Do you know the cherry blossom variety called "double cherry blossom"?

Compared to the more commonly known "Somei Yoshino" variety of cherry blossoms, double-flowered cherry blossoms have more petals and look more spectacular, making them very popular.

Double-flowered cherry trees in particular bloom later than Yoshino cherry trees and continue to bloom for a long time, meaning that you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing during the relatively warm seasons.

So, this time we will introduce the charm of double cherry blossoms and cherry blossom viewing spots where you can see them in Tokyo.

Characteristics of double cherry blossoms

Approximately 80% of the cherry blossoms that bloom in Japan are of the Somei-Yoshino variety, which has only five petals per flower.

On the other hand, the "double cherry blossoms" we are introducing here do not refer to one specific variety, but are a general term for cherry blossoms with six or more petals that are classified as "double-flowered."

Although the name "yae" (double-petaled), it does not refer exclusively to varieties with eight petals; the general term double cherry blossoms includes "semi-yae-zakura" with six to 15 petals, "yae-zakura" with 20 to 70 petals, and "kiku-zakura" with more than 100 petals.

Characteristics of double cherry blossoms: 1. Gorgeous appearance

Double cherry blossoms are attractive because each flower has plenty of petals, giving them a voluminous appearance after they bloom.

Although the flowers themselves are small, the volume of the petals causes the trees to turn vibrant colors, making you feel the arrival of spring.

Also, depending on the variety, typical double cherry blossoms tend to be a deeper pink than Somei Yoshino, and are full of vitality and very beautiful.

Characteristics of double cherry blossoms: 2. Long flowering period

While Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms bloom and then fall about 10 days later, Yaezakura cherry blossoms can be enjoyed for about two weeks after blooming.

Also, while Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms bloom during the chilly period from late March to early April, Yaezakura bloom during the pleasant weather in late April.

This has the advantage that it is easy to plan your cherry blossom viewing trip and you can enjoy the view in comfortable temperatures.

Where to see double cherry blossoms in Tokyo

In Tokyo, double cherry blossoms bloom from mid to late April.

The flowering period varies from year to year depending on the amount of rain and temperature, but the cherry blossoms are generally in full bloom around April 20th after the Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms have fallen.

Spots for viewing double cherry blossoms: Kitanomaru Park

Kitanomaru Park is a lush park located in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, adjacent to the Imperial Palace.

It was named after the "Kitanomaru (northern section)" of Edo Castle located here during the Edo period (early 17th century to early 19th century).

There are many Somei-Yoshino cherry trees planted within Kitanomaru Park, but the park is most famous for the numerous double cherry trees planted in the Flower Garden behind the Statue of Yoshida Shigeru on the east side of the park.

It is a must-see spot, with plants such as the pale pink "Yaebenitoranoo", the small but elegant "Kikuzakura", and the rare yellow-green "Goikou" cherry tree.

Location of Kitanomaru Park

1-1 Kitanomaru Park, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Access to Kitanomaru Park

If you are heading to Kitanomaru Park, take a highway bus from Haneda Airport to Shinjuku Station.
The journey takes about 30 minutes.

From Shinjuku Station, take the JR train for about 15 minutes to Iidabashi Station.
Kitanomaru Park is about a 15-minute walk from Iidabashi Station.

Spots for viewing double cherry blossoms: Hama-rikyu Gardens

Hama-rikyu Gardens was the garden of the Tokugawa Shogunate, who ruled during the Edo period, and is a park built on the site of an area that was once used as a secondary castle (a frontline fortress close to the border with the enemy) during the Edo period.

In the center of the park is a large pond called "Shioiri Pond," whose water level changes according to the tides of Tokyo Bay. The beautiful cherry blossoms blooming by the water's edge and reflected on the water's surface make this a popular cherry blossom viewing spot.

From late March to early March, you can enjoy the sight of Somei-Yoshino cherry trees in full bloom, but from around mid-April, you can enjoy the pink "Sekiyama" and the pale green "Surugadai Nioi" double-flowered cherry trees along the pond from the Otsutai Bridge over Shioiri Pond to the Umite Otsutai Bridge at the back.

The view from Otsutai Bridge, where you can see the branches dangling down into the pond, is particularly spectacular, and you can enjoy the beautiful spring weather that will make you forget you are in the city.

Location of Hama-rikyu Gardens

1-1 Hamarikyu Garden, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Access to Hama-rikyu Gardens

The nearest station to Hama-rikyu Gardens is Hamamatsucho Station.

From Haneda Airport, you can take the monorail for about 20 minutes to Hamamatsucho Station.

Hama-rikyu Gardens is about a 15-minute walk from Hamamatsucho Station.

Spots for viewing double cherry blossoms③ Sumida Park

Sumida Park, a public park in Sumida Ward, is located along the Sumida River and boasts an area of approximately 80,000 square meters.

Since the Tokugawa Shogunate ordered the planting of cherry trees during the Edo period, there are now around 300 cherry trees planted in the garden, and they are renowned for the beautiful sight of their branches stretching out towards the Sumida River.

With Tokyo Skytree located nearby, it is popular with tourists as well as locals, and is one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo.

The popular double cherry blossoms in Sumida Ward's Sumida Park are the double-flowered weeping cherry blossoms and the pine and moon cherry blossoms.

Although it is a weeping cherry tree, the double-flowered red weeping cherry is popular for its large blossoms and deep color, giving it a sense of splendor and elegance.

Shogetsu has large, voluminous flowers that are hard to believe are cherry blossoms, and you can't help but be captivated by the way the vividness of the pink increases from the inside to the outside of the flower.

Location of Sumida City Sumida Park

1, 2, and 5 Chome, Mukojima, Sumida Ward, Tokyo

Access to Sumida Park

To get to Sumida Park, take the Airport Express from Haneda Airport for about 35 minutes to Asakusa Station.

From Asakusa Station, you can reach Sumida Park in about 2 minutes on foot.

Best place to see double cherry blossoms #4: Yasukuni Shrine

Yasukuni Shrine was founded in 1869 and is a shrine dedicated to those who died in battle for their country.

The blooming of cherry blossoms in Tokyo is determined by the specimen trees within the grounds of Yasukuni Shrine, and so it is familiar to Japanese people that "Tokyo's cherry blossoms = Yasukuni Shrine's cherry blossoms."

Yasukuni Shrine is famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot for Somei-Yoshino cherry trees, but Kawazu cherry trees and double-flowered cherry trees also bloom beautifully here.

The double cherry trees near the Yasukuni National Diet Building, in front of the Middle Torii Gate, in front of the First Torii Gate, and in the Kamiike Garden are particularly popular for their large blossoms.

The Chiyoda Cherry Blossom Festival is held in early April when the double cherry blossoms begin to bud, so be sure to check it out.

Location of Yasukuni Shrine

3-1-1 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Access to Yasukuni Shrine

To get to Yasukuni Shrine, take the monorail from Haneda Airport to Hamamatsucho Station.

From Hamamatsucho Station, take the JR Yamanote Line to Akihabara Station, then transfer to the JR Sobu Line to arrive at Iidabashi Station, the nearest station to Yasukuni Shrine.

The combined journey time for both the monorail and JR is around 40 minutes.

Yasukuni Shrine is about a 5-minute walk from Iidabashi Station.

summary

Double-flowered cherry blossoms are voluminous and vibrant.

Not only do the flowers stand out in the spring sunshine, but they also last for a long time, meaning you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing over a long period of time.

Especially in Tokyo, you can see double cherry blossoms everywhere from mid- to late April, so be sure to enjoy cherry blossom viewing.