View Beautiful Cherry Blossoms in Japantown

Why Go

Wildflowers are a classic theme for a spring getaway, but in Japan, cherry blossoms are the star of the show in the spring. You can experience this uniquely Japanese cultural show here in Northern California in San Francisco – no trans-oceanic flight is necessary.

San Francisco is home to one of just three Japantowns in the US. Every April, Japantown celebrates the arrival of spring with the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival celebrates traditional and contemporary Japanese culture with events, performances, exhibits, food stalls, and a grand parade.

The cherry blossoms (sakura in Japanese) are sprinkled throughout Japantown, including in Peace Plaza in the heart of the neighborhood. But if you’d like to view them in a less urban setting, head to the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. This spectacular garden has everything you would expect from a Japanese garden, including maples, bonsai, zen gardens, and a tea house. You can find more cherry blossoms in the park in Lindley Meadows or the San Francisco Botanical Garden.

Back in Japantown, you’ll find authentic shops and restaurants that give you a taste of Japanese culture. Go shopping in Kintetsu Mall and try a bowl of delicious ramen.

Visiting Japantown and the Tea Garden in the spring is a perfect way to experience a slice of Japan without leaving California.