9 scenic cherry blossom tours and cruises in Tokyo

¥4,900 per person (adv ¥3,900), children ¥3,900 (¥2,900)

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 from Tennozu Pier in Shinagawa to Ebara Shrine, Gotanda, and Hotel Gajoen via the Meguro River. The tour takes about 70 minutes in total and is also offered in the evening if you'd prefer to see the cherry blossoms with the backdrop of Tokyo lit up at night.

This seasonal tour on a double decker bus will swing by some of Tokyo’s most popular attractions while you enjoy a spot of afternoon tea. There are two routes for spring: the Omotesando tour cruises along the Meiji-dori Avenue, Midtown, Shiba Park and Hibiya Park, while the Shinjuku tour takes you through Shinjuku-Sanchome, Shibuya, Midtown, Chidorigafuchi Moat and Yasukuni Shrine. 

The Omotesando tour runs on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays until April 30. The Shinjuku option, on the other hand, is only available for six days from March 14 to 19. Both tours take 90 minutes, starting at 11am, 1pm and 3pm (except Saturdays, which have two extra tours at 5pm and 7pm).

Bookings must be made in advance via the website.

¥5,500 per person (children ¥4,500)

Hop into a kayak and paddle your way down Kyunaka River near Tokyo Skytree for a more adventurous approach to seeing cherry blossom. Run by outdoor sports club Zac Sports, the kayaking experience takes roughly one and a half hours along sakura spots in Edogawa, Sumida and Koto wards. You don't have to be an expert, either – the tours are designed for people of all skill levels and are done in small groups, so you can always ask the instructor for help when needed.

¥2,100 per person (children ¥1,000)

For a whirlwind tour of the capital’s best sakura spots, you can now hop aboard the double-decker Sky Bus for an open-air cherry blossom adventure. Departing from Tokyo Station, the bus follows a special spring route that takes you around the Chidorigafuchi-National Diet Building, Tokyo Midtown and Tokyo Tower before heading back towards the station.

¥2,900 per person (children ¥1,400)

If you’d prefer to leave the streets and sail Tokyo’s waterways, you can also take a cherry blossom cruise on the open-air Sky Duck water bus, which takes you past Kinshi Park and Sarue Park for riverside sakura views. If you’re in the Yokohama area, the Sky Duck is also operating sakura tours around the Minato Mirai area.

¥4,200 per person (children ¥3,200)

Take a cruise around one of the most popular cherry blossom spots in Tokyo. The Meguro River Ohanami Cruise from Tokyo Waterways offers a 70-minute ride under a tunnel of pink petals that run along the Meguro River. You’ll hop on the 40-person boat at Tennozu Pier, which will take you through the Meguro River, past Shinagawa Bridge, Iruki Bridge, Gotanda Bridge, Hotel Gajoen and bring you back to the port.

From ¥12,000 per person (children ¥6,000)

Centuries ago in Japan, yakatabune were the pleasure boats of wealthy merchants, aristocrats and military leaders, and they were lavishly decorated, often with tatami mats and low tables for dining. Nowadays, these traditional wooden longboats are seeing a revival as private entertainment vessels for groups to enjoy Tokyo’s night scenery over food and drinks.

However, this doesn’t mean yakatabune are off limits to casual tourists. In spring, Amitatsu offers a special sakura tour that takes you to some of Tokyo’s most picturesque riverbanks, all flanked by cherry blossoms.

¥5,500 per person (¥6,600 for 7.30pm)

Marvel at hundreds of gorgeous cherry blossom trees as you cruise down Tokyo’s Sumida River in a traditional yakatabune houseboat. The sakura cruise takes you past some of the city's top cherry blossom spots, including Sumida Park in Asakusa, while you enjoy all-you-can-eat teppanyaki and monjayaki, a kind of savoury pancake. Better yet, drinks are bottomless, too.

Looking for a private cherry blossom experience with a small group of friends? From March 20 to April 9, the Ohanami Chandon Cruise will take you on a boat tour along the scenic Meguro River. For ¥13,200 per person (¥16,500 on weekends), you can rent a private boat for six to eight people, and it comes with a sakura-themed bento box, a bottle of Chandon rose for every two people plus all-you-can-drink white wine, beer and soft drinks.

The 90-minute cruise will depart from Lounge Crib in Shibaura and take you to popular venues and attractions such as TY Harbor, Ebara Shrine, Onari Bridge and Sakura Terrace Gotanda.

Smaller groups are welcome to book the cruise. However, the total cost will come up to that of six people at the minimum.