Feb 24, 2017
The best places for cherry blossom & 'hanami' in and around Tokyo
It is now nice and warm in the day (although still extra chilly in the evenings). The winds are up and sometimes a little out of hand. Perfect indicators then that spring is here. Plum blossoms and early sakura are already blooming, setting a path to the major hanami season that many seem so proud of in Japan. Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) is such a big deal, the Japan Meteorological Corporation has a very precise forecast as to when the flowers are expected to bloom across Japan.
In regards to the cherry blossom in Tokyo for 2017, forecasts report that the first sakura may blossom on March 22nd (4 days earlier than average but a day later than last year). Full cherry blossom bloom is expected to be on or around March 31st for 2017. The hanami season is expected to finish early April but that is not the end of sakura blossoms in their entirety. There is, in fact, a variety of sakura that bloom at different times during the year in Japan
When people speak of 'hanami', however, they are usually talking about the most ubiquitous type of sakura, the Somei Yoshino, a 5-petal, white to pale pink blossom, with leaves only appearing after full bloom.
Whether you are planning to wow your friends and family from overseas, to enjoy the season with your Japan-based friends, or just spend quality time alone with the flowers, this comprehensive guide will help you to plan your hanami party, tours, and solace in and around Tokyo!
Shinjuku Gyoen
| Entrance | 200 yen |
| Hours | 9am - 4.30pm |
| Nearest station | Shinjuku Gyoen |
| Size | 144 acres |
| No. of cherry trees | 1500 including both early and late bloomers |
| Why here | The garden with the longest blooming season in Tokyo, hanami season can last until end of April. |
Ueno Park
| Entrance | Free |
| Hours | Round the clock |
| Nearest station | Ueno |
| Size | 133 acres |
| No. of cherry trees | 1000 |
| Why here | Massive hanami parties until the late hours (although get here early for the best spots). |
Meguro River
| Entrance | Free |
| Hours | Round the clock |
| Nearest station | Meguro, Nakameguro |
| No. of cherry trees | 800 |
| Why here | Not really a hanami party site but a really nice stroll under the canopy. Night time viewing is illuminated by pink and white lanterns bearing the names of sponsors. Has the feel of a matsuri, with food and drink stalls along the river. |
Yoyogi Park
| Entrance | Free |
| Hours | Round the clock |
| Nearest stations | Harajuku, Yoyogi koen, Meiji Jingumae |
| Size | 134 acres |
| Number of cherry trees | 600 |
| Why here | Hanami party central. Like a rock concert with petals! |
Inokashira Park
| Entrance fee | Free |
| Hours | Round the clock |
| Nearest station | Kichijoji |
| Size | 95 acres |
| No. of cherry trees | 1000 |
| Why here | Lots of students from the neighboring universities. Boat rides are the best way to enjoy the blossoms that line the lake. |
Koganei Park
| Entrance fee | Free |
| Hours | Round the clock |
| Nearest station | Musashi Koganei |
| Size | 196 acres |
| Number of cherry trees | 1700 |
| Why here | Largest park in Tokyo offering hanami on the wide lawns. |
Sumida River Park
| Entrance | Free |
| Hours | Round the clock |
| Nearest station | Asakusa |
| No. of cherry trees | 1000 |
| Why here | Fantastic photo opportunity with Skytree as a backdrop and highly recommended river cruises to view the blossoms on the riverside. |
Koishikawa Kōrakuen
| Entrance | 300 yen |
| Hours | 9am - 5pm |
| Nearest station | Iidabashi |
| Why here | Oldest and best(?) Japanese garden in Tokyo. Built in 1629, this garden is highly influenced by the West Lake in China. A meticulously curated site where one can enjoy its most famous weeping sakura. |
Roppongi (Sakurazaka behind Roppongi Hills)
| Entrance | Free |
| Hours | Round the clock |
| Nearest station | Roppongi |
| No. of cherry trees | 75 |
| Why here | Amazing night illumination. |
Roppongi Midtown
| Entrance | Free |
| Hours | Round the clock (illuminations until 11.30pm) |
| Nearest station | Roppongi |
| Location | Street behind Midtown Tokyo |
| No. of cherry trees | 150 |
| Why here | Classic photo opportunity with Tokyo Tower in the background. Blossom lounge to sip Rose champagne while admiring the flowers. Book a restaurant with terrace seating next to the cherry trees. |
Aoyama Cemetry
| Entrance | Free |
| Hours | Round the clock |
| Nearest station | Gaienmae |
| No. of cherry trees | Several hundred |
| Why here | Serene, nice stroll, just you and the flowers. |
Imperial Palace
| Locations | Chidorigafuchi Moat, East Garden, Koukyo (Inui Dori) |
