100 Places to See Cherry Blossom in Japan: Kanto
The blossoms have arrived in the capital to the delight of Japan's urban populace, all ready to let their hair down at the annual office hanami.
If you’re in Tokyo when the sakura blooms, lucky you — it’s a time when the capital is at its most joyous. Catch the contagious sakura fever and enjoy. Blossom estimate based on the latest prediction.
Kanto
Tokyo (March 21 ~)
Shinjuku Gyoen
It’s easy to see why Shinjuku Gyoen regularly makes the ranking for must-go cherry blossom places in Tokyo. Over 65 kinds of 1,100 cherry blossom trees decorate this oasis in the heart of Tokyo’s busiest district, covering the park in all kinds of pink. Hanami here is an elegant affair (no booze allowed). Bring your plushest tarp.
Get there
5 mins walk from Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Shinjuku Gyoen Station
Ueno Park
Ueno Park is popular all year long, but it is exceptionally so during the spring season. The cherry blossoms at Ueno Park have been renowned since the Edo Period, and currently over 1,200 cherry blossom trees welcome thousands of visitors every year. Expect crowds but a great atmosphere.
Get there
5 mins walk from JR Ueno station/Tokyo Metro Hibiya-Ueno station
Sumida Park
Sumida Park cherry blossoms.
Experience the city’s most historical hanami at Sumida Park, where the cherry blossoms were first planted by the 8th shogun Yoshimitsu Tokunaga in the Edo Period. Over 640 cherry blossom trees bloom along the Sumida river, making a truly romantic scene with the Tokyo Skytree in the background. Want to be real traditional? Board a traditional yakatabune boat and see the bloom from the river.
Get there
5 mins walk from Isezaki Line/Ginza Line Asakusa Station
Inokashira Park
A total of 500 cherry blossom trees bloom in pink at this picturesque park, offering the perfect selfie spot from a swan boat on the river. Cherry blossoms start to bloom from mid-March making it a popular spot for an early, if chilly, hanami party.
Get there
1 minute walk from Keio Inokashira line Inokashira Park station
Koganei Park
Over 1,700 cherry blossom trees at Koganei Park attracting thousands of people daily during the cherry blossom season. The sakura festival, with a history that traces back 60 years, is especially well-known and well-loved by locals.
Get there
5 mins by Seibu bus from JR Musashi Koganei station, get off at Koganei Park West Exit
Rikugien
A historical park that has roots all the way back to the Tokugawa family, Rikugien is famed for its 15-meter-tall and 20-meter-wide shidarezakura tree. The beautiful light up during the night is a perfect spot to bring your date to. If you’re going solo – be warned, this place is couple central.
Get there
2 mins walk from JR Komagome station
Meguro River
Winding its way through Setagaya, Meguro, and Shinagawa, the Meguro River is one of the city’s most popular cherry blossom viewing spots. Over 800 cherry blossom trees brighten the riverside in spring. It’s most magical as the petals start to fall, turning the river pale pink.
Get there
2 mins walk from Nakameguro station (Tokyu Toyoko Line, Hibiya Line)
Kanagawa (March 20 ~)
Odawara Castle
Chosen among the top 100 sakura places by the Japan Sakura Association (who clearly know what they’re talking about), the 320 cherry blossom trees that bloom behind Odawara Castle is a sight you will not want to miss if you’re in the area. During the sakura watching season, dainty japanese lanterns will be lit up during the night to create the most Instagrammable picture ever.
Get there
10 minutes walk from JR Odakyu Odawara Line Odawara station East exit
Kinugasayama Park
The view from the observation deck at Kinugasayama Park is pretty special; in addition to the 2000 cherry blossom trees, enjoy the view of Mount Fuji, Umihotaru, Landmark Tower, Monkey Island and Boso Hanto all at once. Another totally Instagram-worthy photo op.
Get there
30 mins by walk from JR Kinugasa station
Sankeien Garden
This renowned Japanese garden is a perfect location to rewind and bask in oh-so traditional Japanese aesthetics. The delicate pink colors, the borrowed scenery, the smell of spring – it’s like being inside a haiku.
Get there
3 mins walk from Honmoku Sankeien Mae by City Bus 8/148 from Motomachi Chukagai
Sagamiko Resort
Sagamiko Resort is known for its illumination during the winter holiday season, but in the spring, it’s a whole new wonderful sight with over 2,500 cherry blossom trees blooming across the wide resort. Don’t miss out on the Sakura Festival accompanied by the spring version of the illuminations at night.
