20 best cherry blossom festivals and events in Tokyo

This cherry blossom festival, one of Tokyo's most popular, takes place along the 700m-long Chidorigafuchi Ryokudo promenade near the Imperial Palace, around which there are some 230 sakura trees. During the day, you can take a stroll along the Chidorigafuchi moat or even rent a rowboat to see the cherry blossoms from the water. By night, you can enjoy the pink flowers lit up with LEDs from March 26.

If you’re interested in viewing the cherry blossoms from the water, boat rentals (3 seats maximum) are available but require payment. A pre-reservation system is available to minimise wait times.

Advance online reservations cost ¥12,000 per boat and allow you to select your preferred date and time. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Chiyoda Ward Sakura Fund for the conservation of the Chidorigafuchi landscape. (change of date and time can be made until 8pm of the day before the desired date, availability permitting)

Same-day tickets purchased onsite at the Chidorigafuchi boat pier cost ¥3,000 per boat for one hour of use, which is inarguably the more affordable option. Be sure to get in line fast though, as tickets will be distributed from 9am daily and are sure to run out quickly. 

For those who can’t get a hold of tickets during the peak period between March 15 and March 31, shorter 30-minute rides are available for ¥1,000 from April 1.

For the sakura illuminations that start at sunset, expect lights out at 9pm. The boats, on the other hand, will be available from 9am to 7.30pm. 

The cherry blossoms are illuminated daily from March 26 to April 6, 2026.

Cherry blossom viewing isn’t just limited to the daytime. Just a five-minute walk from the west exit of Shibuya Station is Sakurazaka, a winding street lined with beautiful cherry blossom trees that are illuminated each evening with pink lights and 250 pink lanterns from March 27 to April 3. The around 30-or-so somei-yoshino trees along the 200-metre road reach peak bloom from late March to early April.

Sakurazaka's cherry blossom illuminations run from March 27 to April 3.

Celebrate spring's arrival at Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi, where the annual highlight is the illumination of the 200m avenue lined with cherry blossoms in the Garden Area. This spot is especially scenic between 5pm and 11pm during the spring festival when all of the trees are lit up. Before the cherry blossoms bloom, they're bathed in bright pink light. Once in full bloom, the lights shine a bright white, letting you admire the blossoms in all their splendour.

For an extra leisurely experience, you can get a seat at the Roku Midtown Blossom Lounge (12pm-8pm) in the Midtown Garden, where you’ll find exclusive spring-inspired cocktails and dishes prepared by chefs from the nearby Ritz-Carlton hotel.

Check the lounge menu here. 

Tachikawa's Showa Kinen Park isn't content with merely hyping sakura: its Flower Festival takes place over three months and celebrates the blooms of winter rapeseeds (in March), tulips (April), nemophilia (April-May), poppies and gypsophilia (May), of course in addition to the cherry blossoms in March and April.

Along with flower-viewing, the park will be hosting a number of floral-themed events, and dedicated photo spots will be set up on the premises. Don't miss the chance to see a beautiful field of nemophila flowers in late April, which turn into a gorgeous sea of blue once 2 million nemophilia plants bloom at once.

Nakameguro is one of Tokyo’s most popular sakura spots, with 800 cherry blossom trees lining the Meguro River that runs through the neighbourhood. This area is renowned for its cherry blossom trees, which create a canopy of pink over the water. You’ll find local restaurants and shops with stalls set up along the river, and the sakura trees lit up with pretty pink lanterns from 5pm to 8pm.

This part of Nakameguro gets very crowded, especially on weekends during peak bloom, so there will be some restrictions and traffic control in place to manage the crowds. Eating and drinking while walking is discouraged, as is putting down a sheet to have a picnic under the trees. If you want to find some quieter spots, head over early in the morning or try to move further down the river away from Nakameguro Station.

While the light-up runs every evening from late March to early April (dates yet to be announced for 2026), the Nakameguro Sakura Festival is happening for one weekend only on March 28 and 29 at the Goryuten Playground on the south side of Nakameguro Station. On Sunday March 29, you'll be able to enjoy live events including a brass band performance (from 10am), hula dances (2.10pm), awa-odori dance troupes (4.10pm), and much more.

If you've missed the Nakameguro Sakura Festival and the light-ups, head South to Nakame Ohanami Park Festival for some delicious matsuri grub to enjoy under the cherry trees. Ten food trucks will gather at Meguro River Park daily from March 27 to April 5.

Get a view of the Meguro River's cherry blossoms from the water with this special cruise. This season, Zeal is offering hanami cruises, which take you upstream from Tennozu Yamatsu Pier in Shinagawa to Ebara Shrine, the neighbourhoods of Osaki and Gotanda, and the former Hotel Gajoen Tokyo via the Meguro River before looping back to the starting point.

The tour takes about 70 minutes in total and is also offered in the evening if you'd prefer to see the cherry blossoms against the backdrop of Tokyo lit up at night. The relaxing cruises are a welcoming alternative for those wishing to avoid peak crowds.

Reservations are now open through the official website. Boarding begins 15 minutes before departure time at Tennozu Yamatsu Pier.

