April and May are some of the most beautiful months in Lithuania. When the trees and flowers start to bloom, families rush outside to enjoy the good weather and the nature that is recovering from winter. Many Lithuanians already have a tradition of visiting the sakura trees, which have become so popular in Lithuania. So for those looking for somewhere nearby to visit, we’ve prepared a list of Sakura parks in Lithuania.
Sakura parks in Lithuania are a trend that has spread very quickly. Lithuanians are very fond of sakura, so sakura gardens, alleys and parks are visited by many people every year, and the larger ones are also visited by tourists from abroad. Did you know that there are now sakura parks in every county of Lithuania?
Sakuras in Lithuania
Sakura parks in Lithuania – list by county
Vilnius County
- “C. Sugihara” sakura park at the White Bridge, Vilnius
- Japanese Garden (new site, opened in 2023), Vilnius
- Vilnius University Botanical Garden, Vingis section, Vilnius
- Near MRU University, Didlaukio Street, Vilnius
- Youth Sakura Park, Elektrenai
Sakura parks in Lithuania.”Č. Sugihara” sakura park at the White Bridge, Vilnius
“Č. Sugihara” sakura park at the White Bridge, Vilnius
Kaunas County
- Nemunas island, Kaunas
- Near C. Sugihara’s House Museum in J. Tumo- Vaizganto Street, Kaunas
- On the shore of the Nemunas River, Prienai
- Japanese Garden, Prienai
- Maironio Park, Raseiniai
- Memory Square, Kedainiai
Sakuras in Lithuania
Sakuras in Lithuania
Sakuras on the island of Nemunas in Kaunas
Sakuras on the island of Nemunas in Kaunas
Klaipeda County
- Sakura Park at the Fishermen’s Palace (new location, opened in 2023), Klaipeda
- On the banks of the river Dane, Klaipeda
- Sakura Alley in the Debercen residential area, Klaipeda
- Japanese Garden, Kretinga district
- Sakura Park, Skuodas
Marijampole County
- Sakura Park near the gymnasium, Kalvarija
- Cat yard, Marijampole
- Town park, Sunskai
Sakura parks in Lithuania. Marijampolė Cat yard
Siauliai County
- In Song Park, Šiauliai
- At the Frenkel sculpture, Šiauliai
- Botanical Garden, Šiauliai
- City Park, Sakura Garden, Pakruojis
Telšiai County
- Sedos 53, near NORFA shopping centre, Mažeikiai
Panevėžys County
- Culture and Recreation Park, Panevėžys
- Senvagė (left bank of the Nevėžis), Panevėžys
Utena County
- Traupis Botanical Garden, Anykščiai
- Sakura Park, near the school, Kurkliai
- near St. George’s Church, Vyžuonos
Sakura parks in Lithuania
Tauragė County
- In an alley near the district hospital, Šilalė
Alytus County
- Sakura Avenue, Žalioji street, Alytus
- Vijūnėlė Park, Druskininkai
Sakuras Avenue, Žalioji Street, Alytus
Sakuras in Japan
Sakura is not just a tree in Japan. Over the years, described in literature, passed down in stories and painted on canvas, sakura has become an important part of culture and a symbol representing the country. For the Japanese, the sakura is a symbol and metaphor for life, because human life, like this tree, has a very beautiful but very short life span. The sakura is therefore a reminder to cherish and enjoy life, because it is fragile and ends quickly.
Also in Japan, the tradition of ‘hanami’, the observation of the blossoms of these trees, is very popular. During this tradition, people gather under the trees, have picnics and admire the pink blossoms. Sakura blossoms are very short-lived (one to two weeks). Therefore, every year the Japanese Meteorological Centre informs the population of the exact days on which the tree is expected to bloom.
There are more than 200 different species of sakura in Japan, with flowers that are not only pink but also white and yellow. The shape of the leaves also varies between species. The most popular species is ‘Somei Yoshino’, with as many as 4/5 of all sakuras in Japan being of this species. “Gyoiko’ is a distinctive species with yellow flowers. Yama Zakura, Yae Zakura and Shidare Zakura are also popular in the country.
Sakuras in Lithuania
The first sakuras in Lithuania started blooming in 1997 in Vilnius. Just four years later, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Chiyune Sugihara, a diplomat who came to Lithuania from Japan, an avenue of 200 sakura trees were planted in Lithuania. And in April 2003, a park of 100 sakura trees was also planted in Kaunas. People liked the sakura donated by the Japanese government so much that they are now planted in almost every city. And Lithuanians, who have adopted the hanami tradition, look forward to the blossoming of these beautiful trees every year.
