The fact that there is no hard date for the blooms makes planning your trip in advance very difficult. I’ve known many people who had hopes of seeing the precious petals who missed out by only a few days. Luckily, Tokyo is such a fantastic place that you really don’t feel down for too long. But, if you’ve arrived in time, then there are some absolutely magical places you MUST try to visit. Do all you can to take in all this short-lived season has to offer. Here are my favourite places to see the Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo!

Table Of Contents

1. Shinjuku Gyoen
2. Ueno Park
3. Chidorigafuchi Moat
4. Yoyogi Park
5. Inokashira Park
6. Koganei Park
7. Asukayama Park
8. Aoyama Cemetery
9. Sumida Park
10. Shiba Park
11. Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens
12. Rikugien Gardens
13. Yasukuni Shrine
14. Meguro River

Shinjuku Gyoen

I have an entire post dedicated to the wonder that is Shinjuku Gyoen. This incredible urban oasis located just 10 minutes from one of Tokyo’s busiest neighbourhoods. It is a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle. Unlike some of the other parks on this list, this park does require an admission fee of 500 yen. But seeing as it isn’t free, this means it will be slightly less crowded than the free parks. The park is also enormous. There are plenty of spots to spread out and have a hanami party. The park is also home to three different varieties of sakura trees. Each species blooms at different times in the spring. This means that if you arrive slightly too early or slightly too late, there might still be a few trees here that are blooming!

Ueno Park

Ueno Park is probably the most famous spot for cherry blossom park in all of Tokyo. Since the 16th century, people have been making a pilgrimage to Ueno to soak in the glory of the sakura. This enormous park is home to 800 cherry trees spread over 53 hectares of green space. This makes it an ideal place to set up your hanami party. But even with all that space, this park gets BUSY! If you want to ensure you get a spot on the grass, arrive as early as possible and avoid the weekends. On the plus side, Ueno Park is free to enter.

The park is famous for having some of the best onsite food stalls to delight your taste buds. A fantastic way to taste popular seasonal treats while sitting under the petals. Shinobazu Pond on the south-west end of the park is home to the iconic swan boats. You can rent one of these boats and peddle along the perimeter of the pond. This area is dotted with trees like a colourful pink ring encircling the water. And honestly, who can resist these adorable little paddle boats?

Chidorigafuchi Moat

Chidorigafuchi Moat is the image you might have in your mind who you picture sakura season in Tokyo. This is because this landscape often graces the cover of many a travel guide. It is such an impressive sight that it has become one of the most outsourced images of Japan.

The moat was initially designed to protect the internal grounds of the Imperial Palace during the Edo period. 1,000 cherry trees surround the canal. The branches seem to lean towards the water as if going to get a drink. The sakura trees along the moat are the earliest to bloom in the spring. And the delicate blossoms only open for only a short time. Catching them while they decorate the water is an exceptional sight to see. This area is so popular that it is even illuminated at night. This ensures people can enjoy the blooms no matter what time of day it is. Especially handy for workers who might not be able to see them during their busy day.

The Chidorigafuchi Moat offers another opportunity for getting out onto the water. You can rent rowboats for 700 yen and get a picture of the “sakura tunnel” from below.

Yoyogi Park

Located in the neighbourhood of Shibuy ais Yoyogi Park. Yoyogi Park is one of the largest parks in the city and home to those almost white-hued cherry blossom trees. This park is famous for the large groups it hosts. It isn’t as romantic as some of the other parks and has a more gregarious, party-type atmosphere. If this is your jam, then head over to the park and make some new friends. If you have a bottle of sake in your hand, this is sure way to win anyone over.

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Inokashira Park

It is essential to consider heading a little outside of Tokyo’s city center during cherry blossom season. The further away from the most touristy areas, the better chance you’ll have of having more space to yourself. One of my favourite neighbourhoods in Tokyo is Kichijoji. Inokashira Park is a gorgeous place to visit while you’re there to enjoy the cherry blossoms.

If you found the line for the boats at Chidorigafuchi too long, you can also rent one here. Take one of their colourful rowboats out on the water and paddle along the picturesque pond. From here you have such a beautiful view of the cherry trees. There are over 500 sakura trees spread throughout the large park, so it’s easy to walk around and find someplace a little less crowded than in the city center.

