During the peak of the blooming season, the Japanese people and tourists love to attend festivals and engage in hanami, or picnics beneath the cherry trees. Japan remains the premier location in the world for viewing the cherry blossoms or attending a cherry blossom festival. Below is a list of Kanto’s most popular spots for cherry blossom viewing and the best viewing time of each place.
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1. Ueno Park
Ueno Park is the most crowded and lively place to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo. Many people come for hanami (cherry blossom viewing party) with food and drinks at day and night. During the “Ueno Sakura Matsuri” (Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival), food and game vendors will line around the park’s main promenade, featuring over thousand cherry trees.
Ueno Park
Nearest station: Ueno Station
Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival: Mid-March to Mid-April (Varies every year)
Remarks: Closed from March 27 due to the coronavirus
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2. Tokyo Midtown
In the heart of busy Roppongi area, Tokyo Midtown is a large complex site where shopping centre, hotels, restaurants, offices and residences can all be found. You can enjoy the 150 cherry trees along the street, featuring a spectacular view of the cherry blossom avenue in the modern city skyscrapers, with decent food and drinks at a romantic bar. You can also see Tokyo Tower from far and stay late to enjoy the seasonal light-up decorations.
Tokyo Midtown
Nearest station: Toei Oedo Line/ Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line/ Chiyoda Line Roppongi station
Best viewing time: late March to early April
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3. Shinjuku Gyoen
Shinjuku is a national garden located in Shinjuku area. It is best known for its peaceful atmosphere in the heart of the city centre, and about 1000 cherry trees in various kinds. If you miss the main season by a week or two, you can still enjoy the early and late blooming trees in Shinjuku Gyoen. Alcoholic drinks are prohibited.
Shinjuku Gyoen
Nearest station: Shinjuku-Gyoenmae Station, Sendagaya Station
Remarks: Closed from March 27 due to the coronavirus
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4. Koishikawa Korakuen
Titled as one of the two famous Edo gardens in Japan, Koishikawa Korakuen was built in the early Edo Period by the Mito branch of the ruling Tokugawa family. A network of walking trails, ponds, stones, trees and man-made hills were used to reproduce the famous Japanese and Chinese landscapes in miniature. When it comes to spring, weeping cherry trees stood still around the garden’s entrance to welcome every visitor.
Koishikawa Korakuen
Nearest station: Tokyo Metro, Tozai, Yurakucho, Namboku and Oedo Subway Line Korakuen Station
Remarks: Closed from March 27 due to the coronavirus
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5. Chidorigafuchi
Chidorigafuchi is the moats and waterways of the former Edo Castle, and it is located near the Imperial Palace. As picnic is forbidden, the best way to enjoy the cherry blossom view is by a boat. You can rent a small boat and paddle on the moats surrounded by over 200 cherry trees with your loved one. After the peak season, the petals of cherry blossoms cover the surface of the water which create a picturesque spring scenery.
Chidorigafuchi
Nearest station: Metro Hanzomon line, Tokyo Toei Shinjuku line, Metro Tozai line Kudanshita station
Remarks: The 2020 illuminations were cancelled
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6. Arakura Sengen Shrine in Yamanashi
Arakura Sengen Shrine is well-known for its astonishing view of Chureito Pagoda and Mount Fuji. During the spring season, the pagoda rises above the clouds of cherry blossoms spread between it and the mountain, attracting thousands of photographers to climb over 400 stairs just to reach the best shooting spot. If you find it a bit too far and complicated to go on your own, you may consider joining a hassle-free bus tour which offers a full package of round-Mt. Fuji trip.
Arakura Sengen Shrine
Nearest station: Shimo-Yoshida Station
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7. Satte Gongendo Park in Saitama
Selected as the best cherry blossom viewing spot in Saitama Prefecture, which has a 1-km long cherry blossom tunnel with about 1000 blooming cherry blossoms planted during the post-WWII period. Also, rape blossom boom right next to the sakura tunnel, showing an interesting contrast between the pale pink cherry blossoms and the mustard yellow rape blossoms. The cherry blossoms and the bridge over the near river are lit up during Satte Sakura Festival which will be held from Mid-March to early April, with over 100 stalls offer food and drinks in the festival. If you are planning a trip from Tokyo to these amazing flowers in Saitama, do not miss out the Kawagoe old street.
Satte Gongendo Park
Nearest station: Tobu-Nikko Line Satte Station
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8. Nikko Chuzenji Temple in Tochigi
Chuzenji Temple stands on the east of Lake Chuzenjiko, which was named after the temple. Besides from looking into the ceiling decorated with paintings of flowers, you can also enjoy a walk in the sunlight along the lakeside. Or to join a cruise tour to see the wide view of the pink cherry blossoms.
Nikko Chuzenji Temple
Nearest station: From JR Nikko Station or Tobu Nikko Station, take a bus bound for Umoto bus stop. Chuzenji Temple is a five minute walk from the Chuzenjiko Onsen bus terminal.
