Bucharest hosts Europe’s largest Japanese cherry blossom garden

Europe’s largest Japanese cherry blossom garden is located in Bucharest’s King Michael I Park (formerly known as Herastrau Park), drawing hundreds of visitors each year. People of all ages coming from around the world gather beneath the pink and white blossoms to take photos and enjoy picnics.

The city recently planted 24 additional Japanese cherry blossom trees, bringing the total to 85.

With this expansion, the garden has surpassed the one in Stockholm, becoming the largest of its kind in Europe, CE Report quotes BTA.

“Only Bonn and Amsterdam have more cherry blossoms than we do, but theirs are spread across parks and city streets,” Bucharest Mayor Ciprian Ciucu said.

The garden in the Romanian capital also features bonsai, maple trees, and bamboo.

Each year, in the days around Easter, the garden hosts Hanami, the traditional Japanese celebration of cherry blossoms. During the event, visitors can take part in a tea ceremony, try origami, practice calligraphy, and wear a kimono.