Top 5 places to admire cherry blossom in Tokyo
Cherry Blossom is in full bloom in Tokyo now!
Here are the top 5 places to admire Cherry Blossom in Tokyo, voted by the local Japanese!
1. Meguro River 目黒川
Cherry Blossoms decorate the Meguro River from Setagaya-ku, for about 8km through Meguro-ku to Shinagawa-ku. The walk from Nakameguro station to Meguro station is peppered with approximately 800 Japanese Yoshino trees blooming on both sides of the river, from Ikejiri Ohashi Bridge to Kamogawa Bridge (Shinagawa Ward) under the Tokyu Meguro Line. Although there is not a big park, there is a footpath to guide your walk along the river. Night Cherry Blossom viewing is also very popular in this area.
Address: 3-1 Higashiyama, Meguronto Shimoeguro
Transport: [Train] Tōkyū Tōyoko Line/ Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line to Nakameguro station and walk 2 minutes/
JR Meguro Station and walk 5 minutes
Price: Free
2. Chidori-ga-fuchi 千鳥ヶ淵公園
This is one of the most significant spots for cherry blossoms in Tokyo. Located between Chidori-ga-fuchi on the west side of the Imperial Palace and the British Embassy, there are about 170 cherry trees blooming, including Yoshino and Yamazakura. Many visitors walk through the park every day, including businessmen who stop on their way to work and couples who enjoy cherry blossoms. The reflection of cherry blossoms on the surface of the water is absolutely splendid.
Address: 1-2 Kojimachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo/ 2 Ichibancho
Transportation: [Train] Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, Hanzomon Line, Toei Shinjuku Line to Kudanshita Station and walk 5 minutes
Price: Free
3. Rikugi-en, Bunkyo-ku 六義園の桜
The 5th Tokugawa Shogun built Toyko’s most beautiful Japanese landscape garden more than 70 years ago. The famous Rikugien cherry blossom landmark stands about 15m high and about 20m wide, with blooms like a waterfall where the beautiful pink flowers delicately cascade toward the ground. Is is well worth seeing this spectacle lit up at night.
Opening time: 9:00～17:00
Cherry Blossom Light up period (till 16/3 – 6/4/2017) closes at 21:00, no entry 30 minutes before the park close
Address: 6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo, Tokyo
Transportation: JR Komagome Station and walk 2 minutes
Entry price: 300 Yen (Standard ), 150 Yen ( Aged 65 above )
4. Koishikawa Kōrakuen Garden 小石川後楽園の桜
This is one of the oldest and best preserved parks in Tokyo, which started to be built in 1629 during the Edo Period. The design of the garden is hugely influenced by the West Lake in Hangzhou. You can enjoy a variety of cherry blossoms, including Yoshino and the rare Curcuma. The park is also popular for maple tree viewing in autumn.
Opening time: 9:00 – 17:00
18/03/2017 – 05/04/2017: 9:00 – 18:00 (No entry 30minutes before the park close)
Address: 1-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo, Tokyo
Transportation: [Train] Oedo Line -Lidabashi station and walk for 3 minutes
Price: 300 Yen (Standard), Free (Children)
5. Ueno Park (Night view) 上野恩賜公園
The Ueno Park is a well known cherry blossom viewing spot dating from the Edo period, whee people can fully enjoy nature throughout all the four seasons. It is said that the cherry trees were transplanted from Yoshino Mountain by Amemi Amami, and the more than 1,000 trees gives the garden an incredible colour, with the blooms lining its central pathway. The park attracts large numbers of Hanami parties.
Opening time: 5:00～23:00
Address: 5-20 Uneokoen, Taito, Tokyo
Transportation: [Train] JR Ueno station by Ginza Line, Akagi line, Hitachi- Tokiwa, Akita Shinkansen, Hibiya line, Hokurika-Shinkansen, Joban Line, Joetsu Shinkansen, Keihintohoku Line, Odoriko
Price: Free