Every spring in Japan, Tokyo transforms into a breathtaking canvas of pink hues. The typical period for cherry blossoms in Tokyo is late March to early April. The exact timing can vary slightly from year to year due to weather conditions. Additionally, depending on the type of cherry blossom, some may bloom as early as late February (Kawazuzakura) or mid-April (Yaezakura).
In this article, we introduce 17 Tokyo Sakura Spots to visit for cherry blossom viewing. For your ease of travel reference, we’ve separated them based on how they are enjoyed best - spacious parks for picnic-style Hanami, and those best enjoyed on a walk or while cycling. We also introduce lesser known Tokyo sakura spots which are frequented more by locals and have lesser crowds.
First Published: 2020-03-15
Updated: 2024-02-29
Table of Contents
- When is Cherry Blossom Season in Tokyo? [2024]
- Tokyo Sakura Spots for Picnic-Style Hanami in Tokyo
- Tokyo Sakura Spots for Enjoying a Stroll
- Tokyo Sakura Spots with Lesser Crowds
When is Cherry Blossom Season in Tokyo? [2024]
The cherry blossom season in Tokyo usually spans from late March to early April. The average year flowering date for Tokyo cherry blossoms is March 24th, with cherry blossoms reaching full bloom roughly a week later. Depending on weather conditions, the timing may vary slightly.
Updated!! Only a little over a week to go! This is the 5th announcement by the Japan Meteorological Corporation in...
Posted by WeXpats on Thursday, March 14, 2024
According to the Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC)’s 2024 Cherry Blossom Forecast (8th forecast), Tokyo’s somei-yoshino cherry blossoms are predicted to start flowering on March 24th, 2024 this year and will reach full bloom on March 31st, 2024. Despite earlier forecasts predicting that cherry blossoms will bloom earlier this year, latest forecast shows that they will bloom as average.
For the latest cherry blossom forecast for Tokyo and major cities in Japan, check the JMC’s dedicated cherry blossom page here.
Writer's Pick
Tokyo Sakura Spots for Picnic-Style Hanami in Tokyo
The standard way to do Hanami in Japan is picnic-style. A picnic mat is laid out in a park and food and drinks are enjoyed while admiring the cherry blossoms overhead.
Learn how to do Hanami in Japan in this article where we also introduce Hanami Bento, and famous cherry blossom spots in Japan.
1. Ueno Park
- Free Admission for Ueno Park (park attractions & facilities may incur fees)
- Open from 5:00 ~ 23:00 (different opening hours for park attractions & facilities)
Ueno Park (上野恩賜公園, Ueno Onshi Koen) in the Ueno district of Taito-ku, Tokyo is one of the most popular Tokyo sakura spots. The wide spacious park has plenty of grassy flatlands for visitors to enjoy picnic-style cherry blossom viewing. There are approximately 800 cherry blossom trees in the park, including a row along Shinobazu Pond. During the evening, strung up paper lanterns are lit giving the park a festival-like atmosphere.
Ueno Park is home to many different attractions. After enjoying your hanami picnic in the morning, you can explore the art museums, visit Ueno Zoo, or enjoy a boat ride while enjoying the cherry blossom trees.
2. Shinjuku Gyoen
- 500 Yen for Adults / 250 Yen for Seniors & Students / Free for 15 and under (garden facilities may incur fees)
- Open from 9:00 ~ 16:30 (~March 14th) / 18:00 (March 15th~) (different opening hours for garden facilities)
- Usually Mondays closed but open everyday from March 25th ~ April 24th
- Prior reservation for Weekends and Holidays during Cherry Blossom Season (March~April) to be implemented for crowd control
- Alcohol prohibited
Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo is also one of the most popular Tokyo sakura spots for picnic-style hanami. The park has around 1100 cherry blossom trees in around 60 varieties making it one of the best places in Tokyo to admire different cherry blossom types. Due to the variety of cherry blossom species, cherry blossoms can be seen in Shinjuku Gyoen from as early as mid-February (Kanzakura, Kawazuzakura) to late April (variety of Yaezakura). Additionally, the various restaurant and shop facilities in the park will have limited time cherry blossom-themed menus.
