Blooming cherry trees, known as “sakura” in Japanese, signify the welcoming of Spring, while the act of viewing and celebrating the blossoms is called “hanami.”
And you can see them right here in Urbana – but don’t blink.
It’s one of the most beautiful times of year in Urbana, and if you blink, you just might miss it.
Cherry trees in bloom, known as “sakura,” are a time-honored symbol of early spring. Their fragile beauty symbolizes springtime renewal, and reminds us of the fleeting nature of life. While many of us have heard about the cherry trees in Washington, D.C. and the famous spring festival that celebrates them, most people don’t realize that here in Urbana, we have one of the most glorious groves of cherry trees in Illinois.
A few years ago, a website named the Urbana grove one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in the United States. The cherry trees nestled within the Arboretum are an extension of the gardens at Japan House at the University of Illinois, which sits on the Arboretum footprint.
During this season in Japan, people like to have cherry blossom viewing parties with colleagues, friends, and family. They enjoy eating, drinking, and gathering underneath the blossoms. They refer to this custom as “hanami.” Hanami is translated as “flower viewing” – hana (flower) and mi (to see or view), and the tradition can be traced back a thousand years.
In March 2020, one of our family’s first excursions together after the statewide shutdown had begun was to Japan House and the Arboretum. Even though all scheduled activities had been canceled and people were encouraged to view the blossoms virtually, you could find small family groups like ours giving each other a wide berth while taking in the sights and sounds of spring. Sakura seemed more meaningful than ever before as a symbol of hope amidst all the unknowns of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Typically, sakura happens in Urbana during the first two weeks of April, a couple of weeks behind peak bloom in Washington, DC. Keep up with the timing of Urbana’s sakura thanks to Japan House’s annual “sakura watch” posts on their website and on their social media (Facebook and Instagram). If you want to see the cherry blossoms at their peak, be sure to head over there before wind and rain — or merely the passage of time — end the blossoms’ reign.
When our family has made special trips in years past to see the cherry tree blossoms, the pink-and-white flowers never disappoint. The setting in Cherry Tree Allée is literally breathtaking. The calm, peaceful atmosphere isn’t lost even on typically rambunctious children, who might enjoy taking photos amongst the trees and around the pond.
Note that this park doesn’t have any playground equipment, so depending on your child, you might want to bring outdoor toys. The good news is that the paved path is wide and perfect for riding toys and strollers, and there are plenty of grassy areas suitable for running. Kids always find plenty of ways to play in the natural setting, whether traversing the Japan House paths or playing in the woods near the soaring oak trees nearby. Naturally they may also enjoy rolling down the hill, old fashioned style.
The Arboretum is a beautiful place to visit regardless of the time of year. Many may be familiar with it thanks to the very visible Idea Garden. It has been vastly improved over the past decade (thanks to generous donations), particularly in terms of accessibility with closer parking and more paved paths. We enjoy the Frank Kari Walkway, a paved loop that is a nice walk even for littles, complete with many benches and ample shade in the summer months. For more info, visit the Arboretum website or see our post.
IF YOU GO:
- The Arboretum and Japan House are located in Urbana off the east side of Lincoln Avenue, just south of Florida Avenue.
- The Arboretum is a public garden open daily, between the hours of sunrise until sunset.
- Parking is available on the street and in two lots, and spots are metered. Meters are not generally enforced after 5 p.m. and on weekends/holidays, but please always read the meter itself.
- Be aware there are no public bathrooms.
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