Perhaps one of the most frequently asked questions I get about Japan is “where are the best places to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo?” and the shortest answer to that is everywhere. Literally. You’ll see canvases of fluffy blooms on every street and at every park, big or small. The city turns into a real flower-land and you are guaranteed to get your sakura fix almost anywhere you go. However, to make your sakura hunting a little bit easier, I put together not only the well-known hanami spots but also my personal favorite, off the beaten path nooks in and around Tokyo that provide stunning views without all the crowds. Whether you are coming to Japan for the first time, or are a seasoned resident, I hope you discover a new place on my list below and get inspired to have hanami there just like the locals do.
MUST VISIT SPOT
Opinions will differ on this, but I think if you, for whatever reason, have to pick only one place to view cherry blossoms in Tokyo, then Chidorigafuchi is a perfect one. It is a very scenic spot surrounding the moat around Imperial Palace grounds. While at it, Yasukuni Shrine next to it is also not to be missed. As packed as it gets by tourists and locals alike, it is a charming place to stroll around. Don’t miss a little Japanese garden, hidden behind the shrine, which has beautiful koi fish pond.
LARGE PARKS & JAPANESE GARDENS
Tokyo has a reputation of being a concrete jungle (which it is), but it is also seeded with a plethora of massive lush parks which make a wonderful, alas crowded, spots for viewing sakura. Shinjuku Gyoen Garden is my favorite public park in Tokyo. It has a beautiful collection of different types of cherry trees some of which start blooming as early as February and bloom until mid-April. Basically, every weekend there is a new set of trees blooming so it keeps me coming back for more.
Other gorgeous places are Inokashira Park where you can ride the swan boats on a lake surrounded by sakura trees, and Showa Kinen Park which is huge and provides ample space for hanami.
Yoyogi Park and Ueno Park are two other super busy spots and attract tons of crowds. These turn into more of a party centrals and typically it is very hard to find a space there, that’s why they rank low on my list.
If you are looking for more zen setting with beautiful Japanese landscape, then I’d recommend visiting Rikugien and Koishikawa Gardens. Both have traditional tea houses where you can make yourself comfortable on tatami floor and admire the blooms.
COZY NEIGHBORHOODS
There are a few areas in Tokyo I love to revisit when trees are in full bloom. Nakameguro is perhaps the most popular and for a good reason. As crowded as it gets, it’s impossible not be drown by those fluffy trees lined up along the Meguro river. The atmosphere is lively and there are a lot of food stalls selling drinks and snacks. Night light-up here is also stunning. If you want to enjoy almost exact same setting (three lined along the canal/river), but with much fewer people then head to either Shin-Yurigaoka area (direct train from Shinjuku on Odakyu line), Sengawa River in Setagaya or Senbonzakura along Hikichigawa River.
Another favorite of mine is Jiyugaoka, and so far it has remained a bit less touristy even though cherry blossoms here are spectacular. See my detailed post here.
Yanaka neighborhood and its cemetery, in particular, is a wonderful place for not just gawking at blooms but exploring the old part of Tokyo with quintessential ambiance.
If you care to explore another old part of Tokyo in addition to admiring cherry blossoms, then Chofu area is a good place. It has a hushed sylvan setting and its Buddhist temple Jindai-ji (second oldest in Tokyo) is dedicated to sakura. The year-round beautiful Jindai Botanical Garden close by is also worth visiting.
Last but not least, locals recommend Harimanzomin Sakura Street in Bunkyo which is a bit out of the way, but offers a stunning avenue set up in matsuri (festival) style during sakura season.
CAFÉS WITH SAKURA VIEWS
When the weather is cooperating there is hardly a better place than Canal Cafe. Onibus Coffee in Nakameguro is also known to have a nice view of the sakura tree outside its second-floor windows. Lastly, Works in Nakameguro is a great brunch spot with an equally beautiful view.
