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
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Oh, it’s so magical! ^_^
It truly was magical! :)
Beautiful read!
Thank you!
Thank you very much for the list of places! Japan is my dream destination…
You are welcome! I hope you’ll get to make your dream come true and visit one day. :) xx
Really beautiful photographs which take me back to my childhood in Japan.
Thank you lovely! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. :) xx
Wow, these are absolutely phenomenal photos. I’m headed to Japan next year for the cherry blossom season so this was awesome! Thank you!
That’s awesome! Hope you have a wonderful trip! I will write one more post listing all the off the beaten path spots I found this year so stay tuned. :)
Perfect! I’ll be on the look out!
Amazing. The wonderfull landscape, I’m feel went to go Japan.
Greet
I hope you’ll get to visit one day, Japan is an amazing country!
Amin. Thanks mate
Ok, thanks you
I adore those swan boats against the blossoms, and the lanterns are magical! Such a beautiful post, thank you.
Thank you lovely! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. :) xx
Wow I really love your photos! The cherry blossoms in Japan look so beautiful!
I definitely will be adding this to my bucket list!
Thank you lovely! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Hope you’ll visit Japan some time :) xx
I so miss living in Japan and Cherry Blossom season and festival. Gorgeous pictures.
Ooh I went to Japan over the summer but there weren’t any cherry blossoms yet 😭 now I have to go back and go to these places
Nice pics spotted perfect tokyo
First class pictures and beautifully written. This is something on my bucket list to see, so thank you for the wonderful advice! Lovely post. 😊
I really love your picture. It’s stunning!!!
So beautiful
Oh my goodness, it is like heaven on a stick! Amazing. I am in bliss looking at your photos!
Slamat sore
Great article! I’d like to visit Japan bcs i really appreciate japanese culture!
Love it!!
Bagus banget
So beautiful! I wish I could be there right now. <3
Too beautiful to look at. Sadly, I may not be able to catch cherry blossoms since I’ll be going to Japan this April 19, too late for that. But I’ll be catching Wisteria instead. 😉❤️
Such perfect and beautiful places for sakura sightseeing! Lots of Sakura to please the eyes <3 plus, the sakura alongside the river reminds me of Jinhae Spring Festival in Korea :) would love to visit Japan sometime in Spring!
These are beautiful! I’m going to Japan soon so am dyingg to check these out!
Breathtakingly gorgeous! And such a great collection of photos with both people and the blossoms. My favorite was the swan paddle boats. I would definitely be doing one of those if I’m ever fortunate enough to go.
Thank you Lindsey, so glad you enjoyed the post. The “swan boat lake” is definitely one of my favorites as well 😍
Nice clicks
Such a sight! I also love the meaning behind the blossoms and how the people in Japan interpret it. Superb post.
This is one of the most beautiful posts that I have ever scene!
nice
Beautiful photos! Japan hadn’t been on my wanderlust list but now I’d definitely consider paying a visit just for the cheery blossoms :)
gorgeousness
These are amazing. You mind telling me which camera do you use?
I re-blogged! STUNNING!!!!
Thank you!!!
Wow, so pretty! I am going to a Japanese garden right outside Amsterdam to take some photos of the Cherry Blossoms there, and I am of course going to share with you guys.
I WANT TO GO BACK!!
Nice… makes me feel like i am also in Japan…
Absolutely stunning!
Nice pictures! I really loved it! :D
Awesome
Reblogged this on Exploring.
Lovely photos. I wish I could visit there soon.
Wow !! Beautiful photos !!! <3
Love your pictures they are beautiful!!
Reblogged this on Kaleidoscope of Faces and commented:
BEAUTIFUL. Just to even look at the photos!
i know right??? I want to visit Japan so much! (maybe live there and learn their language? lol)
You definitely should!!
I’m just so happy they have shared sushi with us! I would be so unhappy if I had never known japanese food!
I love Japanese storytelling!! lol you have to have a nice palette for sushi 🍣 which I don’t lol I’m too picky
Absolutely gorgeous..