” For this Westerner, it’s all because I spent 35 years living in Washington, DC. In 1912,the mayor of Tokyo presented the city of Washington, DC with a gift of 3000 cherry trees. read more
Unfortunately, many Westerners mistakenly associate the cherry blossom tradition with Japanese gardens. Seeing how both activities involve Japan and trees, this is an understandable mistake. But they are, in fact, two very different - and separate - facets of our culture. read more
The cherry blossom is a major tourist attraction in Germany's Altes Land orchard region. The largest Hanami in Germany, in Hamburg, with Japanese-style fireworks, organized by the German-Japanese society, draws tens of thousands spectators every spring. read more