DigitalHygge proposes that March 27 be known as National Cherry Blossom Day. On this date in 1912, First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda, the wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two cherry trees along the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. This simple act marked the beginning of a long tradition and a powerful symbol of friendship between Japan and the United States.
While this moment happened in the U.S., cherry blossom fans everywhere are invited to join in and celebrate.
Why National Cherry Blossom Day Matters
National Cherry Blossom Day serves several important purposes:
- It honors the 1912 planting ceremony. That event helped build a strong diplomatic relationship between Japan and the U.S.
- It celebrates the beauty of cherry blossoms. These flowers remind us how short and meaningful life can be.
- It encourages cultural learning. This day offers a chance to explore Japanese traditions and the values we share across cultures.
By recognizing March 27 as National Cherry Blossom Day, we create a meaningful time to reflect, learn, and appreciate beauty—both in nature and in international friendships.
How to Celebrate National Cherry Blossom Day
Cherry blossoms are a timeless sign of spring. Here are some ways to celebrate on March 27.
Cherry Blossom Photography Contest
For those who love photography, organizing a cherry blossom photography contest could be a fun and creative way to celebrate. Participants can submit their best photos of cherry blossoms, whether from local parks, their own gardens, or even previous travels to famous cherry blossom locations. Prizes can be awarded for various categories, such as best overall photo, most creative shot, and best use of light.
Picnic Under the Blossoms
One of the most traditional ways to celebrate National Cherry Blossom Day would be to have a picnic under the blooming cherry trees. Gather friends and/or family, bring a blanket, and enjoy a meal surrounded by the delicate pink flowers. Traditional Japanese foods like sushi, onigiri, and matcha tea could add an authentic touch to the celebration. This serene setting allows for relaxation and appreciation of nature’s beauty.
Cultural Workshops and Performances
Hosting workshops and performances that highlight Japanese culture can add depth to the celebration. Activities could include calligraphy sessions, tea ceremonies, and traditional music and dance performances. These events can educate attendees about the cultural significance of cherry blossoms in Japan and provide an immersive cultural experience.
Cherry Blossom Crafting
A crafting session can be a delightful way to engage children and adults alike in the celebration. Crafts could include making paper cherry blossoms, painting cherry blossom scenes, or creating cherry blossom-themed decorations. To see what could be done, why not start by watching this video showing how to make artificial cherry blossom flowers?
Virtual Cherry Blossom Tour
For those who cannot visit cherry blossom sites in person, a virtual tour can bring the experience to them. Utilizing online platforms, you can host a virtual tour of famous cherry blossom locations around the world, such as Washington D.C., Tokyo, and Kyoto. We highly recommend this video by the YouTube channel Trip Hacks DC where you see the most famous Washington, D.C. cherry blossom sights including the cherry blossoms at Tidal Basin, Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial and MLK Memorial. The tour guide is super-knowledgable and provides a lot of fascinating insights about the U.S. capital as you revel in the stunning colors of the cherry blossoms.
When Is National Cherry Blossom Day?
Ready to celebrate beauty of cherry blossoms? Here are the dates and weekdays for National Cherry Blossom Day. Mark your calendars and prepare to be enchanted by the blossoms’ breathtaking beauty!
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | March 27, Wednesday |
| 2025 | March 27, Thursday |
| 2026 | March 27, Friday |
| 2027 | March 27, Saturday |
| 2028 | March 27, Monday |
| 2029 | March 27, Tuesday |
| 2030 | March 27, Wednesday |
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
📝 This article was originally published on August 3rd, 2024. It has been updated, and the publishing date has been changed to reflect the new version.