Official Website - Please check for latest announcements regarding special opening hours and prior reservation details.
3. Yoyogi Park
- Free Admission (park events may incur fees)
- Open 24 hours
Yoyogi Park (代々木公園, Yoyogi Koen) in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo is a park popular throughout the year due it being a favoured choice of venue for festivals and events, as well as a well-liked gathering place for hobby groups. You never know what to expect in Yoyogi Park, from food and drink festivals, music festivals, night markets, to outdoor art exhibitions, etc.
There are over 600 cherry blossom trees in Yoyogi Park. The cherry blossom orchard, centre field, and flower land areas are best for hanami. Additionally, early-blooming Kawazuzakura can be found blooming here in late February. Once you are done with your Hanami session, you can visit nearby Tokyo attractions like Meiji-Jingu, Harajuku and Shibuya.
4. Inokashira Park
- Free Admission (park attractions & facilities may incur fees)
- Open 24 hours (different opening hours for park attractions & facilities)
Inokashira Park (井の頭公園, Inokashira Koen) in Kichijoji neighbourhood of Musashino City, Tokyo is one of the most popular and beautiful Tokyo sakura spots. Its iconic Inokashira Pond with swan boats for visitors to ride is surrounded by over 400 cherry blossom trees casting their reflection and decorating the water with soft pink petals. Picnic spaces around the pond are high in demand, so you’ll need to get there early to reserve a spot.
Nishi-en (西園) side of Inokashira Park towards Mitaka is home to a variety of cherry blossom. Cherry blossoms can be enjoyed as early as the beginning of March to mid April as different specieses approach their flowering period. Inokashira Park is also home to several Tokyo attractions including Inokashira Park Zoo and the Ghibli Museum (Mitaka side). You can also explore the vibrant Kichijoji area filled with shops, cafes, restaurants and bars.
5. Sumida Park
- Free Admission
- Open 24 hours (night illumination until 21:00)
Sumida Park (隅田公園, Sumida Koen) is a park along both sides of the Sumida River (隅田川, Sumidagawa). One side is part of Taito-ku, and the other part belongs to Sumida-ku. When cherry blossom season in Tokyo arrives, the park becomes enveloped in sakura pink. The cherry blossom trees along both sides of the river are especially phenomenal. The clear view of Tokyo Skytree with cherry blossoms is a bonus!
Sumida Park is one of the best spots for admiring cherry blossoms at night (夜桜, Yozakura). The cherry blossoms are lit up from sundown to 21:00 and food stalls are set-up. You can enjoy picnic-style hanami or take a stroll along the river. Another special experience you can enjoy at Sumida Park is a rivercruise aboard a 屋形船 (Yakatabune), a traditional Japanese boat. It is less crowded and you can enjoy your own sweet time admiring the cherry blossoms while enjoying a meal onboard.
The Sumida River is also a popular spot for fireworks festivals in summer. The Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival, normally held on the last Saturday in July, is the most famous and biggest in Tokyo with over 20,000 fireworks launched.
Hanami Rules
Picnic-style hanami is a great way to enjoy cherry blossoms with friends. However, please abide by the rules for each park. Some parks prohibit alcohol and open fire cooking. General rules include:
- No littering. Bring back all your trash with you.
- No climbing trees or picking flowers.
Tokyo Sakura Spots for Enjoying a Stroll
It is also common to admire cherry blossoms along rivers and roads while taking a walk or driving. You don’t need to reserve space or prepare food, so you can easily enjoy the cherry blossoms while out shopping or on a date.
