UPDATE: Due to the 2020 coronavirus, some of the festivities and events for Japan’s cherry blossom season have been cancelled.
See Tokyo’s World-Famous Cherry Blossoms
e’re finally at winter’s end here in Japan and it’s time for another annual event – the season of cherry blossoms!
Each year Japan celebrates the calling of spring with the anticipation of its cherry blossoms blooming. Everywhere you look there’s a fresh lineup of local events to attend, and of course, a variety of limited edition food items and goods for sale to really get you into the spirit of the season.
As the symbol of spring, Japan’s cherry blossoms have always amassed fascination and admiration from locals and travelers making it the must-see event of the season.
But don’t just see it through the lens of a tourist passing by simply because you’re traveling. Why not make it a little more special by enjoying a little R&R and treat yourself to a day of picnics, sunshine and festival hopping just like the locals do!
Here, we’ll introduce you to the seasonal event of cherry blossom viewing in Japan and how to get the best out of the experience!
The Importance of Cherry Blossoms in Japan
When people say “Japan” and “cherry blossoms” in the same sentence I’m always thrown back to Ken Watanabe’s lines from “The Last Samurai”:
“The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life.”
“Like these blossoms, we are all dying. To know life in every breath, every cup of tea, every life we take.”
Yes, it’s deeply Zen poetic and it perfectly reflects how deep Japan’s attachment to these flowers are. Their short life echoes the traditional wabi-sabi culture of appreciating life’s impermanence as beauty but changes with their arrival in spring as a sign of new beginnings.
These flowering trees also hold significant milestones for high school and university students where they must say goodbye to their final year and start their inevitable transition into life’s next stage.
In short, celebrating cherry blossoms is also celebrating that all things good must end but to always look forward to the next time we see them again.
When does Cherry Blossom Season Begin
ust like checking the weather forecast before heading out, Japan’s meteorological corporation has a national cherry blossom blooming forecast based on the standard pale pink cherry blossom with five small petals.
Although the meteorological corporation’s starting dates are a great help to plan your plane flight, it’s also important to know their predictions can be, at times, misleading. If you arrive too early, you’ll see more closed buds than flowers but wait too late and you’ll see more green leaves than flowers. For me, more importantly,
their date predictions on when trees will be in full bloom will guarantee you an unforgettable sight of the cherry blossoms and take out the guessing work.
Also, take note that the first month of spring still brings strong winds and the rare typhoon which can spoil the blooming season’s longevity. But don’t fret! There are other kinds of cherry blossoms with varying shapes and intensities in colour which bloom later to enjoy should you miss the early blooming time. See this article for more details.
Image Credit: Japan Wireless
5 MUST-SEE CHERRY BLOSSOM SPOTS IN TOKYO
1. Ueno
eno Park during cherry blossoms season brings big crowds of people setting up their picnic spot but don’t let that discourage you!
Ueno offers a nice glimpse into Tokyo living and also a peek at the gorgeous spreads salarymen companies prepare for their workers. During the evening, the park lights
up their trees with lanterns to continue the festivities into the night.
You can also take advantage of the nearby attractions such as Ueno Zoo, Ameyoko, and other shopping streets, the local temples for some sightseeing and it’s also an easy stroll to Akihabara.
Access: Next to Ueno Station.
2. Nakameguro
Take advantage of what’s in Nakameguro and enjoy the boutique shopping, international food scene, and great bars.
Access: Ikejiri-Ohashi, Meguro, or Naka-Meguro Station.
3. SHINJUKU GYOEN
he “Manhattan Central Park” of Shinjuku you could say, this spacious and peaceful oasis in the middle of Tokyo’s liveliest business district has around 1,100 cherry blossom trees.
Entrance to Shinjuku Gyoen is ¥200 and offers a unique opportunity to get up close and personal as their cherry blossom varieties “Weeping Cherry” and “Tokyo Cherry”
are so large, their branches span wide and touch the ground. It’s a great photo spot and you can move freely around the branches making it feel like you’re intertwined in its flowers.
Access: A short walk from Shinjukugyoenmae Station, Sendagaya Station or Shinjuku-sanchōme Station
Photo by Banter Snaps on Unsplash
Photo by Blake Cheek on Unsplash
4. INOKASHIRA PARK
oving a little further from Central Tokyo’s CBD, Inokashira Park is located in the ever cool neighbourhood of Kichijoji. The park is quite big and large enough to fit a pond, a petting zoo, and an aquarium within the grounds!
