10 CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVALS (HANAMI) IN TOKYO

 

In spring, you can see cherry blossoms all over Japan.

Japanese people love cherry blossoms.

During the cherry blossom season, various events are held all over the country.

Here are 10 places in Tokyo that are famous for their cherry blossoms and cherry blossom festivals.

 

MIDTOWN BLOSSOM

The setting is Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi, in the middle of the big city.

There are 150 cherry trees waiting for you along the 200-meter long Sakura-dori Avenue.

This is a popular spot every year not only during the daytime, but also at night when the trees are lit up in pink and you can enjoy the cherry blossoms at night.

The best view is from the “Garden Arch,” which can be seen after walking along the promenade of cherry trees.

The gentle curve of the path and the glittering lights of the cherry blossoms can be seen from high above.

You can take a leisurely stroll while watching the cherry blossoms at night, or if you prefer to sit and enjoy the cherry blossoms, you can enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants along the cherry blossom trees.

For those who prefer to sit down and enjoy the cherry blossoms, there are a number of restaurants lined up along the rows of cherry blossom trees.

The “CHANDON Blossom Lounge” is open only during the cherry blossom season.

It is highly recommended. There are also a number of restaurants in the Galleria where you can dine with a view of the cherry blossoms, so be sure to check them out.

 

• Location: 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku
• Access: Roppongi Station, Nogizaka Station

 

Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival

The Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival is held in Ueno Onshi Park, which has been known for its cherry blossoms for about 400 years.

About 1,200 cherry trees bloom all over the park, and it is crowded with people every year during the blooming season.

The park is filled with about 1,200 cherry trees, and is crowded with people every year during the blooming season. There are various types of cherry trees such as Someiyoshino, weeping cherry, Kanzakura, and Yohkoh.

It is also one of the three major nighttime cherry blossom festivals in Japan, and can be enjoyed both day and night.

During the festival, as many as 1,000 “bonbori” (paper lanterns) are hung, and together with the cherry blossoms at night, they create a nostalgic atmosphere.

If you want to enjoy the cherry blossoms at night in a relaxed atmosphere, the area around Shinobazu Pond is recommended.

During the festival, many food stalls and product exhibitions are set up, and events are held, so you can spend the whole day enjoying the festival, but be aware that it is expected to be quite crowded.

 

• Location: 5-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
• Access: 5 min. walk from Ueno Station

 

Rikugien weeping cherry blossoms

Rikugien Garden in Bunkyo-ku is a garden where you can enjoy seasonal flowers.

It is famous for its weeping cherry trees, which are about 15 meters high and 20 meters wide.

It is said that the way the weeping cherry blossoms open is like a cascading waterfall.

At night, the cherry blossoms are lit up and the atmosphere is overwhelming. The weeping cherry blossoms bloom earlier than the Someiyoshino cherry blossoms.

It is recommended to check the best time to visit.

There are several stores in the park, including the Sakura Teahouse, which is open only during the cherry blossom season and serves cherry blossom gelato.

 

• Location: 6-16-3, Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku
• Access: Komagome Station

Sakura Festival in Chiyoda

Chidorigafuchi Greenway, located along the moat of the Imperial Palace in Chiyoda Ward, is one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan.

During the “Chiyoda no Sakura Matsuri” (Cherry Blossom Festival in Chiyoda), LED lights are used to enjoy the cherry blossoms at night.

One of the most unusual ways to enjoy the cherry blossoms is by boat.

You can enjoy the cherry blossoms from the waterfront by taking a boat that is open at night during the festival.

You will forget about time as you see the fantastic scenery in your own space away from the crowds.

Boats are available until 8:30 p.m. (tickets are sold until 8:00 p.m.), and the fee is 800 yen per boat for 30 minutes or 1,600 yen per hour.

The Sakura Karugamo-go, a free shuttle bus, and the Marunouchi Shuttle Sakura Matsuri-go, which runs around the city, are also in special service, and are a great way to view the cherry blossoms as the scenery changes.

At the Yasukuni Shrine site, you can enjoy the festival atmosphere with booths set up by stores in the shopping district.

 

• Location: Kudan-minami 2 chome-Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku
• Access: Kudanshita Station

 

Koganei Sakura Festival

In the vast grounds of Metropolitan Koganei Park in Koganei City, there are about 1,700 cherry trees of 50 varieties, including yamazakura, kasumizakura and someiyoshino.

At the plaza in front of Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, a cherry blossom festival is held on Saturdays and Sundays around the end of March every year.

Various groups and organizations perform and dance on a special stage.

You can enjoy the festival from morning till night.

