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10 Must-See Sakura Spots
~Tokyo Edition~
Sakura season has come to Tokyo! With mankai or the “peak bloom” predicted for March 29, DiGJAPAN! has put together a list of some of Tokyo’s best sakura spots. Whether you’re looking for a romantic evening strolling in a lit-up garden or preparing for a picnic lunch, you’re sure to find the perfect spot to fit your plans here!
Every year Ueno Park is almost as filled with people as it is cherry trees during sakura season. This is really saying something considering that there are nearly 1,200 someiyoshino and yamazakura cherry trees lining the wide paths. When the wind blows, the pale pink and white petals fall like snow.
Sakura season: Late-March to early-April
Ueno Sakura Matsuri: March 21~April 7, 2019
Access information for Ueno Park
The Chidorigafuchi-Ryokudo walkway is home to some 260 cherry trees mainly of the someiyoshino variety. This gorgeous promenade stretches for 700 meters along the moat located to the west of the Imperial Palace. The sakura are illuminated at dusk during the Sakura Matsuri which is held March 27 thru April 7, 2019. Pro tip: rent a rowboat for a great view of the pale pink blossoms.
Sakura season: Late-March to early-April
Sakura Matsuri: March 27~April 7, 2019 (subject to changes)
Access information for the Chidorigafuchi-Ryokudo Walkway
Chidorigafuchi Boat Arena
Hours during the festival: 9:30am~8:00pm (ticket sales stop at 7:30pm)
Price during the festival: 30 min / 800 yen
Website (Japanese only): http://kanko-chiyoda.jp/tabid/1112/Default.aspx
A popular destination for tourists year round, Shinjuku Gyoen is a must-see spot for sakura. There are approximately 1,100 sakura trees inside the garden representing some 65 species of sakura. You can bring a "leisure sheet" (what blue plastic tarps are called when they're used in lieu of picnic blankets) and enjoy a picnic lunch under your favorite cherry tree.
*Bringing alcohol into the garden and drinking it there is prohibited. Using toys, sports equipment and the like is also prohibited in the garden.
Sakura season: Late-March to late-April
Access information for Shinjuku Gyoen
Looking to escape the crowds? After paying a visit to Meiji Jingu Shrine, head over to the nearby Yoyogi Park for some phenomenal flower viewing. Unlike a lot of the other popular spots for sakura, Yoyogi Park doesn't feel crowded thanks to its sheer size. Relax and enjoy!
Sakura season: Late-March to Late-April
Access information for Yoyogi Park
Every day at Meguro River feels like a festival during sakura season. There are always lively crowds of people, and paper lanterns hanging on either side of the river in front of the trees make for some memorable scenery. Whether you stop by during the day or the evening illuminations, there’s never a bad time to visit.
Sakura season: Late-March to early-April
More information about the Meguro River
Nakameguro Sakura Festival
Date: April 7, 2019
Time: 10am~5pm
Website (Japanese only): http://www.nakamegu.com/nandemo.html
Nakameguro River Light Up
Dates: March 23~April 10, 2019
Time: 5pm~9pm
The sleek, modern buildings of Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi get a springtime makeover when the sakura bloom. This is a particularly great place to go at night when the city lights combine with the sakura for some one-of-a-kind scenery.
Sakura season: Late-March to early-April
Access information for Tokyo Midtown
Sakura Light Up at Tokyo Midtown
Dates: March 15~April 14, 2019
Time: 5pm~11pm
Website (Japanese only): http://www.tokyo-midtown.com/jp/event/blossom/
The already immensely popular Asakusa gets even more attention once the sakura bloom. Of particular note is the Sumida Park, where some 640 sakura bloom along the banks of the Sumida River. You can get a great shot of TOKYO SKYTREE ® framed by sakura. You can also enjoy the scenery (and escape some of the crowds!) on a cruise down the river on a sightseeing boat.
Sakura season: Late-March to early-April
Access information for the Sumida Park
Sumida Park Sakura Festival
Dates: March 16~April 7, 2019
※ Dates may change depending on the conditions of the sakura.