The crowds, especially young couples, during cherry blossom particularly enjoy the swan boat and boat rides but be warned. Local legend has it that the jealous goddess
Benzaiten curses couples who ride the boats to break up soon after.
Regardless of the tale, Inokashira Park is a great location for a cozy weekend. Enjoy the live street performances, artist market and it’s also a short walk to the Ghibli Museum.
Access: A short walk from Kichijoji Station.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
5. NAKANO
lthough not an overly touristy location, Nakano has many cherry blossoms which line the main street which leads conveniently to the ward’s locally run sakura festival at Arai Yakushi Temple.
The sakura festival is a must visit since it’s a great way to experience a typical Japanese matsuri-style festival that mainly occurs in the summer. You’ll see lots of people dressed in yukata and the food and entertainment are great for those casual
evenings out.
The area is also a nice mixture of laid back old school charm mixed with an Akihabara otaku vibe since Nakano is home to Nakano Broadway, a hobby enthusiast’s paradise.
Access: A short walk from Nakano Station.
REMEMBER: Do not harm the cherry blossoms by snapping branches or plucking flowers still on the trees and don’t leave your trash behind.
What to do During the Season
1. Sakura Festival
robably my favourite thing to do during cherry blossom season, there’s nothing like the sound and energy of a festival to get you into the spirit of things and sakura festivals offer great entertainment both traditional and modern.
During sakura festivals, and depending on where you visit, there are many types of performances to see other than the usual live music and dance acts. Venturing to
more local neighbourhood areas like Nakano, you can enjoy local fanfare like carnival games and see local talent shows while more international areas like Nakameguro have a more western vibe and offers foreign treats like mulled wine, sangria, German beers, and sausages to enjoy mixed with traditional performances such as buyō (a traditional performing art similar to kabuki theatre).
Playing traditional matsuri games at Nakano Sakura Festival
Tasty treats at Nakameguro Sakura Festival
View this post on Instagram
2. Hanami Party
pend a unique day enjoying the local scene by setting up your blue tarp mat having a picnic under the shadow of a billowing flower tree. Hanami or “flower viewing” is a popular picnic event where people enjoy eating and drinking while viewing flowers. Although there are no “rules” to doing hanami right, there are a few staples to the activity which every local seems to follow:
The Essentials for Hanami
-
THE FOOD: Lunch Boxes, Side Dishes, Snacks, and Yes, Alcohol
Wondering what a typical hanami spread looks like?
Although homemade obento boxes are popular, hanami food is generally store-bought for convenience. The food (even obento boxes) are shared amongst everyone and include extra sweet or savoury snacks as some hanami parties can last until the evening if planned.
Some popular food ideas include karaage, lunch boxes, sandwiches, onigiri (rice balls), takoyaki, yakisoba, hanami dango, sakura mochi, and fruit.
Another fun thing to do is to cheers the arrival of spring with a drink in hand. During the festivities, it is legal to drink alcohol openly in public areas and you can also find drink stands that sell chilled cans of beer should you forget yours. So grab your chuhai, beer or wine and kanpai!
Where to Purchase: convenience stores and local supermarkets like Maruetsu, Peacock or Seiyu.
-
FOR SITTING: Picnic sheets and sitting cushions
With the chaos of multiple hanami parties happening around you, space will get very tight fast.
Forget about setting up the tables and chairs and do as many other people do and simply spread out a tarpaulin mat on the ground to enjoy your picnic party.
Unfortunately, the ground may be hard and uneven, so I recommend buying inexpensive sitting cushions from the 100 yen store to help feel more comfortable.
Also, don’t forget to take your shoes off before sitting down! The no-dirty-shoes-allowed rule also applies here too.
Where to Purchase: convenience stores, local supermarkets, and 100 yen stores.
-
FOR EATING: Paper Plates, Disposable Cutlery, and Tissues
Just like with any other party having extra plates and cutlery will come in handy especially with bigger groups. Another pro tip is to bring some wet wipes or “oshibori” for when it’s hard to locate a convenient way to wash your hands or clean up spills.
