Tokyo is Japan’s capital, most populated metropolis, and also boasts more cherry blossom-viewing
hotspots than anywhere else in the country.
Nestled amid its giant buildings and winding expressways are a plethora of parks, gardens,
tree-lined lanes and riverbanks that offer some of the best sakura experiences in all Japan.
Visitors from around the world flock to Tokyo each spring to take in the beautiful blossoms.
In the average year, the peak of sakura season occurs during one week in early April.
However depending on temperatures in the preceding weeks, the peak can start in late March or
last into mid April.
It is also worth mentioning that due to the variety of cherry trees found throughout the
city, even if you are visiting a few weeks on either side of this zone, you should still
be able to find a few blossoms.
With so many spots to choose from, we thought we’d make planning your perfect, petal-filled
trip a little easier by giving a quick rundown of our Top 10 cherry blossom locations in Tokyo.
Number 10: Koishikawa Botanical Garden
Belonging to the prestigious Tokyo University,
Koishikawa Botanical Garden is home to thousands of varieties of trees and plants as well as
a beautiful landscape garden.
During spring it doesn't get as crowded as other popular sakura spots around the city,
making for a pleasant atmosphere for visitors to enjoy the blossoms.
Numer 9: The Meguro River
The Meguro River is an attractive canal lined
with hundreds of cherry trees and a plethora of shops and cafes in one of the capital’s
hippest neighborhoods.
During peak season, the many bridges which span the waterway provide picturesque views
of the river crowded by pink petals so don’t forget to bring your camera.
Number 8: Koishikawa Korakuen
Among Tokyo’s prettiest traditional gardens,
Koishikawa Korakuen is particularly famous for its weeping cherry trees, which take center
stage in spring among the park’s many other picturesque features.
Number 7: Asukayama Park
This hilltop park in the north of the city
has been popular as an atmospheric hanami spot since the Edo Period and still attracts
a large number of cherry blossom lovers of all ages even now.
Number 6: Yoyogi Park
One of the city’s more well-known parks.
Yoyogi sits across the street from the stylish Harajuku neighborhood and directly next to
the famous Meiji Shrine.
This expansive park is a hotspot for hanami parties, having enough space for a lively
atmosphere to prevail here throughout the season.
Number 5: Showa Kinenkoen
With over a thousand trees, this huge, family-friendly
park is located 30 minutes west of Tokyo.
The abundant blossoms here typically bloom a few days later than those in central Tokyo,
making the park popular with those who missed hanami downtown.
Aside from the cherry blossoms, the park also boasts other beautiful flowers and a variety
of facilities and amenities.
Number 4: Sumida Park
During spring the walking paths along the
shores of this picturesque river become lined with pink petals.
Located only a short walk from the famous Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Sumida park is
an ideal place for visitors to take in views of the iconic Tokyo Skytree framed by cherry blossoms.
Number 3: Chidorigafuchi
One of the most photogenic sakura spots in
the city, Chidorigafuchi consists of a path alongside the sakura-lined moat of former
Edo Castle just west of the Imperial Palace.
For a fee, visitors can even rent a rowboat to paddle around in the old moat.
This atmospheric area makes for a charming petal-filled stroll both during the day, and
also in the evening during nightly illuminations..
Lastly, the nearby Yasukuni Shrine is home to hundreds more cherry trees, including Tokyo’s
representative tree, which the meteorological agency uses to determine the state of the
sakura season for the entire city.
Number 2: Ueno Park
Ueno Park is the most renowned party spot
in all of Tokyo during sakura season, and is a true hanami haven packed with vistiors
enjoying the festivities both in the upper section where the wide central walking path
is located and also around Shinobazu Pond in the lower section.
The park’s paths are lined with hundreds of cherry trees, and it’s recommended to
get here early if you intend to get a place under one.
Number1: Shinjuku Gyoen
This large, family-friendly park stands as
a natural oasis in one of Tokyo’s busiest districts.
This peaceful park boasts over one thousand cherry trees which span a range of species
and bloom at different times during the season, making Shinjuku Gyoen a great place to visit
for blossom enthusiasts who are in town a little before or after peak season.
One point to be aware of is that the park doesn’t allow alcohol inside and so is not
a good option for visitors intent on enjoying their hanami with some drinks.
Nevertheless, with so many beautiful scenes and sakura viewing opportunities throughout
its vast and varied grounds, Shinjuku Gyoen takes the cake as our number one sakura location
in all of Tokyo.
So there you have it, our top ten cherry blossom spots in Tokyo.
Hopefully this video helps you to plan your perfect petal-filled trip.
More in-depth information on the cherry blossoms can be found in the dedicated section of our website
including this year’s forecast, lists of the best sakura spots, tree varieties, and during sakura season,
daily cherry blossom reports from around the country.
For more information or to watch another video, click the links on the screen below now
or head to japan-guide.com, your comprehensive up-to-date travel guide first hand from Japan.
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