The Jefferson Memorial across the Tidal Basin, through the cherry blossomTidal Basin
- Best time
- Peak bloom, usually late March to early April — at sunrise
- Getting there
- Walk from Smithsonian metro station
Why it’s in the log
On 27 March 1912, First Lady Helen Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two of 3,020 cherry trees given to Washington by the mayor of Tokyo, Yukio Ozaki, on the north bank of the Tidal Basin. Yoshino trees from the gift went in around the basin over the following years; Japan sent 3,800 more in 1965. Cuttings from the 1912 trees are used for replanting, to keep their line going.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival marks the gift each spring. In 2024 the Park Service cut 158 of the nearly 3,700 trees to rebuild the sinking seawall, so some stretches are newly planted. Come at sunrise to have the paths to yourself.
Also logged in Washington DC
All of Washington DC →
Mentioned alongside
Washington DC
Past the monuments, Dupont Circle and the rowhouse blocks around it run a century of unglamorous neighborhood institutions.
Japan
The famous stops book out months ahead; the counters that actually feed the neighbourhood mostly don't take reservations at all.
Tokyo
Shimokitazawa's back streets hold more good counters than the guidebook districts ever will.
