Lights, camera, cherry blossoms!

Get your selfie to a scene straight out of a dream – where cotton candy-colored trees glow at night and the soft melody of the Koto blends with a chorus of frogs.

“It’s serene, and the trees are very beautiful,” says Saren, a visitor from La Center, Wash., recently returned from Japan.

We’re fortunate to experience the Yozakura Cherry Blossom Festival at the Gresham Japanese Garden’s Ebetsu Plaza in Main City Park.

A cherished Japanese tradition

In Japan, viewing cherry blossoms at night is called yozakura.

“It’s lovely – it reminds me of the cherry blossom festivals in Japan,” says Mike from Portland. “I lived in Japan and it’s a big deal over there. We went to the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival.”

The scent of cherry blossoms

Everyone takes at least one big sniff of the Akebono cherry tree blossoms when visiting. They are delicate and irresistible.

“It’s very light and sweet,” says Jeremiah, from Portland, a student learning the Koto with Oregon Koto-Kai.

“It’s demure,” adds Mike.

A cultural connection

This enchanting event offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Japanese culture.

“It’s very calming, and I love interacting with the community,” says Katherine from Gresham.

Under a glowing canopy of pink-and-white cherry blossoms, nearly blocking out the night sky, attendees share their love for Japanese traditions. They swap stories about trips to Japan, forming connections through shared experiences.

It feels both otherworldly and like home.

Meet the stars of the show

“The two most common questions we get about the cherry trees are: How many are there? And how long have they been here?” says Jim Card, Garden Director.

The Gresham Japanese Garden maintains 12 mature Akebono cherry trees in Ebetsu Plaza and Ambleside Annex.

The first was planted in 2017 by former Mayor Shane Bemis and Mayor Noboru Miyoshi of Ebetsu, Japan, to commemorate 40 years of Sister City friendship.

“The first tree was only an inch and a quarter in diameter,” Jim recalls.

In 2018, the remaining cherry trees were planted as Ebetsu Plaza took shape. They’ve grown up together.

These lovely Akebono trees were grown locally by J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.

Experience the magic of Yozakura

The trees are  illuminated every night from March 22 through April 5 from 7:00 to 11 pm. Cherry blossoms are beautiful for about two weeks.

Oregon Koto-Kai will perform next on Saturday, April 5, at 7:45 and 8:30 pm.

Learn more about the Yazakura Cherry Blossom Festival.