Where to Purchase: convenience stores, local supermarkets, and 100 yen stores.
-
FOR FUN: GAMES
Looking at flowers all day is nice and all but you can really liven up a party with some games to play as well.
Simple party card games can be found at the 100 yen stores and offer an interesting insight to the childhood of Japanese locals or, something more familiar like Cards Against Humanity or Uno and you’ll ensure everyone has a riot for hours on end.
Where to Purchase: 100 yen stores, Bic Camera, Yellow Submarine and Don Quixote.
-
THE CLEAN UP: Garbage Bags
Just as pretty as the cherry blossoms are on the tree, keeping the environment clean and tidy is also expected of everyone as much as possible.
Do the right thing and trash your garbage responsibly by saving time and effort and separate bottles, burnable garbage, and non-burnable garbage in bags before taking them to the designated garbage area.
A stylish homemade picnic obento
View this post on Instagram
A special cherry blossom beer
View this post on Instagram
3. Enjoy Spring with Cherry Blossom Flavoured Treats
id you know that cherry blossoms are also edible?
Although I am not the greatest fan of the taste as I think it’s too similar to a soap fragrance many cherry blossom foodstuffs mixes fruit flavours like strawberry, peach or cherry to sweeten its flavour.
The most popular limited edition item to get would be the Starbucks sakura edition frappuccino or latte that’s only available in Japan but do venture around to taste all the shops have to offer.
You can also buy cherry blossom tea, chocolates, and alcohol that’ll make great souvenirs.
4. Night Illuminations (Yozakura)
eeing flowers during the day is not the only time the locals go to see these pretty flowers. Yozakura or “night cherry blossom” is a common nighttime event for locals to enjoy the sight of these flowers lit up like glowing clouds.
The best places to head for yozakura are Chidorigafuchi Park, Rikugien Garden, Nakameguro and Ueno for their impressive displays.
Ueno Park at Night
Nakameguro at Night
Photo by Sora Sagano on Unsplash
Chidorigafuchi Park During the Day
View this post on Instagram
- Unlimited travel to anywhere in Japan affordably using the JR Pass! Pre-purchase a 7 day, 14 day or 21 day here before leaving Japan.
- Get affordable unlimited 4G WiFi for Japan for less than AUD$11
Need a place to stay in Tokyo? Search for accommodation using the widget below:
- View the sea of clouds at Kurumayama Shrine during sunrise
- Discover one of the best places to View Mount Fuji
- Explore Japanese mythology at The Spring of the Gods with this Day Guide to Oshino Hakkai
How beautiful! Spring is my fave season~
xoxo, Vanessa
http://www.WhatWouldVWear.com
Thanks for stopping by Vanessa!
–
Siree
Such an amazing atmosphere. Delicate cheery blossoms enhance an Asian flair and are one of the wonderful delights of spring (and spring represents new beginnings)
https://lelandwestcover.wordpress.com/
Thanks for stopping by!
–
Siree
Wow, this is such a great guide to seeing cherry blossoms in Tokyo! I love all the beautiful photos, and the information is so helpful! Thanks for sharing!
http://roadesque.com
Thanks Valerie!
–
Siree
I love the idea of Sakura-Starbucks!
Thanks for stopping by Chief!
–
Siree
Wow this is amazing. Wish I was visiting Japan this time of year. Would love to see the cherry blossoms in person and feel the energy of the Sakura festival.
Xx
Nikki
http://www.nikkilivinglife.com
Thanks for stopping by Nikki! Yes, sakura festivals are so much fun! Hope you can experience them one day soon :)
–
Siree
Aww those spring photos are so beautiful, I just love how everything is blooming, and you catched the moment so well.
https://www.SatinOfLux.com | Fashion Blog | by Dessy Markova
https://satinoflux.com/overdressed-styling/
Thank you! :)
–
Siree
So beautiful. I only saw them in Miyajima, Hiroshima and Kyoto. I’d love to see them in Tokyo! Love this guide.
Xo,
Miki
http://mikialamode.com
Thanks Miki!
Oh I would love to see them in Kyoto. Kansai has a lot of beautiful scenery.
–
Siree
[…] The ultimate spring guide to seeing Tokyo’s Cherry Blossoms. […]