Philadelphia Celebrates 250 Years with 250 Cherry Blossom Trees

Japan America Society and Philadelphia Insurance Companies complete 3-year planting initiative to honor historic gift from Japan

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:33pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic cherry blossom flower repeated in a tight grid pattern, utilizing flat, vibrant, and unnatural neon color palettes overlapping with heavy black photographic outlines to turn the natural beauty of the cherry blossom into modern pop art.Vibrant cherry blossoms bloom across Philadelphia, symbolizing a century of friendship between the United States and Japan.Philadelphia Today

The Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP) and Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) have completed a three-year project to plant 250 cherry blossom trees in Philadelphia to commemorate America's 250th anniversary and a historic 1926 gift of 1,600 trees from the government of Japan.

Why it matters

The cherry blossom trees represent a century-old cultural exchange between the U.S. and Japan, and the new plantings will continue to beautify Philadelphia's public spaces for decades to come. The public-private partnership between JASGP and PHLY demonstrates how businesses can support meaningful community initiatives.

The details

The PHLY250Sakura initiative was funded by a $135,000 grant from PHLY to JASGP. PHLY employees volunteered 200 hours to plant the trees alongside partners from the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department. The final trees were planted during a celebratory event in Fairmount Park, recreating a 1926 photo commemorating the original gift from Japan.

  • The project began in 2024 and was completed in 2026 to coincide with America's 250th anniversary.
  • In 1926, the government of Japan gifted 1,600 flowering trees, including cherry blossoms, to the City of Philadelphia.

The players

Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia

A private nonprofit organization that has inspired mutual understanding between Japan and Philadelphia through art, business, and culture for over 30 years.

Philadelphia Insurance Companies

A member of the Tokio Marine Group, one of the largest insurance groups in the world, that provided a $135,000 grant to fund the tree planting initiative.

Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department

Partnered with JASGP and PHLY to support the planting of the 250 cherry blossom trees.

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What they’re saying

“In 1926, the Government of Japan gifted 1,600 flowering trees, including cherry blossom trees, to the City of Philadelphia in honor of the sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary of American independence.”

— Kazumi Teune, Executive Director of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia

“PHLY250Sakura represents a true public-private-non-profit partnership, delivering real results today and opening the door to future opportunities. We are driven to continue working with our partners on this project and others, to support the cultural and business connection between Japan, the city of Philadelphia, state of Pennsylvania, and the United States.”

— John Glomb, President and Chief Executive Officer of Philadelphia Insurance Companies

What’s next

The Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia plans to continue its legacy of planting cherry blossom trees in Philadelphia, building on the success of the PHLY250Sakura initiative.

The takeaway

The planting of 250 cherry blossom trees in Philadelphia is a testament to the enduring cultural exchange between the United States and Japan, and demonstrates how public-private partnerships can create lasting community benefits.