The Takanawa Cherry Blossom Festival takes place in an expansive Japanese garden with around 210 cherry trees across 17 varieties. Starting with the early-blooming kawazu sakura in February, the garden offers a succession of blossoms to enjoy for nearly three months.

The cherry blossoms here are illuminated nightly from 4.30pm to midnight until April 19. During the festival, the garden paths are also lined with more than 400 ornate bamboo lanterns inspired by Takanawa Nijurokuya, an Edo-period moon-waiting ritual (1603–1868). It’s an especially scenic spot for capturing memorable sakura photos. Kimono rentals are also available.

While you're there, don't miss the exciting workshops at the Japanese garden, such as the cherry blossom bonsai crafting experience, Kyoto-style sweets-making class, outdoor morning yoga, and more. Special cherry blossom-viewing rooms and al-fresco breakfast sessions are also available for booking.

For more information on workshops and stay packages, check the event website.

If you want to enjoy cherry blossoms without the crowds, head out to Koganei Park in western Tokyo. Celebrating its 72nd cherry blossom festival this year, this suburban park is known for its spring festivities featuring musical performances, 30 food trucks, special stage shows and a host of fun activities. Don't miss the cherry blossom illumination happening for only one day, on March 28 (weather permitting).

The main events are scheduled over the March 28-29 weekend at the Tatemonoen-mae square, but the park is still worth visiting outside these dates, as the spacious park offers a lot of opportunities to picnic under blooming sakura.

The Nihonbashi neighbourhood is once again celebrating sakura season with all things pink. As a yearly tradition in the neighbourhood, the first-floor plazas at Coredo Muromachi Terrace, Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower, and Coredo Muromachi 1, 2 & 3 are decked out with pink noren curtains. There are seven designs, each inspired by a different variety of cherry blossoms, like somei-yoshino, okame-zakura and kawazu-zakura. There are also a few events, including a pop-up parfait expo from March 18 and live music performances scheduled for the evenings of March 28 and March 29. 

Swing by for the Nihonbashi Sakura Yatai on March 28 and 29 and you'll find a host of food and drink stalls around Fukutoku Shrine, representing restaurants, department stores, hotels and other major businesses in Nihonbashi. You can also expect sakura-themed cocktails, bento boxes, pastries and course meals at about 200 venues in the neighbourhood. Check the list of participating outlets on the website.

Come evening, Nihonbashi’s Edo Sakuradori street will light up with pastel pink-coloured illuminations. On March 28 and 29, you’ll also find a night market beneath the trees, featuring food trucks selling festival grub and a cheerleading performance. While Edo Sakuradori arguably boasts the most stunning cherry blossoms, you can also catch illuminated sakura outside the Bank of Japan Head Office and at Coredo Muromachi 1, 2 and 3. Non-illuminated sakura trees can be found in front of several nearby office buildings as well, including Nihonbashi Honmachi Tokyu Building, Mitsukoshi, Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower and Coredo Muromachi Terrace, among others.

Covering several cherry blossom-lined roads that total a kilometre in length, the Ark Hills Sakura Festival is returning for three days this year from March 27. Taking place across several venues, including the roofed Karajan Place, the festival will feature live music performances, outdoor food stalls and an antique market (March 29), all within walking distance from the beautifully illuminated cherry blossoms surrounding the venue.

The cherry blossoms are lit up from 5pm to 10pm in two locations: roads surrounding the Ark Hills complex from Spain-zaka Street near Azabudai Hills to Sakurazaka Street, and around Izumi Garden near the US Embassy. See the event website for more details on the antique market and live music performances.

The one-kilometre path along Sumida River from Azumabashi Bridge to Sakurabashi Bridge has over 340 Yoshino cherry trees, making it one of the most popular sakura attractions near Sensoji Temple. These trees were planted in the 18th century by order of the 8th shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, so they carry extra historical significance. 

Come in the evening from March 20 to April 5 to see the blooming cherry blossoms light up from 6.30pm to 9pm daily. And on weekends when the sakura are in peak bloom – including March 28-29 and April 4-5 – you can expect a vibrant atmosphere, with plenty of street food stalls and games set up near Sakurabashi Bridge and Sumida Park Soyokaze Square.

From March 25 to April 5, you'll even find a ‘geisha’ teahouse hosted by the Mukojima Bokutei Association. Tea will be served at Sakurabashi Deck Square.

Check the event website for the latest details. 

Here’s your chance to welcome the sakura season before the blossoms even come out this spring – at one of Tokyo’s tallest observatories to boot. Tokyo Skytree’s lower observation decks (at 340 and 350 metres above ground level) are getting a full cherry blossom makeover from February 26 to April 14, with plenty of photo spots and opportunities to take in the city’s breathtaking views framed by sakura.

As dusk falls, the flower decorations on floor 350 are accompanied by a majestic projection-mapping show using the observatory windows as a canvas. Each screening lasts three minutes and takes place at 7pm, 7.45pm and 8.30pm (7.10pm, 7.50pm and 8.35pm Mar 1-8; 7pm, 7.15pm, 7.50pm and 8.35pm Mar 9-31; and 7.30pm, 7.45pm, 8.20pm and 9pm from Apr 1 onwards).

