Chidorigafuchi Greenway is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot located in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.

There is a boat dock at the midpoint, which is known as a great cherry blossom viewing spot where you can view the beautiful cherry blossoms while rowing a rowboat.

This is a must-see for anyone who wants to see the beautiful cherry blossoms reflected on the water's surface, or who wants to enjoy the beauty of nature in the city.

What is Chidorigafuchi Greenway?

Chidorigafuchi Greenway is a 700m long promenade that runs along the moat of the Imperial Palace.

It is said that the planting of cherry trees around Chidorigafuchi began around 1869, when the veterans' association of what is now Yasukuni Shrine presented cherry trees to the area.

Construction of the cherry blossom-lined street began in 1898, and in 1979 it was completed into its current form as a greenway. It has become a famous cherry blossom spot beloved not only by Tokyo residents but people all over Japan.

Characteristics of the cherry blossoms along Chidorigafuchi Greenway

There are about 260 cherry trees planted along the Chidorigafuchi Greenway, and each tree has grown very large, with beautiful branches and profuse flowers.

You can enjoy the beautiful spring scenery as you walk through a tunnel of cherry blossoms from the greenway and view a cherry blossom waterfall from the moat.

Highlight 1: Cherry blossoms blooming all at once

Chidorigafuchi Greenway is mainly planted with cherry trees such as Somei-Yoshino and Oshima-zakura, which flower from late March to early April.

Approximately 260 cherry trees reach their peak at the same time, with the cherry blossoms blooming on both sides of the greenway painting the surrounding area pink, allowing you to take a leisurely stroll through this breathtaking beauty.

There are plenty of hotels, high-end restaurants, and cafes in the area, and many of them offer limited-edition menus during cherry blossom season, so be sure to check them out.

Additionally, Chiyoda Ward holds the Chiyoda Sakura Festival every year to coincide with the cherry blossom season along the Chidorigafuchi Greenway.

The cherry blossoms of Kitanomaru Park, Yasukuni Shrine, the British Embassy, and the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, all within easy walking distance of the Chidorigafuchi Greenway, also bloom simultaneously, so we recommend spending the whole day enjoying the Chiyoda Sakura Festival.

Highlight 2: Stunning cherry blossoms viewed from the water

If you want to enjoy the cherry blossoms along Chidorigafuchi Greenway, the best spot for cherry blossom viewing is undoubtedly Minakami.

At the midpoint of the Chidorigafuchi Greenway, which stretches for about 700 meters, is the "City-run Chidorigafuchi Boating Center," where you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing in a rental boat, either hand-rowed or foot-rowed.

Not only can you see the beauty of the cherry blossoms as you look up from the moat, but you can also get a close-up look at the magnificent cherry blossoms reflected on the water's surface, or take a boat ride through the water where the fallen petals dye it like a pink carpet. You're sure to be overwhelmed by the beauty of nature's announcement of spring.

During the Chiyoda Sakura Festival mentioned earlier, numbered tickets will be distributed from around 9am to avoid crowds, so try to get one first thing in the morning.

Highlight 3: Cherry blossoms lit up with LED lights

The cherry blossoms along Chidorigafuchi Greenway are of course beautiful during the day when they are illuminated by sunlight, but they are also fantastical when lit up at night, making it a very popular cherry blossom viewing spot.

The cherry blossoms along the 700m-long greenway are lit up with LED lights from around 6pm until sunset (around 8pm on weekdays during the latter half of the festival), creating a truly beautiful sight, attracting many office workers from the surrounding area to enjoy cherry blossom viewing after work.

Many people visit the park, especially on days when the weather is fine and the air is clear, to see the fantastic sight of the cherry blossoms reflected on the surface of the moat at night.

Cherry blossom season along Chidorigafuchi Greenway

The cherry blossoms along Chidorigafuchi Greenway are mainly Somei Yoshino varieties, which usually start to bloom in late March and reach full bloom at the end of March or early April.

The peak bloom in 2024 will be around April 5th to 9th, and in 2023 it will be around March 23rd to 26th.

Location of Chidorigafuchi Greenway

2 Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Access to Chidorigafuchi Greenway

It takes about 30 minutes by taxi from Haneda Airport to Chidorigafuchi Greenway.

If you are traveling by train, take the express train from Haneda Airport to Nihonbashi Station in about 35 minutes, then change to the subway and get off at Kudanshita Station, which is about a five-minute walk from Chidorigafuchi Greenway.

Nearby tourist attractions

Tourist Spot 1: The Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace, the home of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, is located about a two-minute walk from Chidorigafuchi Greenway.

It is a true urban oasis, with buildings that are over 400 years old and beautiful seasonal flowers and nature.

The Imperial Palace is divided into three main areas: the East Garden and the Outer Garden, which can be visited without a reservation, and the Inner Palace, which must be visited by prior reservation.

During the cherry blossom season, a public viewing event is usually held along Inui Street of the Imperial Palace, which is a very popular event.

Location of the Imperial Palace

1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Tourist Spot 2: Tokyo Daijingu Shrine

Tokyo Daijingu, located about a 10-minute walk from Chidorigafuchi Greenway, was founded in 1880 and is known as the first shrine in Japan to hold a Shinto wedding ceremony.

Recently in particular, the shrine has become increasingly popular as a place that grants blessings in finding love, and is known as a power spot for achieving love, attracting many worshippers, especially young women.

Among them, the one that many people look forward to is the "marriage fortune telling" which is said to help you find a lover.

When you open it, the scent of flowers will waft out, and it is rumored that if you draw the lucky fortune on this fortune slip, you will find a lover within the next six months, so be sure to give it a try.

Additionally, at Tokyo Daijingu, Kawazu cherry blossoms bloom along the approach to the main shrine. Though they are smaller than the ones along Chidorigafuchi Ryokudo, the beauty of the cherry blossoms blooming with the main shrine behind them is renowned for creating a typically Japanese sight.

Location of Tokyo Daijingu Shrine

2-4-1 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Tourist spot 3: Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum

The Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum is located in a building that has been restored as much as possible to the original Mitsubishi Ichigokan, Japan's first office building, which was constructed in 1894.

The museum does not have a permanent exhibition, but rather special exhibitions, so its greatest attraction is that you can encounter a variety of art pieces every time you visit.

The museum also has a museum cafe and bar called "Café 1894," where you can enjoy a lunch menu centered around Western cuisine, as well as limited-edition menus in collaboration with special exhibitions.

It's about a 15-minute taxi ride from Chidorigafuchi Greenway, making it the perfect place to take a break when you get tired from cherry blossom viewing.

Location of Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum

2-6-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

summary

Chidorigafuchi Greenway is one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo.

In particular, the beautiful view of the Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms from a rental boat at the boat dock located at the midpoint of the greenway is very popular.

Be sure to come and experience the spectacular view of large cherry trees all in full bloom at once at Chidorigafuchi Greenway.