LIST: Here are places outside of Japan where you can see cherry blossoms without a visa
It's almost cherry blossom season!
Japan is one of the most popular places to see sakura flowers lining parks and streets. But for Filipinos to enjoy the cherry blossoms in full bloom, they will need to apply for a visa (which can take five to seven days to process) to get into the country.
But who says you need a visa to see the pretty pink petals? Aside from Japan, there are other destinations you can go to for your cherry blossom fix, no visa needed.
Don't want to go through the whole process of gathering requirements and obtaining a Japanese visa? Get your travel-planning hat on as PhilSTAR L!fe lists down some visa-free destinations where you can get that cherry blossom experience.
Atok, Benguet
Now this destination won't even require a passport from Pinoy citizens as it's right close to home. Locals can choose to behold the beauty of our own-grown pink trees in Atok, Benguet. Here, Sakura Park offers an impeccable sighting of cherry blossoms as the cold climate makes the tree fit to grow and blossom around January to March.
To get to Atok, you'll only need to ride a bus from Manila bound for Baguio, then go to the Dangwa Bus Terminal and take any trip headed to Bontoc, Besao, or Sagada to get to Brgy. Paoay, Atok.
Hong Kong
Fancy a trip to Disneyland with your cherry blossoms experience? From late February until early May, some key spots in Hong Kong will be glittering in pink petals like the Hong Kong Velodrome Park and the Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden.
Pink trees also start to flourish at On King Street Park this year with more than a dozen cherry blossoms that welcome every resident and tourist walking in this beautiful park to take a quick pause and enjoy the peaceful view of flowers falling to the ground.
Located in the heart of Tai Po, Hong Kong's largest park Tai Po Waterfront Park also features its Fuji cherry tree has light white-pink flowers where anyone can view the blossoms from the spiral lookout tower.
Indonesia
Known for its temperate climate, Indonesia is one of the easiest places to consider when visiting visa-free cherry blossom destinations for Filipino travelers. Locals and tourists can visit these trees in Cibodas Botanical Garden which started blossoming around September to March.
While sakura is quite abundant in this country, its petals and blooms are more delicate and smaller than those in Japan which makes them fragile from rain.
Singapore
One of the Philippines' neighboring countries, Singapore has some of the greatest spots on the island to witness these trees which makes it an easy choice among visa-free cherry blossom destinations for Filipino travelers. The nation has its version of the sakura—the trumpet flowers—with identical features to the Japanese blossoms.
Every year, the Sakura Festival is held annually at the Flower Dome, and this year's event is happening from March 8 to April 10. Guests may stroll beneath canopies of cherry blossoms and snap an endless number of pictures in Gardens by the Bay in Marina Bay, Singapore; Sengkang Riverside Park, Japanese Cemetery Park, and the Tiong Bahru neighborhood.
Taiwan
Currently, Filipino passport holders are exempt from visas in Taiwan but this will only be until July 31, 2024—so see those cherry blossoms in the country while you can!
Unlike Japan where Sakura blooms at the start of March, Taiwan’s cherry blossom season starts as early as January and ends in April giving everyone five months of pink petals.
Sidewalks and parks are lined with cherry trees that give an attractive view for everyone to see. In Taipei, Tianyuan Temple is known by tourists as a majestic cherry blossom spot where different shades of pink bloom, from light pink to peach petals blossoming all over the place.
Thailand
Believe it or not, the Land of Smiles is home to cherry blossoms too! Their own version, called Wild Himalayan cherry trees, is a famous attraction for tourists in the Northern province of the country.
Some of the best views of the Thai-grown cherry trees in full bloom are to be seen from the scenic places in San Pa Kia, Doi Inthanon, Doi Khun Mae Ya, Doi Ang Khang, Doi Luang Chiang Dao, Doi Suthep, and Khun Chang Kean, all of which are easily accessible from Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
Vietnam
Hanoi and Dalat in Vietnam are among the popular cities where you can enjoy cherry blossoms without a visa. Both cities have a cool climate that is ideal for growing the tekoma tree, which has deep pink flowers.
Spring begins in this part of Vietnam in late January, and as the weeks pass, the city is soon covered in delicate pink petals. Some of the best cherry blossom spots you can visit in Da Lat include Hung Vuong–Tran Hung Dao Street, Xuan Huong Lake, Tuyen Lam Lake, and Da Quy Hill Cherry Blossom Trail.
Kazakhstan
Witnessing the magnificent cherry blossom season is one of the checklists while traveling to Kazakhstan. During the spring (from around April to September), delicate pink and white cherry blossoms decorate Almaty's parks and botanical gardens, providing a lovely landscape reminiscent of Japanese sakura.
Brazil
If you wanna go somewhere further from the Philippines, Brazil in South America is one destination for cherry tree sighting. Sao Paolo and Curitiba are the most accessible cities in Brazil where tourists can take a snap of themselves with their local cherry blossoms. Japanese cherry trees border the walkways of the Jardim Botânico and the Praça do Japão during wintertime in July.
