred in the second half of March. Peak bloom for 2024 was expected to be March 23-26, according to the National Park Service. Due to warm weather, the actual peak this year was reached on March 17.

It can be as long as two weeks or as little as four to five days. As the blossoms move past their prime, the flowers become more fragile. In cool, calm, and dry conditions they can hang around a week or even two.

It all depends on the weather, of course, but you'll most likely see peak blossoms between March and April (which also happens to be the same time for cherry blossom season in Japan).

Because climate change is warming up most of the planet, this is affecting the timing of the bloom date for cherry blossoms. In Washington D.C., cherry blossoms on average have been blooming about a week earlier than 100 years ago — and this year was even earlier than that.

Cherry blossom season in Japan occurs annually throughout the spring season. While the peak viewing times vary from region to region, most cherry blossom festivals begin around the end of March and can last well into the month of May. The weather plays a pivotal role in when the blooming season begins and ends.

The cherry blossom season is relatively short. Full bloom (mankai) is usually reached within about one week after the opening of the first blossoms (kaika). Another week later, the blooming peak is over and the blossoms are falling from the trees.