TokyoHaneda.com

Cherry Blossom Viewing

It's spring time, the much awaited season where most people look forward to and hoping the bitter cold winter would end soon. The sight of Sakura, or Cherry Blossoms, would send a sense of relief knowing that the long winter is now over.

Cherry blossom season typically takes place around mid-March to end-March. Everyone would go out for a hanami (cherry blossom viewing) walk or pinic. It is said that the tradition started in the Nara Period (710-794) as an event for nobles who wanted to copy the Chinese tradition of plum viewing. Ever since, Japanese people have been celebrating the arrival of spring by appreciating the cherry blossoms with family and friends.

One aspect of life in Japan that shows how important hanami is for Japanese people is that specific dates when cherry blossom will bloom throughout Japan, often dubbed sakura zensen(cherry blossom front), had been calculated by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Although the government agency stopped this service, private weather forecast organisations continue to calculate the date independently.

Meguro Riverside in Meguro ward, Tokyo
Nearest stations: Ikejiriohashi Sta. (Tokyo Denentoshi Line)
Nakameguro Sta. (Tokyo Toyoko Line and Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
Admission: free / Night time viewing

Senzokuike Park in Ota ward, Tokyo
Nearest station: Senzokuike Sta. (Tokyo Ikegami Line)
Admission: free / Night time viewing

Tamagawadai Park in Ota ward, Tokyo
Nearest station: Tamagawa Sta. (Tokyo Toyoko, Tamagawa Line)
Admission: free / Night time viewing

Chidorigafuchi in Chiyoda ward, Tokyo
Nearest stations: Kudanshita Sta. (Tokyo Metro Tozai, Hanzomon Line; Toei Shinjuku Line)
Hanzomon Sta. (Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line)
Admission: free / Night time viewing

Yasukuni Shrine in Chiyoda ward, Tokyo
Nearest station: Kudanshita Sta. (Tokyo Metro Tozai, Hanzomon Line; Toei Shinjuku Line)
Admission: free / Night time viewing

Shinagawa Kumin Park in Shinagawa ward, Tokyo
Nearest stations: Tachiaigawa Sta. (Keihin Kyuko Line); Omori Kaigan Sta. (Keihin Kyuko Line)
Opening hours: 09:00 - 20:30
Admission: free / Night time viewing

Tokyo Midtown in Minato ward, Tokyo
Nearest station: Roppongi Sta. (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line; Toei Oedo Line)
Admission: free / Night time viewing

Roppongi Hills in Minato ward, Tokyo
Nearest station: Roppongi Sta. (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line; Toei Oedo Line)
Admission: free / Night time viewing (Mori Garden: 17:30-23:00)

Shinjuku Gyoen in Shinjuku ward, Tokyo
Nearest stations: Shinjuku Gyoen-mae Sta. (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line); Sendagaya Sta. (JR Sobu Line)
Opening hours: 09:00-16:30, last admission 16:00
Admission fee: 200yen for adults, 50yen for children.

Hamarikyu Garden in Chuo ward, Tokyo
Nearest stations: Tsukiji-shijo Sta. (Toei Oedo Line); Shiodome Sta. (Toei Oedo Line; Yurikamome Line)
Admission fee: 300yen for adults and high school students, 150yen for senior citizens.
Nighttime viewing (April 1-5, 16-20, last admission 20:30)

Ueno Park in Taito ward, Tokyo
Nearest station: Ueno Sta. (JR Lines; Tokyo Metro Ginza, Hibiya Line; Keisei Line)
Admission: free / Night time viewing

Asukayama Park in Kita ward, Tokyo
Nearest station: Oji Sta. (JR Keihin Tohoku Line; Tokyo Metro Namboku Line)
Admission: free / Night time viewing

Sumida Park (Taito ward, Tokyo/Sumida ward, Tokyo)
Nearest station: Asakusa Sta. (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line; Toei Asakusa Line; Tobu Isesaki Line)
Admission: free / Night time viewing

Kinuta Park in Setagaya ward, Tokyo
Nearest station: Yoga Sta. (Tokyu Denentoshi Line)
Admission: free / Night time viewing

Inokashira Park in Musashino City
Nearest stations: Kichijoji Sta. (JR Chuo Line, Keio Inokashira Line); Inokashira Koen Sta. (Keio Inokashira Line)
Admission: free / Night time viewing

Koganei Park in Koganei City
Nearest station: Hanakoganei Sta. (Seibu Shinjuku Line); Higashikoganei Sta. (JR Chuo Line)
15-20min on foot from either station or take a bus to Koganei Koen Nishiguchi from Hanakoganei station.
Admission: free / Night time viewing

Jindai Botanical Park in Chofu City
Nearest station: Tsutsujigaoka Sta. (Keio Line)
15min on foot or take a bus to Jindaji Shokubutsu Koen-mae from the station.
Admission fee: 500yen for adults, 250yen for senior citizens, 200yen for junior high school students.
Opening hours: 09:30-17:00, last admission 16:30
Nighttime viewing (until 20:00, last admission 19:00, March 27-28, April 3-4 only)

Showa Memorial Park in Tachikawa City
Nearest station: Nishi Tachikawa Sta. (JR Ome Line)
Opening hours: 09:30-17:00 for weekday, 09:30-18:00 for weekends and holidays.