Photos by Cheryl Landes

Every year from late March through early April, 100 Akebono cherry trees bloom at the Japanese American Historical Plaza in Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland. A group from the Japanese Grain Importers Association gave the trees to the city in 1990.

This is one of my favorite local walks any time of year, but the beautiful pink and white blossoms are an extra-special treat in the spring.

The plaza is located on Naito Parkway near the Steel Bridge at the site of Portland’s former Japantown. It’s a memorial to the Japanese Americans who were sent to the internment camps by the U.S. government during World War II.

The closest MAX (light rail) station is Old Town-Chinatown. The plaza is a two-block walk southeast of the station.

Enjoy today’s photo stroll through the blossoms!