Japan isn't the only place to travel for cherry blossoms - here's where else you can go
It's not like we ever really need an excuse to travel, but timing your holiday to coincide with cherry blossom season is something plenty of people have on their to-do list.
While the iconic pink blossoms tend to only bloom for a short window in late spring, they have become a big drawcard.
Sadly, so much so, that one particularly popular cherry blossom festival in Japan has been cancelled for the first time in 10 years.
Officials in the city of Fujiyoshida, near Mount Fuji, announced they won't be hosting the Arakurayama Sengen Park cherry blossom festival this year, citing a rise in disruptive behaviour from tourists.
The weeks-long event has been held in the city for the past decade, seeing 10,000 visitors daily and drawing in 200,000 tourists annually.
"For Fujiyoshida City, Mount Fuji is not just a tourist attraction; it is our very way of life," Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi said in a statement to The Japan Times last week.
"To protect the dignity and living environment of our citizens, we have decided to bring the curtain down on the 10-year-old festival."
It serves as a reminder that travellers should consider less popular destinations.
Luckily, this isn't the only place to see cherry blossoms.
Here are some of the best spots around the world.
Japan
Of course, you can't mention cherry blossoms without instantly thinking of Japan.
Here, hanami, or flower viewing, is a deep-rooted cultural tradition, and there are plenty of spots across the islands that come alive with blossoms during spring.
Hence the swarms of tourists that travel to the country specifically to witness the bloom.
Kyoto, Japan
Travellers flock in particular to Kyoto, where the famous Philosopher's Path turns pink during sakura season.
A stone path follows a canal lined with hundreds of trees - walking through it feels like you're in a living painting.
Nara, Japan
Mount Yoshino is also widely considered the best spot in the country for sakura.
Over 30,000 cherry trees cover the mountain slopes, turning them all shades of pink.
But as we've said, there are other places you can visit instead.
Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Cherry blossom season is one of the most popular times to visit Himeji Castle. Trees throughout the castle grounds soften the imposing white structure, and seasonal events and night-time openings extend viewing opportunities, creating a striking combination of history and seasonal scenery.
Macon, USA
This southern US city, in the state of Georgia, is actually called the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World.
It's home to a massive 350,000 Yoshino Cherry Trees that bloom around the city in late March every year.
Sydney, Australia
You don't have to go all the way to Japan - you can see cherry blossom in Sydney's Auburn.
The annual cherry blossom festival in the western suburbs, usually in late August, is huge.
The botanic garden goes all out for the festival, with food stalls and live entertainment.
Christchurch, New Zealand
Pale pink cherry blossoms bloom across the ditch, too, particularly in the South Island city of Christchurch.
Hagley Park is the best place to see them, where long avenues of trees create a thick pink canopy.
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