Website (Japanese only): http://www.city.taito.lg.jp/index/event/kanko/sumidasakuramatsuri.html
If you’re looking for spectacular sakura illuminations, then Rikugien is the place for you. Here you’ll find cascades of weeping shidare zakura inside this garden from the Edo Period. The lighting gives the pale pink blossoms a soft golden glow that’s perfect for a romantic evening.
Sakura season: Late-March to early-April
Access information for Rikugien
Rikugien Light Up
Dates: March 21~April 3, 2019
※ During this even period, the park will remain open until 9pm (last entry 8:30pm)
Website (Japanese only): http://teien.tokyo-park.or.jp/contents/info031.html
If you're planning on visiting Tsukiji Market in the spring, pay a visit to the nearby Hamarikyu Gardens on your way back. In addition to sakura, there are also fields of bright yellow na no hana which bloom starting in March. While every year is different, with a little luck you'll be able to see sakura in bloom at the same time!
Sakura season: Early to mid-April
Acces information for Hamarikyu Gardens
Although not part of the 23 wards that make up the metropolis of Tokyo, Kichijoji is incredibly popular for shopping, dining, and the gorgeous Inokashira Park. Rent a boat and row out onto the lake for a view of the sakura that’s downright romantic. The Ghibli Museum is very close to the park, making this a great place to stop afterward.
Sakura season: Late-March to early-April
Access information for Inokashira Park
What did you think of our list? Do you have a spot that you'd like to recommend? Let us know in the comments!
Please be advised that the exact blooming times of sakura are greatly influenced by weather. The blooming seasons listed here are based on predictions and may differ slightly from actual blooming dates.
1. Ueno Park
Every year Ueno Park is almost as filled with people as it is cherry trees during sakura season. This is really saying something considering that there are nearly 1,200 someiyoshino and yamazakura cherry trees lining the wide paths. When the wind blows, the pale pink and white petals fall like snow.
Information
Ueno Park | 上野公園Sakura season: Late-March to early-April
Ueno Sakura Matsuri: March 21~April 7, 2019
Access information for Ueno Park
2. Chidorigafuchi-Ryokudo Walkway
The Chidorigafuchi-Ryokudo walkway is home to some 260 cherry trees mainly of the someiyoshino variety. This gorgeous promenade stretches for 700 meters along the moat located to the west of the Imperial Palace. The sakura are illuminated at dusk during the Sakura Matsuri which is held March 27 thru April 7, 2019. Pro tip: rent a rowboat for a great view of the pale pink blossoms.
Information
Chidorigafuchi-Ryokudo Walkway | 千鳥ヶ淵緑道Sakura season: Late-March to early-April
Sakura Matsuri: March 27~April 7, 2019 (subject to changes)
Access information for the Chidorigafuchi-Ryokudo Walkway
Chidorigafuchi Boat Arena
Hours during the festival: 9:30am~8:00pm (ticket sales stop at 7:30pm)
Price during the festival: 30 min / 800 yen
Website (Japanese only): http://kanko-chiyoda.jp/tabid/1112/Default.aspx
3. Shinjuku Gyoen
A popular destination for tourists year round, Shinjuku Gyoen is a must-see spot for sakura. There are approximately 1,100 sakura trees inside the garden representing some 65 species of sakura. You can bring a "leisure sheet" (what blue plastic tarps are called when they're used in lieu of picnic blankets) and enjoy a picnic lunch under your favorite cherry tree.
*Bringing alcohol into the garden and drinking it there is prohibited. Using toys, sports equipment and the like is also prohibited in the garden.
Information
Shinjuku Gyoen | 新宿御苑Sakura season: Late-March to late-April
Access information for Shinjuku Gyoen
4. Yoyogi Park
Looking to escape the crowds? After paying a visit to Meiji Jingu Shrine, head over to the nearby Yoyogi Park for some phenomenal flower viewing. Unlike a lot of the other popular spots for sakura, Yoyogi Park doesn't feel crowded thanks to its sheer size. Relax and enjoy!
