cherry blossoms : NPR

Gabriella Cardenas of North Potomac, Md., wears her quinceañera dress as she and her father, Boris Cardenas (holding dress), brother Jason Cardenas and mother Patty Cardenas move to a new spot along the Tidal Basin for a photo.

Gabriella Cardenas of North Potomac, Md., wears her quinceañera dress as she and her father, Boris Cardenas (holding the dress), brother Jason Cardenas and mother Patty Cardenas move to a new spot along the Tidal Basin for a photo. Tyrone Turner/WAMU hide caption

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Tyrone Turner/WAMU

The Picture Show

Photos: Peak bloom in D.C. draws cherry blossom fans from near and far

March 27, 2025 • Springtime means cherry blossoms in the nation's capital. On a recent breezy morning, with peak bloom still two days away, the Tidal Basin was packed with both blossoms and visitors.

Photos: See D.C.'s cherry blossoms in peak bloom, bid farewell to 'Stumpy'

A person on a paddle board makes their way across the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. Tyrone Turner/WAMU hide caption

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Tyrone Turner/WAMU

The Picture Show

Photos: See D.C.'s cherry blossoms in peak bloom, bid farewell to 'Stumpy'

March 25, 2024 • Later this spring, 158 of the cherry blossom trees will be cut down as part of a project to rebuild and raise the seawalls around the Tidal Basin.

The Coronavirus Crisis

'A Reminder That Nature Is Strong': In Japan, A 1,000-Year-Old Cherry Tree Blooms

April 14, 2020 • For now, the coronavirus pandemic has stopped tourists from visiting the ancient tree in Fukushima prefecture. "No matter what," says the tree's caretaker, "the cherry blossoms are still there."

'A Reminder That Nature Is Strong': In Japan, A 1,000-Year-Old Cherry Tree Blooms

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Tokyo Cherry Blossom Festival Draws Crowds Despite Coronavirus Warnings

People picnic underneath the cherry blossoms in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park on Sunday. People strolled under the trees and spread out picnic blankets, ignoring the posted signs about the dangers of COVID-19. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption

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Claire Harbage/NPR

The Picture Show

Tokyo Cherry Blossom Festival Draws Crowds Despite Coronavirus Warnings

March 24, 2020 • People strolled under the trees and spread out picnic blankets, all but ignoring the posted signs about the dangers of COVID-19 spreading.

In Japan, A Strange Sight: Cherry Blossoms Blooming In The Fall

A cherry blossom along the Meguro River in Tokyo on Thursday. The blooms are an unusual occurrence this time of year. Kwiyeon Ha/Reuters hide caption

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Kwiyeon Ha/Reuters

Asia

In Japan, A Strange Sight: Cherry Blossoms Blooming In The Fall

October 18, 2018 • "I have never seen anything like this," said tree surgeon Hiroyuki Wada. Two typhoons that recently struck the country are a likely cause of the sudden flowering.

At Least 32 People Killed In Tour Bus Crash In Taiwan

A bus that crashed along a highway is lifted by a crane on Tuesday in Taipei, Taiwan. Sam Yeh/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Sam Yeh/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

At Least 32 People Killed In Tour Bus Crash In Taiwan

February 13, 2017 • A bus packed with elderly tourists reportedly flipped onto its side on a highway exit ramp Monday evening near the capital, Taipei. The bus was returning from a tour of local cherry blossoms.

D.C.'s No-Drone Zone Gets Help From Superman And E.T.

Cherry blossoms are seen in full bloom on the Tidal Basin on Friday in Washington, D.C. Officials are urging visitors to leave their drones at home. Leigh Vogel/Getty Images hide caption

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Leigh Vogel/Getty Images

All Tech Considered

D.C.'s No-Drone Zone Gets Help From Superman And E.T.

March 28, 2016 • Washington, D.C., has long been a no-fly zone, but authorities are taking to social media to remind drone hobbyists to keep away from the Cherry Blossom Festival.

A Toast To Spring, With A Cherry Blossom On Top!

A young woman poses for a portrait at the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C., in celebration of the 100th annual National Cherry Blossom Festival. Doriane Raiman/NPR hide caption

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Doriane Raiman/NPR