JCCC Sakura Watch

Join us for SakuraFest, which brings the entire JCCC to life with a celebration of spring, creativity, and community! See more details here.
 

About the Sakura trees at the JCCC

Surrounding the JCCC are Sakura trees, also known as cherry trees. They have a very short peak blooming season, which is from late April to early May. Will you have a chance to see the Sakura blossoms this year? It is increasingly common for people in Japan, and nowadays here in Canada, to travel for the sake of viewing the Sakura trees bloom. This is reflective of the Japanese idiom mono no aware; to have a sensitivity towards the ephemeral or impermanent things. It is a special treat to see the pink blossoms of the Sakura tree, even if it is for a short moment.

Please treat our trees with respect!

The cherry blossoms are a beautiful yet fleeting sight and we understand the desire to see them in person and take pictures with the trees. We kindly ask visitors to be respectful of the delicate nature of the trees. 

Please do not pick or remove any blossoms, shake the branches, or climb the trees and stand on their roots, which extend as wide as their branches. Please do not leave any litter behind. 

Please do enjoy the blossoms and take pictures of the beautiful trees without causing harm. Do clean up after yourself to ensure a clean space for the following visitors. 

Your care and respect make it possible for these trees to be enjoyed by all. Thank you for helping keep these blossoms in good condition for years to come! 

Please note that buses are not allowed on JCCC grounds during the cherry blossom season. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

What types or varieties do we have?

We have a few varieties. We have Somei Yoshino (Prunus X Yedoensis), Kanzan (Prunus Serrulata), Itozakura (Prunus 'Snofozam') and Shidare Zakura (Prunus Subhirtella 'Pendula').

How many trees do we have?

With the JCCC now being home to over 100 trees, thanks in part to the generosity of Shiseido, we are planning an extra busy O-Hanami.

How did we acquire them?

In 1959, the Japanese Ambassador to Canada, Toru Hagiwara, presented a gift of 2,000 Sakura trees to the citizens of Toronto on behalf of the citizens of Tokyo as a thank-you gift for Toronto’s support of Japanese Canadians in the aftermath of the Second World War. After the internment camps on the West Coast of Canada closed, Japanese Canadians were forced to the East of the Rocky Mountains with many migrating to Toronto. Since then, over 3,000 more Sakura trees have been gifted to Toronto between the years 2000 and 2012.

In 2022, to celebrate their 150th anniversary, Shiseido Canada donated 150 trees to Japanese Canadian organizations. Many of our youngest trees were part of the 75 that were planted at the JCCC.