Information
Yoyogi Park | 代々木公園Sakura season: Late-March to Late-April
Access information for Yoyogi Park
5. Meguro River
Every day at Meguro River feels like a festival during sakura season. There are always lively crowds of people, and paper lanterns hanging on either side of the river in front of the trees make for some memorable scenery. Whether you stop by during the day or the evening illuminations, there’s never a bad time to visit.
Information
Meguro River | 目黒川Sakura season: Late-March to early-April
More information about the Meguro River
Nakameguro Sakura Festival
Date: April 7, 2019
Time: 10am~5pm
Website (Japanese only): http://www.nakamegu.com/nandemo.html
Nakameguro River Light Up
Dates: March 23~April 10, 2019
Time: 5pm~9pm
6. Tokyo Midtown
The sleek, modern buildings of Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi get a springtime makeover when the sakura bloom. This is a particularly great place to go at night when the city lights combine with the sakura for some one-of-a-kind scenery.
Information
Tokyo Midtown | 東京ミッドタウンSakura season: Late-March to early-April
Access information for Tokyo Midtown
Sakura Light Up at Tokyo Midtown
Dates: March 15~April 14, 2019
Time: 5pm~11pm
Website (Japanese only): http://www.tokyo-midtown.com/jp/event/blossom/
7. Sumida Park (Sumida-ku Side)
The already immensely popular Asakusa gets even more attention once the sakura bloom. Of particular note is the Sumida Park, where some 640 sakura bloom along the banks of the Sumida River. You can get a great shot of TOKYO SKYTREE ® framed by sakura. You can also enjoy the scenery (and escape some of the crowds!) on a cruise down the river on a sightseeing boat.
Information
Sumida Park (Sumida-ku Side) | 隅田川（墨田区側）Sakura season: Late-March to early-April
Access information for the Sumida Park
Sumida Park Sakura Festival
Dates: March 16~April 7, 2019
※ Dates may change depending on the conditions of the sakura.
Website (Japanese only): http://www.city.taito.lg.jp/index/event/kanko/sumidasakuramatsuri.html
8. Rikugien
If you’re looking for spectacular sakura illuminations, then Rikugien is the place for you. Here you’ll find cascades of weeping shidare zakura inside this garden from the Edo Period. The lighting gives the pale pink blossoms a soft golden glow that’s perfect for a romantic evening.
Information
Rikugien | 六義園Sakura season: Late-March to early-April
Access information for Rikugien
Rikugien Light Up
Dates: March 21~April 3, 2019
※ During this even period, the park will remain open until 9pm (last entry 8:30pm)
Website (Japanese only): http://teien.tokyo-park.or.jp/contents/info031.html
9. Hamarikyu Gardens
If you're planning on visiting Tsukiji Market in the spring, pay a visit to the nearby Hamarikyu Gardens on your way back. In addition to sakura, there are also fields of bright yellow na no hana which bloom starting in March. While every year is different, with a little luck you'll be able to see sakura in bloom at the same time!
Information
Hamarikyu Gardens | 浜離宮恩賜庭園Sakura season: Early to mid-April
Acces information for Hamarikyu Gardens
10. Inokashira Park
Although not part of the 23 wards that make up the metropolis of Tokyo, Kichijoji is incredibly popular for shopping, dining, and the gorgeous Inokashira Park. Rent a boat and row out onto the lake for a view of the sakura that’s downright romantic. The Ghibli Museum is very close to the park, making this a great place to stop afterward.
Information
Inokashira Park | 井の頭公園Sakura season: Late-March to early-April
Access information for Inokashira Park
What did you think of our list? Do you have a spot that you'd like to recommend? Let us know in the comments!
Please be advised that the exact blooming times of sakura are greatly influenced by weather. The blooming seasons listed here are based on predictions and may differ slightly from actual blooming dates.
Map of the Places From This Article
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THIS ARTICLE IS BASED ON INFORMATION FROM 01 26,2016 Author：Rachael Ragalye
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