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Koganei Park

Further west of Kichijoji is Koganei Park. This park is about an hour outside the city but well worth the journey. Koganei Park is home to Tokyo’s most extensive collection of cherry trees! There are over 1,700 sakura trees and over a dozen different varieties as well! On the first weekend in April, a huge festival is held here. At the festival, you can enjoy traditional street food as well as traditional customary dancing and musical performances.

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Asukayama Park

Asukayama Park, located on the northern tip of Tokyo, and is a real hidden gem. The further you get away from the city, the more tourists you escape. Plus this area feels most local and less geared towards just tourists. The park here is notable for the colourful lanterns that hang in the trees, which perfectly match the pale pink sakura blossoms.

The center of the park is one of the most unique playgrounds I had ever seen! There was a train yard with old trains on display and a massive play castle in the center. All surrounded by those iconic blossoms. When you head out of the park, back to the city, see if the monorail is running. This track runs above the park and is one of the rarest opportunities to see the cherry trees from above.

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Aoyama Cemetery

While suggesting a cemetery to view beautiful cherry trees might seem like an odd combo to some, I find the mixture of death and beauty to be one of the most potent combinations. Located in Tokyo’s Minato Ward, this cemetery has lovely paved walkways lined in hundreds of sakura trees. Creating this blanket of flowers above your head. There is no picnicking or drinking is allowed here. Instead, let this place be an opportunity for a solemn walk of contemplation. Life is short, just like the bloom of the sakura. Live your life to the fullest while you can. And hope that you will have a resting place as beautiful as this, under the sakura trees, when the end finally comes your way.

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Sumida Park

In the heart of Asakusa, you’ll find the riverside Sumida Park. Located just off the banks of the Sumida river. From the park’s western side, you can get a shot of the iconic Tokyo Skytree, with a layer of sakura flowers flanked in front.

Since the area of picnicking here is relatively sparse it’s not the best option for a hanami party. And due to the location and popularity, it can get very crowded! My advice: plan to come here for a short photo opportunity and then head off to another location for a longer stay or picnic.

Shiba Park

South of Tokyo Skytee is his rival, Tokyo Tower. And surrounding the tower, you’ll find Shiba Park. Although it’s only home to around 200 cherry trees, the fact you can get a picture with the brightly blossoms in front of the Tokyo Tower’s neon orange structure is a fantastic photo opportunity. This park is actually really interesting and easy to explore. There are so many little treasures hidden in this small space.

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Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens

I am in love with the layout and landscaping of Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens. Like Shinjuku Gyoen, this park also requires an admission fee to enter. But just look what you get to experience for only 300 yen! The gardens were created in 1629, making it one of Tokyo’s oldest parks. One of the best parts of the natural playground is the many ponds dotted throughout. Each one creating a mirrored effect, reflecting the image of the cherry trees down, doubling their blossoms. No picnics are allowed in this park, which is the only real downside. But there are several tea houses in the park which offer macha tea and sweets to enjoy. All while under the watchful eye of the sakura trees.

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Rikugien Gardens

While Rikugien Gardens isn’t known for its sheer number of cherry trees, the one they do have is creature unlike any other. The 18th century Rikugien Gardens became home to the “weeping cherry blossom tree.” this famous plant grew to be over 20 meters wide and 15 meters tall! When it blooms, it looks like a waterfall of flowers cascading to the ground. At night it is illuminated, making the effect all the most impressive. The cost to enter the park is 300 yen and you’ll find it is more than worth the price!

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Yasukuni Shrine

Tucked away, on the edge of the Chiyoda neighbourhood, is the Yasukuni Shrine. The shrine was founded by Emperor Meiji in June 1869. It commemorated those who died in service of Japan in various wars throughout history. There are over 2,466,532 names listed on the shrine to whom it is dedicated. What is usually a reasonably sombre place but a rush of excitement and chatter flood the space come cherry blossom season.

A grouping of trees outside of the shrine light up the street. Vendors from the neighbourhood come down to feed the revellers. The bright white blossoms against the shrine’s copper roof and dark wood exterior make for the most complimentary combination and something not to be missed.

