Incoming hot take!

Yes, yes, Japanese cherry blossoms, known as "sakura," are <insert endless over-the-top superlatives> and all that.

But guess what? You don't have to fly to Japan and mosh pit with Instagram influencers, that guy from Toledo who just got his first "real" camera or lovely but old Japanese people walking too slowly to enjoy them.

Because you can find CHERRY BLOSSOM TREES IN LOTS OF PLACES!

Like Seattle, for instance.

In fact, Seattle has LOADS of lovely cherry trees, and I've got the pictures to prove it!

Yes, I know that seeing the blossoms in places like Kyoto, with gorgeous temples as backdrops, is sublime. And that "hanami," the Japanese word for viewing them, is an art unto itself.

I just don't think people should miss what's in their own backyard just because you can't make it to Tokyo.

(All pictures from last year. Not sure what's happening this year.)