Get there
Bus to Mikage from JR Sagamiko station, get off at Pleasure Forest Mae
Atsugi Iiyama Hakusan Park
The sakura festival at the park is a festival like no other. Enjoy the panorama view of the 3,000 cherry blossom trees. If that wasn’t enough, the cherry blossom tunnel on the way to the large Buddhist statue of the Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) is a whole new marvel. Drums, dancing, and music will be hosted at the venue.
Get there
Take the bus to Kami-iiyama/Miyagase leaving Hon-atsugi station, get off at Tateyama Kannonmae Stop
Miyagino Hayakawa River
A perfect place to take a walk, day or night, along the 600-meter-long sakura road. Admire the blossoms as you stroll up and down, and don’t forget to pack a picnic!
Get there
Take the bus from JR/Odakyu Line Odawara station to Togendai, get off at Miyagino 3 mins walk
Manazuru Arai Castle Ruins
If you’re looking for a less tourist-filled location to chill on a nice spring day, then Manazuru Castle Park is the right place for you. Just 22 shidarezakura trees bloom to create a delicate display that properly encompasses the fleeting beauty of the sakura season.
Get there
3 mins walk from Manazuru station
Chiba (Northern: March 25 ~; Southern: March 20 ~)
Mobara Park
Making the the top 100 cherry blossom spots list, Mobara park boasts around 2,850 someiyoshino cherry trees gathered around Benten Lake. Dont miss out on the sakura festival with lots of fun music and events.
Get there
10 mins by bus from JR Mobara station to Chonan, get off at Sogenji, 5 mins walk
Naritasan Park
Naritasan may be best known for its February bean throwing event, but springtime there deserves just as much limelight. 3.5 times bigger than Tokyo Dome, the park is joyously filled with pink blossoms. Make sure to head up to Narita Shinshoji Temple at the top of the hill, where the Great Pagoda of Peace stands.
Get there
Tourist bus to Naritasan Gate from JR Narita station, 5 minutes walk from Naritasan Gate stop
Tateyama Castle Park
On sunny days, the perfect peak of Mount Fuji can be observed from the park which, with the cherry blossoms surrounding Tateyama Castle in the foreground, creates a totally iconic Japan scene.
Get there
30 mins walk from JR Tateyama station
Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi
Beloved by Tokyoites since the Edo Period, Sakuratsutsumi brings thousands of visitors from the city out to the countryside of Saitama every year to see the blooming sakura road. The cherry blossoms are lit up from 6pm to 9pm.
Get there
5 minutes walk from JR Kumagaya station
Gongendo Park
Gogendo park is well known for a variety of flowers every season, and in the spring you can enjoy not only cherry blossom trees but the colorful bloom of rapeseed flowers too.
Get there
Take the Asahi Bus from Tobu Nikko Line Satte station headed to Gokamachi Yakuba, get off at Gongento stop
More info
Omiya Park
The most popular park in Saitama, the spring season at Omiya park is great for families as the 1,000 cherry blossom trees are spread all throughout the wide park, meaning there’s enough space to relax for everyone.
Get there
10 mins walk from Tobu Urban Park Line Omiya Park station or Kita-Omiya station
Gunma
Akagi Nanmen Senbonzakura
The fun sakura festival here includes a stage performance of traditional local dance, lots of shopping for local goodies, and marveling at the special “sakura zone” where over 35 kinds of cherry blossom trees strut their stuff.
Get there
Take the Furusato Bus (reservation basis) from Jomo Railway Ohgo station
Kezoji Park
One of the top parks in town since the Meiji Era, the park remains an adored location among tourists and locals, with a grand flower festival held in the springtime. At night, lanterns light up the cherry blossom trees for some romantic scenery that’s best marveled at from the top of the park’s ferris wheel.
Get there
Take the City owned bus from JR/Tobu Isesaki line Isesaki Station, get off at Kezoji Koen.
Tochigi (March 25 ~)
Nikko Kaido Road
The 16-kilometer Nikko Kaido road is lined with around 1,500 yamazakura cherry blossom trees that form a tunnel all the way to Nikko City.
Get there
Take the bus to Imaichi/Nikko Toshogun, to Ishinada, or to Sannodanchi leaving JR Utsunomiya station, get off at Kamitomatsuri 4-chome stop
Ibaraki (March 26 ~)
Shizumine Furusato Park
Built in 1965, Shizumine Furusato Park is a park known for its yaezakura cherry blossoms, of which there are around 2,100 trees.
Get there
30 mins walk from JR Shizu station