6. Meguro River
- Free Admission (public road)
- No time restriction (night illumination until 20:00)
Meguro River (目黒川, Megurogawa) flows through Meguro-ku, Shibuya-ku, and Setagaya-ku in Tokyo. A section of the Meguro River in Meguro-ku, particularly from Ikejiri Ohashi Station to Meguro Station (especially around Nakameguro Station) is famous for the many somei-yoshino cherry blossom trees that line each side of the river and filling the river with its pink petals. This Tokyo sakura spot is one that comes to mind for many during Tokyo’s cherry blossom season.
Shops line both sides of the river. During cherry blossom season, they offer cherry blossom-themed foods and drinks. Since the street can be quite narrow and crowded, moving forward at a stroll while enjoying the cherry blossoms overhead is recommended. Avoid stopping altogether and blocking the path; there are little pockets of space as you move along to stop and snap photos before rejoining the flow. In the evening, the cherry blossoms are lit up with lanterns that adorn the trees.
7. Chidorigafuchi Moat
- Free Admission
- No time restriction (illumination until 22:00)
Chidorigafuchi (千鳥ヶ淵) in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo is the outer moat of the Imperial Palace and near Kudanshita. Around 260 cherry blossom trees line the 700 metres long path, including the opposite bank. A boat rental pier allows visitors to enjoy rowing a boat on the moat to admire the cherry blossoms from a different perspective. During the evening, the cherry blossom trees are illuminated creating a beautiful tunnel of sakura above. It is one of the most popular night cherry blossom scenes in Tokyo.
From a particular vantage point, you can even catch the sight of Tokyo Tower in the distance. The view is beautiful both day and night. The photospot is really popular so expect a queue! Nearby Tokyo attractions you can visit are the Imperial Palace East Gardens for its beautiful scenery, and National Theatre of Japan or National Engei Hall to watch Japanese performing arts like Kabuki, Buyo, etc.
※ As of October 2023, the National Theatre of Japan and National Engei Hall are temporarily closed for reconstruction as part of the “National Theatre Reconstruction Project - Towards a New Adventure”. Reopening date has yet to be announced.
Just across the street from one end of the most popular section of Chidorigafuchi is Yasukuni Shrine (靖国神社, Yasukuni Jinja), a Shinto shrine that commemorates Japan’s war dead. There are over 500 somei-yoshino cherry blossom trees in the shrine grounds, and many naturally make their way from Chidorigafuchi to take a closer look.
However, before visiting or bringing anybody to Yasukuni Shrine, it is important to be aware of the highly controversial nature of the shrine. Yasukuni Shrine also enshrines convicted war criminals from World War II including those that committed Class A war crimes.
Not everyone who visits is aware of the history behind the shrine, and this is simply a heads-up in case you prefer to go other places. Please read on for more options!
8. Rikugien
- 300 Yen for Adults / 150 Yen for Seniors / Free for elementary school students and junior high school students living or attending school in Tokyo (garden facilities may incur fees)
- 400 Yen for Adults / 200 Yen for Seniors combo ticket for Rikugien & Kyu-Furukawa Gardens available (save 50 Yen)
- Separate charge for Night Illumination Event (discount for advance online ticket purchase)
- Open from 9:00 ~ 17:00 (until 21:00 during special night illumination events) (different opening hours for garden facilities)
- Alcohol prohibited.
Rikugien (六義園) in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo is famous for its beautiful traditional Japanese garden. Although it does not have many cherry blossom trees, its impressively large 15 metres tall Shidarezakura (枝垂桜), aka weeping cherry blossom tree, is a sight to behold akin to a cascading waterfall. During the evening, a special spring nighttime illumination event is held, separate tickets need to be purchased.
Although bento etc. light snacks and drinks can be brought into and eaten at the garden, picnics and entering lawn areas are prohibited, and you are only allowed to eat while sitting on the available benches. Rikugien is a cultural heritage with the cherry blossoms and garden meant to be enjoyed as it is. If you wish to dine, you can enjoy matcha and traditional Japanese sweets at the teahouse - Fukiage Chaya (吹上茶屋). The view of the traditional Japanese garden and its pond while enjoying hot matcha and wagashi is an experience like no other.