INDOOR VIEWS
Sadly, cherry blossom season also coincides with the rainy season, so in case the weather is not cooperating, you can head to Nihonbashi which is decked out in festive sakura theme and offers an array of entertainment to set you in the mood for spring. See details here.
CHERRY BLOSSOM SPOTS OUTSIDE TOKYO
I was absolutely smitten at the beauty of Kawagoe in full bloom last year, so I’d highly recommend it. Read my detailed post here.
Another place I recently discovered is Fujinomiya in Shizuoka Prefecture where I was invited to join a food tour by Arigato Japan. Not only does this little town has a fantastic spot for viewing cherry blossom, but it offers spectacular views of Mt. Fuji and has a great food scene to boot.
Kamakura never disappoints no matter when you visit and cherry blossom season is not an exception. Shrine like Hase Dera in particular are not to be missed.
Kawaguchiko Lake and Chureito Pagoda need no introduction, it is one of the most scenic and quintessential images of Japan: cherry blossom framed Mt. Fuji.
Yokohama, Japan’s second-biggest city, also has a beautiful array of gardens which are a bit less touristy as not everyone cares to venture outside Tokyo. Sankeien Garden is one definitely worth visiting and has a very impressive night light-up.
I have a few more spots on my radar which I will be checking out this season, so those who are looking for off the beaten path cherry blossom spots, follow and keep a close eye on my Instagram account. Also, for other upcoming flower festivals, see my special page here.
Which are you favorite cherry blossom spots in Tokyo?
xoxo, nano
Let’s connect on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | BlogLovin’ | Pinterest
PIN FOR LATER:
Gorgeous and breathtaking scenes! These will be lovely to view again before going to sleep, to inspire pretty dreams. Thank you, Nano.
These photos are absolutely beautiful! I’d love to go to Tokyo 😍
Beautiful pics u got there. Thank you for sharing.
So beautiful
http://www.firstpostone.in/diabetes-eye-disease-diabetic/
So beautiful, moving, fleeting, dream-like, surreal,… Thank you for the photos of the Cherry Blossoms.
Reblogged this on Cleaning Service in the Stockholm.
Now I regret going to japan in August and not in may. But: Now I am prepared if I go to Tokyo again !
Great pictures…its my dream to visit Japan during this time of the year
Great post! Thanks s is waaaay high up my bucket list!
She’s such a beautiful woman! Great photo skills too.
Amazing! The places are absolutely stunning!
Makes me want to come and visit already!
Much love from India! 😄
Hope you’ll visit during cherry blossom season one day!
Surely!
Wow, it’s so beautiful ..I hope you will visit my new blog just as I visit your blog
cool and beautiful.
Thank you!
What a fun post! I lived in Japan as a small child and we had a cherry blossom tree in our yard! I loved reading this!
Oooh it is my dream to have a cherry blossom tree in my backyard!
The pictures are so beautiful
Thanks for sharing such wonderful scenery.
Nice photo. I really enjoy reading this
Thanks, glad you like it!
Amazingly awesome
Thanks!
These are gorgeous!
Reblogged this on maniz_blog and commented:
yeah really loved it. more to go…..
Seeing the cherry blossoms in Japan is on my bucket list! Your pictures are stunning! I am obsessed! Thanks for sharing. <3
Thank you so much!! I hope you’ll get to visit Japan during sakura season, it is stunning.
Just pure beauty ~ smiles Hedy 🌸☺️
Thanks!
Wow, this is beautiful!
Thanks!
Heyy! They are amazingly gorgeous pic! 💕✨ Áwêßómé!
Impeccable Pics…Really awesome!
Spectacular photos and informative post, Nano. We hope to be there in October.
Jane how exciting! Fall is also my favorite season in Japan. Hope you have the most wonderful time. xx
Beautiful! I love the red pants and navy sweater with flowers :)
That’s my favorite outfit as well ☺️🌸
This is beyond beauty, loving Nano right back!
Aww thank you dear. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for reading! xx
You are welcome anytime Darling!
Wow! It’s so beautiful. Each and every picture is post-card perfect! Loved it :)
Reblogged this on Business Startup-Bay Area.
