Viewing Cherry Blossoms is one of the top things to do in Tokyo in the Spring. The blossoms only last about two weeks, and are very beautiful to see. All the parks and places with Cherry Trees can get extremely crowded with people having picnics and walking about, so while the below are the most popular places, you might want to find a less well known place if you don't like crowds. Usually there are street stalls and pop-up stands selling food and drink.
Many people will just walk through the areas with Cherry Trees, but if getting together with friends, most Japanese will set down a mat or a blue plastic sheet, and spend several hours drinking, eating and watching the cherry petals float down.
The current forecast is for the cherry trees to blossom from mid-March and continue into the first week or two of April.
CLICK GREEN TAB on right for high-res printable map of Yoyogi Park (PDF)!
The most popular place to see Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo - because of the parks downtown location, and because several areas are almost purely Cherry Trees. On weekends, you'll need to get there early to grab a spot!
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UENO PARK - Ueno Station
Ueno Park has a huge concentration of Cherry Blossoms, and is one of the top spots for viewing. Many of the Cherry Trees are along pathways, so often people set up their picnic mats to the side, giving a walk around a festive feel.
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Shinjuku Gyoen has a good amount of Cherry Trees, and is well worth visiting. It is also a very nice park to walk about because its sculpted vistas and views. Entry fee is 500 yen, which keeps out the rif-raf.
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INOKASHIRA PARK - Kichijoji Station
Inokashira Park has a beautiful collection of Cherry Trees along its placid lake, allowing for an aqua element to the blossom viewing. There are paddle boats and Swan pedal boats that can be rented out too!
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MEGURO RIVER - Nakameguro Station
The Meguro River is lined with Cherry Trees and when the trees are in full bloom it is an impressive sight to behold. Lanterns are placed along the river south towards Meguro, making it a great place to visit in the evening.
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SAIGOYAMA PARK - Daikanyama Station
Daikanyama just has one small park that offers Cherry Blossom viewing, but as Saigoyama park is perched at a high point in the area, on a clear day you might also get to see Mt. Fuji off in the distance too!
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CHIDORIGAFUCHI
There are an abundance of Cherry Trees in the moats around the former Edo Castle.
Near Kudanshita Station in Central Tokyo
SUMIDA PARK
In the Asakusa area, along both sides of the Sumida-gawa river, there is a long row of Cherry Trees that can be viewed from land or from a boat on the river!
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AOYAMA CEMETARY
Along the road that stretches through Aoyama Cemetary there is a long line of Cherry Trees, and one can visit the cemetary while there too.
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Near Tokyo Dome, the cherry trees in Koshikawa Korakuen are famous for being a type weeping cherry trees. Picnics are not allowed.
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ASUKAYAMA PARK
A delightful area with hundreds of Cherry Trees, Asukayama Park is one of Tokyo's most famous Cherry Blossom viewing areas.
Near Oji Station in North side of Tokyo
