Tokyo Cherry Blossom Guide: Best Sakura Spots

Ueno Onshi Park

"For cherry-blossom viewing, Ueno"—there's a reason those words have been passed down for many years. The cherry-blossom tunnel continuing from Shinobazu Pond, where about 1,200 Somei-Yoshino trees bloom in profusion, to the center of the park is truly an overwhelming sight that makes you feel with your whole body that spring has come to Tokyo. Families spreading out sheets and gathering around bento, office workers raising laughter with cans of beer in hand—the smiles of such people are also an important part coloring Ueno's spring scenery.

At this historic park, beloved as a place of common people's cherry-blossom viewing since the Edo period, experience the "lively spring" unique to Tokyo.

Peak Viewing Period

The peak of the viewing period is usually late March to early April. Because the full-bloom period is short, only about a week, we recommend frequently checking Tokyo's blooming information and planning your visit day. From the "beginning of blooming" right after blooming to the "time when the falling petals dance," being able to enjoy each different expression is also a real thrill of cherry blossoms. If we may be greedy, visiting on a windy day 2 to 3 days after full bloom lets you have the dreamlike experience of walking through a blizzard of petals.

If you want to avoid crowds, 8 to 10 a.m. on a weekday is the target. With people still sparse, the cherry blossoms floating in the soft morning light are especially beautiful, and outstandingly photogenic.

Access: A short walk from the Park Exit of JR "Ueno Station" (about 2 minutes). Or about a 3-minute walk from Exit 7 of Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Hibiya Line "Ueno Station."

Illumination

When the sun sets, Ueno's cherry blossoms show an entirely different face. The night cherry blossoms, where the warm orange of the paper lanterns and the pink petals floating up in the lighting spread as if melting together, are somewhere romantic and fantastical, a complete change from the daytime liveliness. 6 to 9 p.m. is the golden time of the illumination, and strolling with food-stall gourmet in hand is the local kids' way to enjoy it.

Tip for travelers: Because weekends in the cherry-blossom season are very crowded, spot-saving within the park starts from early morning. Bringing a leisure sheet or folding chair is comfortable. Bringing in alcohol is possible, but be sure to take your trash home. Also, because many food stalls open around Shinobazu Pond, you can fully enjoy it even empty-handed.

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Shinjuku Gyoen

In contrast to Ueno's gorgeous liveliness, what Shinjuku Gyoen gives you is an elegant spring beauty dwelling within stillness. It's a national garden managed by the Ministry of the Environment, and bringing alcohol into the grounds is prohibited—that is also the reason it naturally gathers people who "want to leisurely admire the cherry blossoms."

Its greatest charm is the diversity of its cherry blossoms. Not only Somei-Yoshino, but about 65 varieties and about 1,000 trees—mountain cherry, Okan-zakura, Oshima-zakura, weeping cherry, and more—bloom in profusion in turn, so cherry blossoms can be enjoyed from early March to late April, truly for about two months. The figure of cherry blossoms blooming against the backdrop of the historic French formal garden and English landscape garden is just like wandering into a painting. A photo capturing the Kyu-Goryotei (Taiwan Pavilion) and cherry blossoms together is a shot you can take only at Shinjuku Gyoen.

A hidden-gem area popular with local repeat visitors is around the Mother and Child Forest. Because it's a little away from the central plaza where tourists gather, you can enjoy cherry-blossom viewing relatively at leisure. Also, at the in-grounds Restaurant Yurinoki, a season-limited cherry-blossom menu also appears, so by all means check it.

Access

Outstanding access, about a 5-minute walk from Exit 1 of Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line "Shinjuku-gyoenmae Station," or about a 5-minute walk from Exit E5 of Toei Shinjuku Line and Tokyo Metro Shinjuku-sanchome Station too. Because the surrounding roads are crowded on weekends in the cherry-blossom season, using public transportation is by far recommended.

Tip for travelers: The admission fee is 500 yen for adults (as of 2024). Because a line of people waiting to enter forms right after opening on weekends in the cherry-blossom season, arriving in time for the opening hour (9 a.m.) is best. Also, because the cherry-blossom blooming status is updated from time to time on the official website and social media, check it before visiting. Note that bringing in alcohol is prohibited.

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Meguro River

There aren't many places, even in vast Tokyo, where you can taste the experience of "walking under a tunnel of cherry blossoms" this purely. The promenade along the Meguro River, continuing about 3.8 km from Nakameguro to Ikejiri-Ohashi, is filled with a breathtakingly beautiful "arch of cherry blossoms" created by about 800 Somei-Yoshino trees blooming as if covering over from both banks. The sight of pink petals falling onto the river surface and slowly flowing along makes your heart tremble no matter how many times you see it.

The recommended way to walk is the route heading upstream (toward Ikejiri-Ohashi) from Nakameguro Station. The further you get from the tourist-heavy area around Nakameguro Station, the more of a hidden-gem feel there is, letting you walk calmly. Also, because stylish cafes and miscellaneous-goods shops are dotted along the river, dropping by shops that catch your eye while strolling leisurely is the Nakameguro local style.

The best time is early morning or night cherry blossoms. On weekend daytimes the promenade is so crowded with people it overflows, but visiting around 7 a.m. has a luxurious time waiting where you can monopolize the cherry blossoms reflected in the quiet river surface. At night, bonbori lanterns are lit along the river, and the reflection of cherry blossoms swaying on the water surface produces a fantastical atmosphere. It boasts immense popularity as a date spot too.

Nearby Gourmet

Along the Meguro River is an area with an especially high level of food even within Tokyo. Cafes and sweets shops serving sakura mochi and cherry-blossom sweets limited to the cherry-blossom season line up, and taking them out and eating them by the river is the connoisseur's way to enjoy it. Walk the row of cherry trees with a takeout coffee from Nakameguro's famous "Sarutahiko Coffee" in hand, and just that alone will make you feel you've fully savored Tokyo's spring.

If bringing a cherry-blossom-viewing bento, sitting in a little space near a bridge and eating while gazing at the river is the best. Because trash cans aren't installed, don't forget to prepare to gather your trash in an eco-bag and take it home.

Access: About a 1-minute walk to the Meguro River from Tokyu Toyoko Line and Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line "Nakameguro Station." The route walking to Ikejiri-Ohashi in about 30 to 40 minutes is the standard. Access from Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line "Ikejiri-Ohashi Station" is good too, and using the train to return on the way back is also a smart method.

Tip for travelers: On weekend daytimes, the promenade is crowded to the point of being hard to walk. Be careful about bringing strollers or large luggage. Visit in easy-to-walk shoes such as sneakers. Because the surrounding convenience stores and eateries are guaranteed to have lines during the cherry-blossom season, preparing drinks and light snacks in advance is reassuring.