Tokyo Sakura Spots with Lesser Crowds
The best Tokyo sakura spots are incredibly beautiful, but also incredibly crowded! Here we introduce Tokyo sakura spots that are lesser known to tourists. There are generally lesser crowds and are usually visited by nearby residents and locals looking for a quiet place to enjoy hanami.
9. Hikarigaoka Park
- Free Admission
- Open 24 Hours
Hikarigaoka Park (光が丘公園, Hikarigaoka Koen) in Nerima-ku, Tokyo is a large and spacious residential park on the western outskirts of Tokyo. Aside from a nearby shopping mall, the area has not much to offer which is why it has remained off the radar to tourists. However, since the grand opening of Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter in summer 2023, which is only 2 train stations away on the same Toei Oedo Line, the park may grow to become more popular!
There are over 1000 cherry blossom trees scattered throughout the park. The grass field is a popular spot for families to hold Hanami picnics. Hikarigaoka Park is also a popular spot to visit during autumn for its beautiful ginkgo and maple leaves autumn foliage. The ginkgo avenue with trees lining both sides of the path is similar to Showa Memorial Park’s famous ginkgo path. It is smaller in scale but much less crowded.
10. Komazawa Olympic Park
- Free Admission (park facilities may incur fees)
- Open 24 hours (different opening hours for park facilities))
Komazawa Olympic Park (駒沢オリンピック公園, Komazawa Orinpikku Koen) is a huge park that spans across two Tokyo wards - majority of the park (90%) is located in Setagaya-ku near Komazawa University and the remaining is part of Meguro-ku. The park and its facilities were originally built for the 1964 summer Olympics and includes a stadium and a gymnasium.
There are many flatlands and grassy plains to enjoy picnic-style hanami in Komazawa Olympic Park. The best places to enjoy cherry blossoms are the areas from the freedom plaza (自由広場, Jiyuu Hiroba) to the track and field stadium, and near the softball field. The spacious park is also great for cycling and there are many sports facilities to enjoy.
11. Asukayama Park
- Free Admission
- Open 24 hours
Asukayama Park (飛鳥山公園, Asukayama Koen) in Kita-ku, Tokyo is a hidden gem for cherry blossom viewing set atop a hill. There are over 600 cherry blossom trees with pink and white sakura blossoms. It is the first park in Japan to have cherry trees planted and opened to the public for the masses' enjoyment during the 8th Shogun Yoshimune’s reign. During cherry blossom season, food stalls selling classic festival foods can be found there, and paper lanterns are hung up on the trees. Come evening, the lanterns are lit adding to the festival-like atmosphere.
Going up the hill to Asukayama Park requires climbing a steep flight of stairs. Alternatively, a short ropeway of only 2 minutes can take you to the top from Oji Station. Asukayama Park is also a popular spot for hydrangea (紫陽花, Ajisai) during the rainy season in Japan.
12. Chidorigafuchi Park
- Free Admission
- Open 24 hours
Chidorigafuchi Park (千鳥ヶ淵公園, Chidorigafuchi Koen) is south of Chidorigafuchi Moat (introduced above) towards the Hanzomon Station side. Although Chidorigafuchi Moat is very popular in Tokyo drawing lots of crowds, the nearby walkable distance Chidorigafuchi Park is often missed out, which is a shame because it is just as beautiful!
Chidorigafuchi Park does not have night time illumination so it is best visited during the day. The scenery is similar to Chidorigafuchi Moat with paths along the moat shaded by cherry blossom trees. On weekdays, many people working in offices nearby eat lunch and take a break here.
13. ~ 17. Hidden Gem Tokyo Sakura Spots from our Instagram
And here are 5 more hidden Tokyo sakura spots from our Instagram!
To Close
And there we have it, 17 Tokyo sakura spots to enjoy cherry blossom viewing. You can enjoy the sakura blossoms picnic-style, while taking a walk, cycling, or on a drive. Where will you be going for your next Hanami trip?
