A Gift of Peace: How Berlin’s Cherry Blossoms Came to Be
In 1990, as the Berlin Wall crumbled and the world watched Germany reunify, not everyone just sat back and watched. Japanese TV station TV-Asahi launched a fundraising campaign called the “Cherry Blossom Initiative”—a symbol of joy, peace, and new beginnings. The result? Over 9,000 Japanese cherry trees were donated to Germany, with many planted right where the Wall once stood or rather in what was known as the death strip!
Berlin’s cherry blossoms are more than beautiful—they’re living symbols of hope, unity, and the healing power of nature. Every spring, they bloom across the city, transforming former border zones into breathtaking pink corridors.
Where to See the Cherry Blossoms in Berlin
With peak bloom expected between April 6 and April 16, 2025, here are the top places to experience the magic—and meaning—of Berlin’s cherry trees.
1. Bornholmer Straße & Bösebrücke – Where It All Began
Why it matters: This is where the first cherry trees were planted—right near the Bösebrücke, one of the first border crossings to open on the night the Wall fell.
What you’ll find: 215 cherry trees bloom along a stunning stretch of the former border between Prenzlauer Berg and Wedding. Locals call it the Sakura Tunnel for good reason—the branches form a pink canopy you can walk under.
Get there: Start at S-Bahn Bornholmer Straße, walk north along the former Wall route.
2. TV-Asahi Kirschblütenallee – Berlin’s Longest Cherry Blossom Avenue
Note: Closed for 2025 due to soil rest & trail renovation.
Why it matters: With over 1,000 cherry trees, this is Berlin and Brandenburg’s longest cherry blossom path. Located between Lichterfelde Süd and Teltow, it was one of the most significant plantings from the TV-Asahi campaign.
Why you can’t go (this year): The area is closed in 2025 for vital regeneration and Mauerweg restoration. But mark it for 2026—it’s an essential hanami experience.
3. Gärten der Welt (Gardens of the World), Marzahn
Why it matters: Home to Berlin’s official Cherry Blossom Festival and a serene Japanese garden with 80 cherry trees.
What you’ll find: Experience hanami the traditional way—walk through a zen garden, sip tea in a Japanese pavilion, and enjoy cultural performances during the annual festival.
Cherry Blossom Festival 2025: Dates TBA (Mid-April expected)
Entry fee required
4. Maybachufer / Landwehrkanal, Kreuzberg-Neukölln
Why it matters: These cherry trees bloom where East once met West—on the border between Neukölln and Treptow, now one of Berlin’s trendiest spring walks.
What you’ll find: A gentle riverside path flanked by flowering trees and lively urban energy. Bring a coffee and join the locals strolling between flea markets and cafés.
Start at Görlitzer Park, cross Lohmühlenbrücke, and walk south toward Maybachufer.
5. Wollankstraße to Bürgerpark Pankow
Why it matters: This lesser-known stretch features another 120 cherry trees and offers a quieter escape from the crowds.
What you’ll find: A peaceful, slightly wild cherry tree path along the railway line from Wollankstraße S-Bahn toward Pankow. End your walk with a picnic at Bürgerpark.
6. Wartenberg Landscape Park, Lichtenberg
Why it matters: This eastern edge of Berlin blooms with around 50 cherry trees, offering one of the calmest hanami experiences in the city.
What you’ll find: Open skies, space to sit, and a slower pace—ideal for families or solo spring explorers.
Take the S-Bahn to Wartenberg and walk toward Hagenower Ring.
Cherry Blossom Festivals to Catch in 2025
Even with closures, Berlin still knows how to celebrate spring. Here’s where to get your hanami fix.
Gärten der Welt Cherry Blossom Festival
- Expected mid-April 2025
- Live music, traditional Japanese dance, food stalls, and vibrant blossoms.
- Location: Marzahn, inside the Gardens of the World.
Bonus: Chinese and Korean gardens also take part in the celebration!
Experience More: Combine History & Blossoms
Looking for the perfect pairing to your blossom adventure?
Birchy’s Berlin Tours offers guided walking tours that trace the same former borders where cherry trees now bloom. Our Cold War & Berlin Wall Tour walks right through cherry-lined paths near Mauerpark—adding rich historical context to the beauty.
