It took 12 years, but a gift from Japan has finally arrived in Cincinnati

The city of Adachi, Japan, gifted Cincinnati 10 cherry blossom trees in 2010. The trees, sent during the 2010 "Butterflies of Japan" show at Krohn Conservatory, were a sign of sign of friendship between the two countries. Some 12 years later, the first two trees have finally arrived.

"We would like to thank everyone who worked on quarantine process and raising of graft branches we sent for such a long time, especially under difficult situation of corona pandemic," writes Adachi Mayor Yayoi Kondo in a release. "We hope that these cherry trees will bloom many flowers and help Cincinnatians have glimpse of Japanese Spring."

Andrea Schepmann, Krohn's former general manager explains, "In preparing for the 2010 'Butterflies of Japan' event at Krohn, I was extremely fortunate to meet many amazing partners in Japan who provided unique butterflies for the display, insects such as singing crickets and giant beetles, cultural display items, and these amazing the cherry trees. Our partners from Japan shared so many of their traditions and ideas for infusing the show with cultural accurateness."