If you’re looking for something to satiate your appetite, make a beeline to Skytree Cafe for their exclusive sweets and drinks menu. Along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks that are appropriately pink and sakura-flavoured, the café is offering plant-based vegan and gluten-free doughnuts. The matcha-coloured Sakura Mochi doughnut and sky-blue Sakura Sky Vanilla doughnut make a perfect pairing with the cherry-themed drinks. 

After your visit, don’t miss the special cherry blossom light-up which lights up the tower in vibrant pink and blue almost daily from February 26 to April 14.

Tickets can be purchased through the official website.

Japan’s mountainous regions are renowned for their beautiful cloud formations known as unkai (‘sea of clouds’), which appear in the morning hours of spring and autumn. Now you can experience this scenic view at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, where the garden features its own misty sea of clouds against a backdrop of beautiful cherry blossoms. While entry to the garden is free, it's only open to guests who are shopping, dining or staying at the hotel.

This spring, the garden and its 20 species of cherry blossoms – 100 trees in total – will be illuminated with brilliant lights in the evening. Expect to see a special light show with unkai clouds every hour from 6.40pm, 7.40pm, 8.40pm and 9.40pm daily.

You can visit the garden day or night and see the sakura flowers for free. But for an extra indulgence, the hotel is offering numerous food and drink plans that can be enjoyed while looking out at the sea of clouds, including a Sakura Afternoon Tea at its third-floor restaurant, Le Jardin. The afternoon tea includes their original blend tea 'Le Jardin,' a pink cherry blossom cake, an assortment of scones and savoury hors d'oeuvre. It costs ¥7,500 per person (exclusive of a 15 percent service charge) and must be booked in advance via Tablecheck.

If you’re looking for the most OTT cherry blossom illumination in Tokyo, this is it. To celebrate the coming of spring, Yomiuri Land has commissioned veteran lighting designer Motoko Ishii for a spectacular light show that will dazzle even the most ardent illumination sceptic.

Highlights include the Sakura Promenade, where all the cherry blossoms along a 180-metre-long path will shine with electric pink LED lights. There are around 800 cherry blossom trees in the park. For the best bird's-eye view of these seasonal trees, catch a ride on the high-speed Bandit roller coaster, or hop on the Sky Shuttle gondola.

As one of five long-standing flower festivals in Bunkyo ward, the cherry blossoms along Harimazaka Road have been celebrated annually by locals since 1971. Around 120 somei-yoshino trees line the street, along with a few rarer varieties of sakura. While you're there, pay a visit to the nearby Koishikawa Botanical Gardens, one of our top picks for the best places to see sakura in Tokyo.

Note: The road will be closed to traffic and turned into a pedestrian zone on March 28 and 29.

Even among Tokyo's innumerable flower-viewing spots, Ueno Park stands out with its sheer scale and tasteful lantern decorations. Turned on at sunset, these beautiful lights help make Ueno's nighttime sakura a must-see spectacle.

This year, the 20-day event unfolds across three areas within the park, all centred on the theme of food. At Takenodai Square (also known as the Fountain Square), food trucks from all 47 prefectures across Japan will serve regional specialities and festival favourites. The park's South entrance area near Keisei Ueno Station will feature food stalls from local Ueno vendors, cooking up their best dishes in bento form. Meanwhile, the square overlooking Shinobazu Pond will showcase food trucks offering piping hot ramen bowls.

Note that the festival period may change depending on the cherry blossom blooming dates.

Light up daily from 5pm to 10pm.

Picking out some special treats from its plentiful permanent collection to celebrate the onset of spring, the National Museum of Modern Art displays sakura-themed art from March 13 to April 12. You’ll get to see Kawai Gyokudo’s folding-screen masterpiece Parting Spring and classics such as Hobun Kikuchi’s Fine Rain on Mt Yoshino at this seasonal exhibition. A visit here is best combined with cherry blossom-viewing at the nearby Imperial Palace, the Chidorigafuchi promenade and Kitanomaru Park. Make sure to stop by the museum shop on the first floor to pick up some seasonal trinkets decorated with floral motifs.

Special tours in English are also offered for free on March 19, 25-26, April 1-2 and 9, showcasing several spring-themed works. Reservations are not required.

The exhibition is closed on Mondays (except March 30).

Enjoy a special cherry blossom-themed sky lantern festival this April in the heart of Shinjuku at the Hanami Toya, an indoor event with live music performances, unlimited booze, festival grub and more. The lantern release here is purportedly the largest in Japan, with 1,500 sakura-coloured lanterns released simultaneously around the centrepiece sakura tree.

Returning to the airy Shinjuku Sumitomo Building Sankaku Hiroba event hall, Hanami Toya lets you enjoy a blossom-viewing experience without worrying about pollen, unpredictable spring weather or finding somewhere to sit. Tickets start from ¥7,500 and include four hours of unlimited alcohol and soft drinks, plus your own sky lantern. Add ¥2,000 to get date-change and cloakroom privileges, an expanded drink line-up, and a full refund if the event is cancelled.

Purchase a ticket through the official website.