I know it’s supposed to be the groundhog that tells us that it’s spring but for me it’s totally the cherry blossoms. When we seem the fluffy pink blooms pop up like party confetti balls in Seattle I know it’s time to celebrate that the worst of our winter weather is over and we’ll likely have months of the loveliest weather in the land. Do you have cherry blossoms where you are? Do they mean spring for you too? (I recently posted an Instagram reel of the blooms popping up in my neighborhood and around March 20/2024 is supposed to be peak bloom for cherry blossoms in Seattle)
Cherry Blossoms in Seattle
If you’re looking for the most famous Seattle cherry blossoms you need to head to the quad at the University of Washington. The UW cherry blossoms are so popular that the best time to see them is sometimes at night or early in the morning. For updates on when the cherry blossoms at the University of Washington actually bloom, these flowers have their own instagram account as well as their own 5 km run. Local bakeries and restaurants are also having themed treats too. I’m trying to keep track of them on this instagram post and so far you will find the most in the U-District where they will celebrating the third annual cherry blossom festival from March 16-April 1st in 2024.
Cherry blossom treats in Seattle
In 2024 there are lots of cherry blossom treats in Seattle. Saint Bread has a sakura bun. Tanuki Seattle has a spring picnic. Bakery Nouveau has a sakura cake that you can buy whole or by the slice. Agua Verde has a cherry blossom drink. Cafe flora is bringing back its popular tea and one of the treats will have a cherry blossom drizzle.
Cherry blossoms in DC
I heard about something called a Petal Pass in Washington DC for guests staying a Hilton Hotels in the area during the cherry blossom season but I’m not sure if they still have it. The Petal Pass there unlocks various deals and activities like a cherry blossom breakfast buffet or a visit to a traditional tea ceremony. Promotions like the Petal Pass get me so excited for festivals in an area and I hope we see more of this to help promote cherry blossom travel for sure. We also have stayed at the Conrad hotel in Washington DC and they have a “sakura club” that offers great value if you are staying at that hotel.
Cherry blossoms in Japan
Japan celebrates cherry blossoms like no other and even their Starbucks is over the top with Sakuraful promotions during cherry blossom time. I wish we could get the Sakura frappucino or even the whole Starbucks Sakuraful line of food and drinks in Seattle. We tried a sakura donut, a sakura frappucino and even a latte that was Sakuraful too. Seven Eleven in Japan sells ready made Starbucks Sakura drinks and we also saw cherry blossom flavored ice cream and beer.
Okinawa Japan is the first place to get cherry blossoms and you might be lucky enough to see them as early as late January or early February. I tried a sakura flavored ice cream in Okinawa and it had a refreshing salty/sweet taste unlike any other ice cream I’ve ever tried-I thought it was going to be more of a cherry flavored taste and I am actually glad it wasn’t.
If you are looking for cherry blossoms in Tokyo, they happen a little later in the season than in Okinawa-usually closer to April. I check sites like the Japan Rail Pass site and this map of Japan that updates to tell you when the cherry blossoms happen in each area of Japan to figure out when the cherry blossoms in Japan will arrive. One day I really want to see the cherry blossoms in Tokyo.
Cherry blossoms in Vancouver
Vancouver has a pretty extensive Cherry Blossom Festival in April. You can use this neighborhood map to find out where all the cherry blossoms blooming in Vancouver are as well. Living in Seattle, I know that some of the best trees are planted along boulevards and sidewalks in neighborhoods and not always in parks, so a map like this here would be so cool as well! In the past Lucky’s Donuts has made a special edition cherry blossom doughnut that sells out daily. In 2018, Four Winds Brewing Company made a cherry blossom beer but I don’t think they’ve made them since. I will try to keep you posted if I heard of any other sakura themed foods in Vancouver as well as on my instagram too.
Do you have cherry blossoms blooming in your city? I’d love to hear where else in the world we might go and see cherry blossoms for spring and if you know where else to find cherry blossoms in Seattle, I’d love to hear too!
Terumi Pong is a Seattle-based family travel writer and mom of twin teenage boys. She loves coffee and pastries, shopping local and looking for greener ways to live. She is also known as Scout’s mom (Scout is a 5ish pound little black yorkie-poo)