Cherry Blossoms at Chidorigafuchi Moat & Yasukuni Shrine

I have a lot of favorite spots around Tokyo for cherry blossom viewing, although one of my favorite is Chidorigafuchi Park area. I’m certainly not the only one, because the place attracts thousands of crowds, day and night. There is no park, per se, but rather a row of cherry trees lined up along the banks of the moat of the Imperial Palace. I like to start at the Kudanshita Metro exit and walk my way around the entire moat via the Chidorigafuchi Path to view the blooms from different angles. The beauty of the trees is complimented by the colorful boats that paddle under the branches for a more picturesque hanami as an alternative to a traditional picnic in the park. You can rent one from the boathouse, and I heard the line can get pretty long. Not far from the moat is the Yasukuni Shrine (literally, Peaceful Country) which has scenic sakura grove in the front yard as well as serene pond in the back. Founded on the orders of Emperor Meiji in 1869, Yasukuni Jinja is a Shinto Shrine which is dedicated to the souls of those who have died in war for their country and sacrificed their lives to help build the foundation for a peaceful Japan. One of the trees in the garden is actually used by the meteorological agency to pronounce the official beginning of the cherry blossom season in Tokyo!