This park near Toronto is a cherry blossom oasis with Japanese bridges and dreamy pink blooms
It's like a mini trip to Japan.
A park near Toronto.
You'll be whisked away to Japan as soon as you step foot in this breathtaking cherry blossom park near Toronto. With petal-filled trails and dreamy gardens, it's a stunning destination to visit this spring.
You can wander through endless cotton candy-coloured blooms and gaze around at the Japanese buildings that will transport you to Northeast Asia.
Kariya Park is a secret cherry blossom dreamland nestled in the City of Mississauga, about 30 minutes from downtown Toronto.
The park is home to Japanese architecture, a Zen Garden and about 80 beautiful cherry blossom trees in different varieties and colours.
According to Visit Mississauga, the park is named after Mississauga's sister city, Kariya, Japan, and is "centred around serenity and natural beauty, designed to authentically capture the essence of Japan."
You can wander along the park's winding trails and discover Japanese buildings and bridges, such as the traditional Japanese pavilion and the whimsical bridge over a pond.
One of the park's standout features is the Friendship Bell, a gift from Kariya, complete with carved iris flowers.
You can also stroll through the Zen Garden, a meditative space that is centred on peace and calm.
The best time to see cherry blossoms varies yearly, depending on the weather, but peak bloom typically occurs around late April or early May.
The cherry blossom trees in Toronto are just starting to bud, so it's too early to make any predictions.
With canopies of beautiful blossoms and Japanese vibes, this beautiful park is worth a visit during cherry blossom season.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.