Tidal Basin with Cherry Blossoms
Credit: Sean Pavone
Turn over a 100-yen coin in Japan, and cherry blossoms bloom on the back. The pinkish hues of the beloved flowers may not
blush the metal, but their placement reveals the symbolic importance in Japanese culture. Buddhist philosophy teaches that
life is beautiful but short, just like the annual spring bloom of the cherry trees.
Few American cities embrace the aesthetic and spiritual beauty of prunus serrulata as Washington D.C., which hosts the
National Cherry Blossom Festival each spring, welcoming approximately 1.5 million visitors to admire the 3,000-plus trees
along the Tidal Basin and honor the close bond between American and Japanese cultures, which began with Tokyo Mayor
Yukio Ozaki’s gift of the trees in 1912.
The three-week festival also comes with an equal bloom of entertainment, starting with the Pink Tie Party fundraiser
(March 20), the Opening Ceremony (March 21), and further events like taiko drumming at Smithsonian American Art Museum,
Blossom Kite Festival, the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, and Petalpalooza, among many others.
The Tidal Basin is not the only place to embrace the beauty of the cherry blossoms. Below are some of our other favorite spots
in the Washington D.C. area to stop and smell the blossoms.
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