Cherry blossoms, or sakura, transform spring into a fleeting spectacle of pink and white, drawing crowds in Japan and the Northwest United States. These festivals, rooted in Japanese tradition, have evolved into unique celebrations on both sides of the Pacific. This report dives into the history and vibrancy of cherry blossom festivals in Japan and the Northwest USA, tracing their origins, highlights, and the distinct ways they unfold.

Japan: The Birthplace of Hanami

In Japan, cherry blossom season—known as hanami—is a springtime ritual that dates back over a thousand years. It began in the Nara period (710–794 CE) with plum blossoms, but by the Heian era (794–1185), cherry trees stole the spotlight. Today, the blooms sweep across the country from late March to early May, starting in the south and ending in the north, tracked by an annual “sakura forecast.”

• Ueno Park (Tokyo): From mid-March to mid-April, Ueno Park bursts into life with over 1,200 cherry trees. People spread blankets under the branches, sipping sake and eating sakura mochi—rice cakes wrapped in cherry leaves. At night, lanterns light up the blooms for yozakura, turning the park into a glowing wonderland.
• Hirosaki Park (Aomori): Late April brings the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival, where 2,600 trees surround a 17th-century castle. Petals carpet the moat, and visitors rent boats to drift beneath the canopy. The castle’s silhouette against the blossoms makes it a postcard-perfect scene.
• Takada Castle (Niigata): Early April sees 4,000 cherry trees bloom around Takada Castle, paired with 3,000 lanterns that flicker after dark. Food stalls line the paths, serving karaage and takoyaki, while the castle looms quietly in the background.

The tradition started with aristocrats composing poetry under the trees, but it’s now a nationwide party. Families, friends, and coworkers gather, blending old customs with modern fun—picnics spill into streets, and vendors hawk seasonal treats.

Northwest USA: A New Home for Sakura

Across the ocean, cherry blossoms took root in the Northwest USA thanks to Japanese immigrants in the late 19th century. The tradition grew after Japan gifted cherry trees to the U.S. in 1912, a gesture that reached beyond Washington, D.C., to cities like Seattle and Portland. In this rainy corner of America, the blooms arrive in late March and fade by mid-April, shaped by the region’s cool, wet climate.

• Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival: Held at the Seattle Center—set for April 11–13 in 2025—this festival started in 1976. Over 100 cherry trees dot the city, and the event fills the air with tea ceremonies, ikebana displays, and the smell of sushi from food stalls. It’s a lively mix of Japanese roots and Northwest flair, with music and crafts adding a local twist.
• Portland Japanese Garden: Late March turns Portland’s Japanese Garden into a quiet haven. Its 100+ cherry trees, including weeping varieties, bloom against a backdrop of mossy stones and koi ponds. Visitors wander the paths, snapping photos or just soaking in the calm.
• University of Washington Quad (Seattle): No formal festival here, but the UW’s 29 Yoshino trees, planted in 1964 as a gift from Japan, draw crowds every March. Students and locals picnic on the grass, turning the Quad into an impromptu hanami spot.

The Northwest’s festivals are smaller than Japan’s, often tied to Japanese-American communities. Seattle’s event began as a way to share culture after years of hardship, like the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. Portland keeps it simple, letting the trees speak for themselves.

Two Worlds, One Bloom

Japan’s cherry blossom season is a national wave, rolling from Kyushu to Hokkaido with massive festivals that light up castles and parks. The Northwest’s version is more scattered—shorter, wetter, and tied to specific spots like gardens or campuses. In Japan, you’ll find sake and lanterns; in the USA, food trucks and craft beer join the mix.

The trees themselves tell a shared story: most in the Northwest trace back to Japan, gifts or imports from over a century ago. Japan’s climate nurtures hundreds of varieties, while the Northwest sticks to tough ones like Yoshino that can handle the rain. Both places feel the pinch of climate change, with blooms creeping earlier each year.

A Season to Remember

In Japan, cherry blossoms turn cities into pink dreamscapes, a tradition that’s grown from quiet poetry to raucous picnics. In the Northwest, they’re a bridge to the past, blooming through rain and history to unite communities. Whether it’s Hirosaki’s petal-filled moat or Seattle’s bustling festival, the sakura season is a fleeting gift—gone in weeks, but unforgettable.