In spring, beautiful cherry blossoms bloom in full bloom, enveloping the entire city in a festive atmosphere. In Tokyo, you can enjoy cherry blossoms in a variety of places, including historic shrines and vast parks.

So, this time we will introduce 5 recommended cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo. In addition, we will introduce surrounding tourist spots, so you can enjoy Tokyo's unique gourmet food and shopping along with the cherry blossoms.

Ueno Park

Ueno Onshi Park, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot that has been around since the Edo period, is one of Japan's leading spots, with around 800 cherry trees in bloom. It has also been selected as one of the "100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan," and the "Ueno Sakura Festival" is held in the spring.

Various types of cherry blossoms, including Somei Yoshino and Yamazakura, bloom here, and at night, 1,000 lanterns are lit up, creating a fantastical scene. You can stroll along the rows of cherry trees during the day, and enjoy the illuminated cherry blossoms at night. Ueno Zoo and art museums are nearby, making it a great place for sightseeing.

Best time to see cherry blossoms

Late March to early April

location

Ueno Park, Ikenohata 3-chome, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Access methods

About 1 minute walk from Keisei Ueno Station on the Keisei Main Line
Approximately 2 minutes walk from JR/Tokyo Metro Ueno Station

Asukayama Park

Asukayama Park is a historic cherry blossom viewing spot that was opened to the public as Japan's first park during the Edo period when the 8th Shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, planted cherry trees for the enjoyment of the common people. In spring, about 600 cherry trees bloom in full glory, and from late March to early April, lanterns are lit up, allowing you to enjoy the cherry blossoms at night.

The Kita-ku Sakura SA*KASO Festival is held in the park, and the area is filled with a lively atmosphere, featuring Japanese drums, street performances, and local gourmet food stalls. The view of the cherry blossoms and the Tokyo Sakura Tram, the only tram in Tokyo, is also a great photo spot. Enjoy the Japanese spring in a park where history and atmosphere come together in harmony.

Best time to see cherry blossoms

Late March to early April

location

1-1-3 Oji, Kita-ku, Tokyo

Access methods

A short walk from Oji Station on the JR Keihin Tohoku Line and Tokyo Metro Namboku Line A short walk from Asukayama Station and Oji Ekimae Station on the Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line)

Showa Memorial Park

The National Showa Memorial Park is a popular cherry blossom viewing spot with approximately 1,500 cherry trees blooming across a vast area the size of 39 Tokyo Domes. In particular, the "Cherry Blossom Garden" is home to many large cherry trees that are over 50 years old, and the branches hang low, so you can enjoy the cherry blossoms right in front of you while sitting down.

The vivid contrast with the rape blossoms adds color to the spring scenery. In addition, the Zanbori River is a great photo spot where you can enjoy different varieties of cherry blossoms, such as Somei Yoshino and Youkou Sakura. You can also rent bicycles or Segways to explore the park and fully enjoy the spectacular view of the vast cherry blossoms.

Best time to see cherry blossoms

Mid-March to late April

location

3173 Midoricho, Tachikawa City, Tokyo

Access methods

Approximately 8 minutes walk from Tama Monorail "Tachikawa Kita Station"
About 10 minutes walk from JR Chuo Line "Tachikawa Station"

Rikugien Garden

Rikugien Garden is a Japanese garden built by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, a chamberlain to the fifth shogun, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, during the Edo period, and is designated as a special national scenic spot. The symbol of this garden is the weeping cherry tree, about 15 meters tall and 20 meters wide, which overwhelms visitors with the beauty of the flowers cascading down like a waterfall.

In the evening, the "Rikugien Garden Special Night Viewing in the Spring" event is held, and the entire garden is lit up, creating a fantastic atmosphere. In particular, the night view of the pond, cherry blossoms, and historic buildings lit up is not to be missed. You can enjoy the beauty of Japanese spring at any time of the day or night in this quiet garden in the heart of the city.

Best time to see cherry blossoms

Mid-March to late March

location

6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo

Access methods

Approximately 7 minutes on foot from the south exit of Komagome Station on the JR Yamanote Line or Tokyo Metro Namboku Line Approximately 10 minutes on foot from Sengoku Station on the Toei Mita Line

Hotel New Otani

In the spring, 58 cherry trees of 19 varieties bloom in the Japanese garden of Hotel New Otani, allowing you to enjoy beautiful cherry blossom viewing in the heart of the city. In the vast garden of 33,000 m2 that has been in existence since the Edo period, somei-yoshino, weeping cherry, mountain cherry, and other varieties bloom, and as they bloom at different times, you can enjoy the cherry blossom scenery for a long period of time.

At night, the entire garden is lit up, creating a fantastic atmosphere that is a highlight of the "Night Cherry Blossom Illumination." The hotel also offers special accommodation plans and takeout menus only available during the cherry blossom season.

Best time to see cherry blossoms

Mid-March to early April

location

4-1 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Access methods

Approximately 3 minutes on foot from Akasaka-mitsuke Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Marunouchi Line Approximately 3 minutes on foot from Nagatacho Station on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line and Namboku Line

Other nearby tourist spots

Meiji Shrine

Meiji Shrine is a shrine surrounded by lush nature in the heart of Tokyo, and boasts the highest number of first-visit visitors in Japan. Founded in 1920, it enshrines Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. The vast grounds are home to approximately 100,000 trees donated from all over the country, making it a popular urban oasis.

There are many things to see here, such as the 12m-tall torii gate, sake barrels donated from all over Japan, and the Kiyomasa Well in the Imperial Palace. With beautiful scenery that changes with each season, this is truly a healing power spot in Tokyo.

Sensoji Temple

Sensoji Temple is the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, founded in 628, and is a popular spot visited by many tourists from both Japan and abroad. Its symbol, the Kaminarimon Gate, is decorated with a large red lantern, and the wind god and thunder god guard the temple grounds.

Nakamisedori Street, which stretches for about 250 meters from Kaminarimon to the main hall, is lined with about 90 souvenir shops and restaurants, where you can enjoy uniquely Japanese crafts and traditional Japanese sweets. The main hall enshrines the principal image of the temple, the Bodhisattva Kannon, and the incense burner, which is used to purify the body by bathing in smoke before worship, is also a must-see. After sunset, the area is lit up, allowing you to enjoy Asakusa at night in a fantastical atmosphere.

Kabukiza Theatre

Kabukiza is Japan's leading Kabuki theater located in Ginza, Tokyo. Kabuki, which has a history of over 400 years, is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and attracts tourists from all over the world.

Even first-time visitors can enjoy traditional performing arts with ease, as there are "one-act seats" where you can watch just one act and guided tours with English subtitles. In addition, at "Kobikicho Square" in the basement of the theater, you can purchase kabuki-related souvenirs and goods that give a sense of Japanese culture, so it is worth visiting even if you are not going to see a show. There is also a rooftop garden and gallery, so there are plenty of ways to enjoy the theater other than the theater.

summary

Tokyo has many attractive spots where you can enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms. You can enjoy cherry blossoms in a variety of landscapes, including historic gardens, large parks, and lively tourist spots. We recommend taking a leisurely stroll under the cherry blossoms during the day and enjoying the fantastical illuminated scenery at night.

Additionally, the surrounding tourist destinations offer a wide range of gourmet food and shopping that you can only find in Tokyo. Why not enjoy the charms of Tokyo to the fullest this spring along with the cherry blossoms?