There are also about 40 food stalls where you can enjoy not only local gourmet food but also local specialties from far away.

There is also a flower arrangement corner, a flower arrangement area, and a tea ceremony area in the building, so it is recommended for those who want to relax and enjoy themselves.

 

• Location: 1-13-1, Sekino-cho, Koganei City
• Access: Musashi Koganei Station
  

 

Sumida Park Cherry Blossom Festival

Sumida Park” along the Sumida River, with about 510 cherry trees planted, including not only Someiyoshino, but also Satozakura and Oshima-zakura.

This park has been selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots, and has been a famous cherry blossom viewing spot for a long time.

It is easily accessible from the station, and the rows of cherry trees stretch for about 1km, so you can enjoy a leisurely stroll.

The best thing about this place is the collaboration with Sky Tree.

At night, the cherry trees in the park are lit up to create an even more fantastic atmosphere.

Both day and night have their own merits. Be sure to take a picture of the cherry blossoms and the Skytree.

 

• Location: 7-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
• Access: Asakusa Station 

 

Nakameguro Sakura Festival

This is one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo, with about 800 cherry trees lining about 4km of the Meguro River.

It is accessible from three stations, and there are many cute grocery stores and fashionable restaurants in the area, making it a great place to stroll and enjoy the cherry blossoms.

At night, the area is lit up and cute bonbori (paper lanterns) are hung.

Be sure to take a picture of the pale light reflected on the riverside and the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

The best place to take pictures is from the Naka-no-bashi Bridge near Ikejiri-ohashi Station.

The bridge itself is in the shape of a bright red arch, so the collaboration of the bridge and cherry blossoms is beautiful.

During the festival, along with the cherry blossoms in full bloom, you can enjoy shows such as Yosakoi and Awa Odori, and musical performances by local elementary and junior high schools.

 

• Access: Nakameguro Station, Ikejiri-Ohashi Station, Meguro Station

 

Ark Hills Sakura Festival

This is a cherry blossom festival held at ARK Hills Akasaka in the heart of the city.

About 150 cherry trees are planted along ARK Hills’ outer perimeter streets, Sakura-zaka and Spanish-zaka.

The cherry trees bloom on both sides of the street, creating a wonderful “cherry blossom tunnel.

At night, the trees are lit up until 10:00 p.m., creating a romantic atmosphere in the city.

During the festival (held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in early April last year), there will be workshops and marshes where children of elementary school age and above can participate, and gourmet food stalls from popular restaurants in the area.

At the Ark Karajan Plaza, there is a space where you can go barefoot on the lawn and enjoy viewing the flowers.

It’s a festival with lots to see and do, and you can enjoy it all day long.

 

• Location: 1-12-32 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
• Access: Ikejiri-Ohashi Station
  

 

Bunkyo Sakura Festival

This is held every year as one of the five major festivals of Bunkyo Hana.

120 cherry trees lined up along Harimazaka are the venue.

The rows of cherry trees have been carefully nurtured by the local people and have become a place of relaxation as well as a walking trail. On Saturdays and Sundays during the festival period, the area is a pedestrian paradise, attracting many people.

Every year, the festival features a parade of various genres, including brass band performances from nearby schools, Japanese drums, and marching bands.

There are also classes where you can enjoy handmade crafts such as Amezaiku (candy crafts) and picture postcards.

 

• Location: Koishikawa 4-chome and 5-chome, Bunkyo-ku
• Access: Myogadani Station

 

Cherry blossom light-up at Otonashi Park

「夜桜水車」

北区王子の音無親水公園の夜桜ライトアップ。

水路にある水車と、桜のライトアップがとても綺麗。#桜 #夜桜 #音無親水公園 pic.twitter.com/EYv8ZcZgC6

— Yuji Shibasaki＠Photo (@Yuji_48) April 1, 2019

A park in Kita Ward, selected as one of the 100 best urban parks in Japan, is the venue for this event.

The cherry blossom trees line the old channel of the Shakujii River, and the canyon-like topography of the park is a rare sight in Tokyo.

The park is lined with historic bridges, windmills and small waterfalls which will give you a sense of Japanese style.

The best time to visit is at night.

It is lit up with full-color LED lights and the streamway is lit up with lights that represent the flow of water, creating a fantastic space.

This is a great spot to relax and enjoy the cherry blossoms.

 

• Location: Oji Honmachi 1-chome, Kita-ku
• Access: Oji Station

 

 

In addition to the above, there are many other cherry blossom events in Tokyo and all over Japan.

I hope you will visit Japan during the cherry blossom season and enjoy the Japanese spring.