The American National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC started since 1961 in early spring of every year when cherry blossoms begin to bloom. Wide range of events and activities are organized by Japan-America Society of Washington DC to introduce Japanese culture and arts to the American public. . Its Sakura Matsuri which stretches from Pennsylvania Avenue of 14th street to 13th, 12th and 10th street, is the largest one day street festival in this capital city. In just a day's fare of about 7-8 hours, it attracts about 150,000 people to get to know Japanese arts and crafts, Ginza sales products, taste of Japan, martial art and J-pop culture etc.
The J-pop stage features the sights and sounds of modern Tokyo.
Huge group of audiences for the traditional Japanese performing arts.
Crowds of people flooded in to watch the parade as well as experience an environment of Japanese, the kimonos, sushi, sake, green tea, wasabi..........Children and adults sitting by the road side enjoying the taste of Japanese.
Have you ever seen a police car being tolled off due to un-proper parking? . It was an incredible experience to be treated as a kid and carried down by a giant size soldier from the tall huge tough army truck after we claimed up to take a picture with American forces.
The hotels and the exit gate of Federal Triangle METRO Station where people stop to watch the parade as well as experience an environment of Japanese.
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The beautiful park right at the center of the capital city.
Cherry trees at the park in spring
Colorful tulips in the park and along walkway
Wild flowers
This little garden at Tidal Basin has all its flora blooming with cherry trees.
Its a colorful world
The most attractive flowers inside the garden is still the fully blossom Cherry flowers
A world of pink at Magnolia corner
The blossom white Cherry flowers at Tidal Basin
The pink cherry flowers
People flocked in to Tidal Basin to admire the blossom of Cherry flowers.
Behind us, there is wall in miles of cherry trees with flowers fully blossom .
Million of visitors approaching the site for the flowers, for the excitement, for relaxation and for enjoyment. The method and attitude of celebration to admire the cherry blossom season are entirely not the same as we experienced in Japan.
Spectacular sights of beauty during early spring when cherry trees are flowering.
Its a soothing place to meet and gather with friends and family.
A corner of Tidal Basin
The first idea of planting Japanese cherry trees within district of Washington DC came from Mdm Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore (1856-1928) who was a writer, photographer, geographer and the 1st female board member of National geography society. She was impressed with the beauty of cherry blossoms during her stay in Japan but her proposal received no response until 20 over years later in 1909, the lst lady Helen Nelllie Taft took an interest in her idea and decided to purchase the trees from Japan to plant in Tidal Basin. Japan Authority when came to know that Washington ordered the trees to plant in its speedway, offered a donation of 2000 trees as a gift to ship together. Upon landing plants were found infested by insects and the whole lot were destroyed with fire. In 1912, Japan presented Washington DC a total of 3020 trees of cherry plants and this time, all of them were successfully survived, which today became the main attraction of the area in early spring.
Tidal Basin, an artificial inlet of Potomac River created in 19th century is surrounded by Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and many other tourists attractions. It covers an area of 107 acres and with water depth of 10 feet and fully lined up with Japanese cherry trees. This man-made lake offers spectacular sights of beauty during early spring when cherry trees are flowering.
The cherry flower bulbs
There are more than 300 kinds of species Cherry trees around the area but most common one in Tidal Basin is Yoshino.
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Beautiful flowers grow from old tree trunk
