Best cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo
Where to see the sakura – Tokyo parks, gardens and more great hanami spots
The cold of winter has lifted and our great city is slowly switching gears into spring. In other words, the 2019 Tokyo sakura season is just around the corner – the Meteorological Agency’s latest cherry blossom forecast sets the opening date for March 22, while ‘peak bloom’ is expected around March 28-29. Although these divinations tend to change frequently the closer we get to March, there’s still no harm in planning ahead for your hanami. Here’s our pick of sakura-related events taking place in and around Tokyo, from lit-up gardens to full-on spring festivals.
Can't wait for cherry blossoms? Go see the plum blossoms instead.
More sakura spots
Yoyogi Park
Possibly the city's most popular location for cherry blossom viewing – but also one of Tokyo's most crowded, rowdy and dirty ones...
Asukayama Park
Arisugawa Park
An undulating park, Arisugawanomiya Memorial Park has been landscaped to take advantage of nature. During the Edo period, the grounds were originally the suburban residence for the Daimyo of the Morioka Nanbu clan...
Shinjuku Gyoen
You might not expect to find tranquility in bustling Shinjuku, but stump up the meagre ¥200 entrance fee and step into the entirely different world of Shinjuku Gyoen, possibly Tokyo’s most beautiful green space. Come sakura season, the whole place erupts into so much riotous pink, you’d be forgiven for thinking a Pride march had rolled through town...
Meguro River
Another long-running favourite, the banks of the Meguro River always get packed with hanami-goers around the end of March. If possible, avoid crowds by moving away from the area around Nakameguro Station...
Inokashira Park
Located just 15 minutes from the centre of Tokyo, this Kichijoji park has more than enough to occupy you for an afternoon, including a zoo, a pond with amusingly shaped rental boats, and playground facilities – plus some of the city's most spectacular cherry blossoms...
Chidorigafuchi Boathouse
Chidorigafuchi is famous for its spectacular sakura, which include around 200 somei-yoshino and yamazakura cherry blossom trees. Renting a boat at this boathouse, located in the centre of Chidorigafuchi Park, and paddling under the flowering branches...
More things to do in and around Tokyo
Chasing blossoms: Where to see cherry blossoms in Japan if you missed it in Tokyo
Explore other parts of Japan for more sakura between April and May 2019
Best things to do in Tokyo at night if you're not drinking
Nightlife in Tokyo is more than just the bars and clubs. Here are some top late-night booze-free activities that don't involve drinking
Best things to do with kids in Tokyo
Top family-friendly events, festivals, restaurants, activities and fun things to do for children in the capital