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Meguro River

Last, but certainly not least, is the Meguro River. This is maybe the most popular spot for taking photos of the iconic sakura trees. 800 cherry trees blossom along the edge of the river, a stretch of over 3 kilometres. One of the reasons I put this last is that although this place makes for a great photo, the areas on either side of the river are very narrow. It gets super crowded in the spring. And even though the area’s restaurants capitalize on the influx of people and set up food and drink stands, there really isn’t anywhere to easily enjoy eating anything. I think this place is a pop-in and pop-out type of stop and not one to plan your hanami around.

I’ve outline all the locations from this list in the map below so feel free to add these spots to your Springtime Tokyo travel plans. I really hope the blooms manage to coincide with your trip as catching them even for a moment is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post The 14 Best Scenic Spots to see Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

When we were visiting Tokyo during Cherry Blossom season, we had heard that this park was one of the best places to come to enjoy the last of the season. The sakura had bloomed early this year, and we were hoping we might be in luck to find some trees with a few petals still clinging to the buds when we arrived. Lucky for us the park is home to a variety of different sakura trees which are known to bloom throughout the spring.

Table Of Contents

1. Access
2. Hours and Admission
3. Accessibility
4. History
5. Design of the Gardens
6. French Formal Gardens
7. English Landscape Garden
8. Variety of Sakura Trees
9. Shinjuku Gyoen Throughout the Seasons
10. Greenhouse
11. Where to Eat?
12. Rakuu-tei

Access

The garden has three separate entrances around the park to make it easy to enter from various parts of the city. The largest gate (Shinjuku Gate) is located 10-minutes from the Shinjuku JR station or five minutes from Shinjukugyoenmae Station. The Okido Gate, is located farther east on the north side five minutes from Shinjukugyoenmae Station. There is one last gate (Sendagaya Gate) located on the south side. This gate is accessible from the nearby JR Sendagaya Station.

Hours and Admission

To enter this park, you do need to pay an admission fee. This means the park is much less crowded. Admission costs 500 yen. The gardens are open from 7:00 am if you come in from the Shinjuku Gate. The other two gates only allow access starting at 9:00 am. The park closes at 4:30 pm, with the last admission at 4:00 pm. The park is closed on Mondays for maintenance. During cherry blossom season and chrysanthemum festivals, the gardens remain open 7 days a week due to the overwhelming popularity.

Accessibility

If you require accessible access, exit through Shinjuku Station or Shinjukusanchome Station. These stations do not require walking up to any stairs or escalators. From there, head over to the Shinjuku Gate. Once you pass through the admission gate, you will be provided with a map in the language of your choice. The map is wonderfully clear in identifying wheelchair-friendly areas. Great effort was taken in ensuring the part is friendly for those with disabilities. There are various washrooms in the park which are accessible. The map also points out pathways which are easier to traverse in a wheelchair or any areas of difficult terrains (such as gravel or steeper slopes).

History

Initially, the park wasn’t owned by the city; it was private property. The shōgun bequeathed the land to Lord Naitō, who built a grand garden onto his palace in 1772. Over the years, the gardens passed hands, down from a private residence to an agriculture centre to a public botanical garden in 1879. The garden’s original layout was destroyed during the air raids of WWII. After the war, much effort was taken to restore and rebuilt the park back to its original design.

Design of the Gardens

The Shinjuku Gyoen garden is spread over 58.3 hectares! The gardens were designed in three distinct styles: French formal, English landscape and Japanese traditional. The Japanese Garden is decorated with a series of large reflecting ponds. Connecting the different areas of the garden across the pond are various large stones, gravel pathways and an iconic Japanese bridge.

You’ll find a large structure called the Kyu-Goryotei or the “old palace” in the center of the Japanese garden. This building is, oddly enough, designed in Chinese-style. This is because it was donated by the Japanese residents of Taiwan for the imperial wedding celebrations. Today, it a favourite place for photographs as you look out at the beautiful pond on the other side.

Take a closer look at the pond and see if you can spot some of the carp which are stocked in the water. Carp symbolizes the Japanese fighting spirit due to their hardy nature. You can also see if you can see any of the many turtles, sunbathing on the rocks around the pond.

French Formal Gardens

The Formal French Gardens are dominated by perfect beds of roses surrounded by the Avenue of Sycamore trees. Sycamore trees are native to central, eastern and southern Europe, having been introduced by the Romans. There are eight hundred feet of roses with varieties all originating outside of Japan.