| Entrance | Free |
| Hours | 9am - 5pm, Iuni Dori is only opened for 8 days during full bloom |
| No. of cherry trees | Few hundred |
| Nearest station | Otemachi |
| Why here | No hanami parties but a view fit for royalty. |
Yasukuni Shrine
| Entrance | Free |
| Hours | 6am - 6pm |
| Nearest station | Ichigaya, Kudanbashi, Iidabashi |
| No. of cherry trees | 600 |
| Why here | No parties but a sakura festival with the attendance of over 200 sumo wrestlers. |
Rikugi-en
| Entrance | 300 yen |
| Hours | 9am - 5pm |
| Nearest station | Komagome |
| Why here | An Edo period walking garden built in 1695, one of the nicest Japanese landscape gardens in Tokyo. Also arguably the best evening sakura illumination in Tokyo. |
Shiba Koen
| Entrance | Free |
| Hours | Round the clock |
| Nearest station | Shiba koen |
| Size | 30 acres |
| No. of cherry trees | Around 70 |
| Why here | Right next to Tokyo Tower and one of the most happening hanami party spots in Tokyo. |
Komazawa Olympic Park
| Entrance | Free |
| Hours | Round the clock |
| Nearest station | Komazawa Daigaku |
| No. of cherry trees | Around 100 |
| Why here | Reasonably large park with a gathering of students from Komazawa University. |
Hamarikyu Garden
| Entrance | 300 yen |
| Hours | 9am - 4.30pm |
| Nearest station | Shiodome |
| Why here | Edo style landscaped garden with a back drop of Shiodome's commercial buildings, and a spectacular evening illumination. |
Kitanomaru Park
| Entrance | Free |
| Hours | Round the clock |
| Nearest station | Kudsnshita, Takebashi |
| Size | 700 meter walk |
| No. of cherry trees | 260 |
| Why here | Though a lesser view than the Chidorigafuchi side of things, Kitanomaru offers more space for hanami parties. |
Hibiya Park
| Entrance | Free |
| Hours | Round the clock |
| Nearest stations | Hibiya, Yurakucho, Kasasigaseki |
| Size | 40 acres |
| No. of cherry trees | Sprinkled around the park |
| Why here | Sandwiched between the Imperial Palace and the Imperial Hotel, this is one of the oldest parks, surrounding a gothic historic building. Not a major hanami party spot but a nice relief in the midst of urban landscapes. |
Kinuta Park
| Entrance | Free |
| Hours | Round the clock |
| Nearest stations | Yōga |
| Size | 96 acres |
| No. of cherry trees | Park dotted by large sakura trees |
| Why here | Well kept secret of the Yōga Station area. Less crowded hanami parties under the canopy. |
Cherry blossom and hanami spots further out from central Tokyo ...
Ōmiya Koen
| Entrance | Free |
| Hours | Round the clock |
| Nearest station | Ōmiya, Ōmiya-kōen |
| Size | 167 acre |
| No. of cherry tree | 1200 |
| Why here | The most loved park by residents of Ōmiya with a nice evening illumination during hanami season. |
Kitazawagawa Path
| Entrance | Free |
| Hours | Round the clock |
| Size | 4.2km path cutting through most of Setagaya ku |
| Why here | A very long pathway over a defunct river, lined with sakura trees with 15 spots for hanami picnics or parties. |
Asukayama Park
| Entrance | Free |
| Hours | Round the clock |
| Nearest station | Ōji |
| No. of cherry trees | Around 600 |
| Why here | 18th century Shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune, decided that there should be a park for public enjoyment, so he started planting a lot of cherry trees in the hope of creating a scenic location for his people. Now, it is the oldest, and perhaps most famous hanami spot in Tokyo, with a spectacular illumination. |
Showa Kinen Koen
| Entrance | 410 yen |
| Hours | 9.30am - 5pm |
| Nearest station | Tachikawa, Nishi Tachikawa |
| Size | Largest park in Tokyo |
| No. of cherry trees | 1500 |
| Why here | Round 2 of the hanami season in Tokyo as the blossoms bloom much later than central spots. |
Takao San (Mt. Takao)
| Entrance | Free |
| Nearest station | Takao, Takaosanguchi |
| Why here | Takaosan Senbouzakura, literally translated as Mt. Takao thousand cherry trees. Spectacular view of Mount Fuji framed by sakura blossoms. Hanami season is later than central Tokyo. |
Happo-en
| Entrance | Free |
| Hours | 10am - 8.30pm |
| Nearest station | Shirokanedai |
| Why here | Nicely landscaped Edo garden dotted with cherry trees. An oasis in the middle of the city. |
Yanaka Cemetery
| Entrance | Free |
| Hours | 8.30am - 5.15pm |
| Nearest station | Nippori |
| Why here | Main path lined with cherry trees, a.k.a Cherry Blossom Avenue. Nice picnic ground enjoyed by locals. |
How have you planned your hanami season for Tokyo 2017? Share your itineraries and what you think are the best places to see cherry blossom!
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