Bloom with the cherry blossoms this Spring Break

“The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all.”

— The Emperor, Mulan

Spring is finally here in Seattle! After the wet and gloomy winter quarter has ended with this week’s finals, it’s time to enjoy the beginning of spring. 

Now that days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer, there is no better way to experience spring than by checking out the beautiful cherry blossom trees around the city. 

Cherry blossom trees are native to East Asia and are particularly prevalent in Japan. They are popular for their pink flowers that bloom during the spring season which contrasts Washington’s evergreen trees. Cherry blossoms, or sakura (桜, さくら)  in Japanese, are a significant symbol of the ephemeral nature of life in Japan — a part of tradition and culture that is often associated with Shinto influences.

In 1912, Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki donated cherry trees across the United States as part of the gift of friendship between the U.S. and Japan. In Seattle, 34 of those trees were planted in the Washington Park Arboretum. But due to construction, 31 of those trees were later displaced to the Quad at the  University of Washington which has become a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. 

The cherry blossoms at UW are expected to be in full bloom this week, so now is the best time to check them out! However, it can get crowded really quickly, so be prepared to take turns with other people when taking pictures. There are also several other locations around the city where cherry blossoms can also be found if you would like to avoid the crowd at UW.