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English Landscape Garden

The English Landscape Garden features this large open lawn surrounded by cherry blossom trees. This area is a favourite for children to run freely and play on the manicured grass.

There are over 20,000 trees to be found inside the park. You can spot tall Himalayan cedars, tulip trees, cypresses, as well as a stock of 1,700 tropical pants inside the greenhouse. Of the 20,000 trees found here, 1,500 of which are Japanese cherry blossom trees.

Variety of Sakura Trees

What makes this park a little different is that there are different varieties of cherry blossom trees. Some areas only have one kind which means there is only one opportunity to see the flowers. Having different species means the trees bloom at different times of the year. This ensures that people can enjoy the season in the park for a more extended period.

Weeping Cherry Tree

The Weeping Cherry tree is the first to bloom in early March. By far, these trees are the most dramatic. Their flowers delicately covering the long tendrils, reaching towards the the ground. 

Somei Cherry Trees

Then there are the Tokyo Cherry or Somei trees. These are most commonly found in Tokyo prefecture and start blooming in early April. This is the most popular species you’ll find all over the city. The variety has only five petals and is pale pink in colour. From afar these flowers almost appear to be white.

Kanzan Cherry Trees

The final kind of tree found in the park is the Kanzan Cherry trees. These are the last to bloom in late April. These are my favourite variety. They are known for their “double blossom.” There are as many as 50 petals on each of these flowers. They are a deep pink colour and have the most fantastic contrast against the bright blue sky. 

Shinjuku Gyoen Throughout the Seasons

Springtime

Springtime is the most popular time to visit the park as this is when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Since the park is so large though even at the busiest times, you never feel too overwhelmed. Bring your picnic blankets and relax here under the precious petals.

Summer

In the summertime, the garden blooms with hydrangeas, one of the most popular seasonal flowers. Also in the summertime, you can wander around the French garden which is covered in an efflorescence of blooming roses!

Fall

Outside of Sakura season, the most popular time to visit is during the park is during the chrysanthemum festival. This festival has been running since 1929 and is a very popular event for the locals. The festival usually runs for two weeks beginning in November, but it depends on the flowers’ blossoming time.

In the Autumn, all the trees change colour and create a magical sunset-toned wave across the sky. The most beautiful of which is the maple trees which have been planted here, which turn a deep autumnal red. The contrast of the red against the rest of the green tree is truly stunning.

Winter

Even in the wintertime, there are plenty of flowers to see. The camellia and the white narcissus are blooming in December and January. And in February, you’ll find the Japanese apricot and witch hazel trees abloom.

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Greenhouse

Right beside the Ookido Gate, you’ll find the large greenhouse. This greenhouse is home to many different tropical plants which bloom all year round. So even if there isn’t anything budding outside, you can always find something to look at in here. The interior feels like a jungle, with wild plants growing up to the ceiling and their leaves hanging down around you. The greenhouse is divided into different regional plants, so you can travel around the world in this one little building.

Where to Eat?

While there are some lovely restaurants in the surrounding area, the best thing to do inside the park brings a picnic! During cherry blossom season, this is called having a “hanami party” or sakura watching party. But it doesn’t need to be springtime to have a picnic. Just head down to your local konbini to pick up a variety of foods, ready to eat, and layout on a blanket to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. Remember, there is no drinking or bringing in alcohol into this park.

Rakuu-tei

If you haven’t brought any food with you, there are a few different rest houses and cafes dotted throughout the park. These are not always open, so be sure to check with the gate attendant to see which ones are serving customers. The Rakuu-tei (tea house) is a great place to have a cup of traditional macha inside a traditional tea room. This building is located beside the old plum trees in the Japanese garden. Here you can take a moment of relaxation as you enjoy a spot of tea with a seasonal Japanese sweets. The drink set will cost 700 yen, which is steep, but it’s all about the experience. If you’ve never had a tea set inside a garden-side tea room before this is your chance!

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Shinjuku Gyoen is the perfect place to escape to if you feel like the crowded and busy nature of the city is getting to you. Shinjuku is one of the most populated parts of the city and the fact this peaceful oasis is hidden in the middle of it is fantastic. Be sure to pay this place a visit to find a moment of zen in your busy travel schedule.

Happy Travels, Adventurers

The post Discover Tokyo’s Beautiful Shinjuku Gyoen: A Relaxing Urban Oasis first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.