Wow stunning photos!
Nice
Stunning 🌸
Beautiful pictures!
Great, Blog this is so amazing I love this post keep sharing this kind of things with us.
Thank you!
OH WOW!!!! I cannot get over how amazingly beautiful those sakura are! I especially fell in love with the photos of the sakura trees that were lining the sides of the river – how magical!
Sakura season is truly breathtaking in Japan :) xx
I love cherry blossoms, your photographs showcase them beautifully!
Thank you Marsa!!
One day I hope to visit these beautiful spots! Also, the photography is really stunning 🌸
Thank you so much Dounia, I hope you make it to Japan one day and get to experience its beauty. 😊 xx
Thank you so much, Nano! And once again, my compliments on this beautiful blog post. I love reading your content. Keep it up 💋
Thank you Dounia xx
Wish I had known about these when I lived in Tokyo, but alas next time. I’m wondering if you ever got to see the plum blossoms? They’re just a touch earlier then cherry blossoms (mid-March) but just as beautiful!
Hi there! I hope you make it back one day to visit some if these spots. As for the plum blossoms I agree, they are equally stunning. I have enjoyed them greatly and have a separate list of the best viewing spots for ume :)
Thanks for the reply! I’ll be sure to check out that list next and keep it in mind for next time!
Your guides are SO helpful Nano – if I ever go back to Japan, I will literally not even need to bother packing my guide book as all the info is up here on your blog :) The cherry blossom spots all look so amazing – I’ll aim to come back in full bloom next time (or in the fall!) and you look so pretty in all the photos!
Shikha, you are so kind to say so. It makes me happy to know that what I write is helpful. :) You definitely need to plan a trip back. Perhaps in fall this time since you did experience a bit of cherry blossoms during your last visit. 🌸
These photos are beautiful! I love Japanese cherry blossoms, and I’m thinking about where I want to see them this year… I have to ask, you are in a lot of your own photos – do you use a tripod and timer, or do you have an assistant?
Jennifer, thank you. I am glad you enjoyed the post. Where is the most beautiful cherry blossom viewing spot you have seen so far? As for my portraits, I’m lucky to have friends who are very good at photography and share my love for it. We typically explore together and take each other’s photos. I’d be very shy/awkward to use tripod for solo photos in public. 🙈
I’m not sure the most beautiful, but my favourite is at Yamazaki River here in Nagoya. There are lots of trees, and it’s not as crowded as lots of other places. You are lucky to have photographer friends. I would feel super awkward taking tripod photos too. That’s why I don’t have any photos of myself. Only my husband has photos of me, and I still don’t know how to act normal when the camera is on me.
Jennifer, I’ve seen photos of Yamazaki River, it surely looks beautiful. Well, if you come to Tokyo, let me know and we can plan a joint photo stroll. 😉
You’re right, it is beautiful. It’s my favourite, but I’m always hesitant to say it’s number 1. But I think it is my number 1 spot :) And let me know if you ever come to Nagoya!
We all have our biased favorites :) definitely, would love to meet up!
Reblogged this on Vietnam Travel & Trade Portal.
I’d love to come back and see the cherry blossom one day.
Angie, you definitely should! Along with fall, it is one of the most beautiful seasons in Japan 🌸
Just beautiful, makes me want to jump on a plane and head straight to Tokyo. Xx
Aww Lorelle, please do come! I’d love to meet you in person.
Same Nano… one day we will ❤️
Though I had been to Tokyo but it was during the winter time. Your photos make me want to just pack up my suitcase and go to Tokyo now to see the cherry blossoms. ☺️
So happy to hear that! Hope you’ll get a chance to come back during cherry blossoms or fall, which is equally beautiful. xx
Those blooms look so pretty!
Thank you Kasia, aren’t they just stunning?! Heading out to shoot new ones today 🌸
Wow gorgeous!
Thank you!
Beautiful photos!
Thanks love, glad to hear you enjoyed them!