Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo 2025 - A Brief Guide to Hanami Culture & List of Popular Spots

Poste date: Thursday, March 6, 2025

According to the Japan Meteorological Corporation, the forecast for cherry blossoms in Tokyo predicts that they will begin to bloom on March 23 and reach their peak on March 31 in 2025. The estimated dates for cherry blossoms to bloom and reach full bloom are the average year dates for both predictions. In this article, we will introduce the etiquette of Hanami (Cherry blossom parties) in Japan, Cherry blossoms viewing locations and festivals in Tokyo.

We also have many articles covering recommend places in Tokyo including best city views, family-friendly parks, history museums, hiking spots, flea markets, planetariums, and more.

Cherry Blossoms Season in Japan

Hanami, which literally means “flowering viewing” in Japanese, is a time honored tradition in which people gather at scenic locations that are home to cherry blossom trees to admire the blooming of the cherry blossoms. The Hanami season provides a great reason to get out of the office and enjoy some tasty food and drinks with your co-workers or friends. Below are a few suggestions and things to prepare when planning for the perfect Hanami outing.

Some areas are illuminated at night, and visitors can enjoy very beautiful cherry blossoms, called yozakura (cherry blossoms by night).

Finding your spot

The most important part of Hanami is the flowers so you have to select your general location based on that. We’ve detailed some great Hanami spots around Tokyo in the article below. Once you pick your location, you have to actually get a spot. Prime Hanami spots go quickly so you’ll have to arrive first thing in the morning and stake yours out if you want a chance at the most excellent views of flower petals.

The traditional way to claim your spot is to lay out a blue tarp, which you can acquire from many convenience stores (conbini) or else a home supply store. Generally speaking, once you‘ve put it out, it will remain undisturbed until you arrive for your Hanami gathering later that day.

Etiquette at Hanami

While Hanami parties can be quite lively and fun, there are some rules to follow that will make everything go well.

1. BYOB (Bring your own beer)

Hanami parties are best when everyone brings beverages and food. Whether you like beer, wine, sake, green tea or even mugi-cha, it’s always best to bring your own and some to share. As per food, many people bring bento box meals and party foods like Hanami dango. All of these can be purchased at the convenience stores and also in the food courts in the basements of most department stores.

2. Take your own trash.

Hanami draws out huge crowds of people, far more than are out at parks and recreational areas under normal circumstances, and the trash cans are generally not sufficient to support all the rubbish generated by huge Hanami parties. So, bring some trash bags and make sure to carry all your trash off with you and leave the park as pretty as when you arrived.

3. Take your shoes off (when on the blue tarp)

The blue tarps that people set out to mark off their party spaces should be treated like being indoors. In other words, you should take your shoes off if you need to step on a tarp.

4. Have fun!

While Hanami started off as a time for samurai and emperors to sit and placidly contemplate the beauty of nature while listening to haiku praising the sakura (cherry blossoms) that were composed by the court poet, Hanami today is a time for celebrating spring, the start of a new school year, welcoming new recruits to firms, and just generally having a good time.

We hope these pointers will help make your next Hanami party a really fun time. These rules are really more guidelines than anything but keeping them in mind will definitely make the experience enjoyable for all.

Now go watch some flowers!

Tokyo’s Most Popular Cherry Blossom Spots

Below is the list of popular spots for cherry blossom viewing in Tokyo. Rules may vary depending on the venue and some places may not allow consumption of alcohol, laying out picnic sheets, etc. Therefore, it is always best to check the regulations of the park, garden, etc., you intend to visit.

＊Please check the latest announcement on each festival before you visit.

AOYAMA REIEN (AOYAMA CEMETERY)

Aoyama Reien is the first public cemetery in Japan with its history dating back to 1874. It is not only a famous cemetery that is home to numerous graves of people who left a mark in history, but it is also a popular cherry blossom viewing spot in Tokyo. Aoyama Reien is a fantastic place to take a stroll in a peaceful atmosphere while admiring the fleeting beauty of Japanese sakura.

Trees: Over 400, mainly Somei-yoshino in the total area of 26 hectares

Access: 10-minute walk from Gaienmae Station, or Nogizaka Station

Address: 2-32-2 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

ARK HILLS

Behind Suntory Hall at Ark Hills and all along the Spanish Embassy’s wall, 150 Somei Yoshino trees from a 700 meter-long archway of blossoms. While the cherries are full bloom they are lit up from sunset until 10pm. A cherry blossom festival is also held at Ark Hills Karajan Place. The festival is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy some gourmet food, join workshops, and more.

ARK Hills Sakura Festival 2025: March 28 - March 30

Website: https://www.arkhills.com/events/2025/03/0143.html

Trees: 150 Somei-yoshino trees

Access: 1-minute walk from Tameike-Sanno Station, or Roppongi 1-chome Station

Address: Ark Hills, 1-12-32 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo

CHIDORI-GA-FUCHI MOAT

Chidori-ga-fuchi is one of the moats of a former Edo Castle and one of the more famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo. Enjoy a boat ride along the moat, surrounded by cherry trees that are lit up in the evening. Yasukuni Shrine is nearby and you can enjoy cherry blossoms there are well. If you walk a little further, you will be able to get to Higashi-Gyoen (the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace).

Chiyoda Sakura Festival: March 12 - April 23

Website: https://visit-chiyoda.tokyo/sakura/

Trees: About 300, mainly Somei-yoshino

Access: 5-minute walk from Kudanshita Station, or Hanzomon Station

Address: 1-2 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Hama-rikyu Gardens

This beautiful Japanese Garden has been open to the public since 1946. Previously, it had been designated for imperial use. Nowadays, it is an oasis of greenery where you can take a break from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. While Hama-rikyu Gardens does not boast the largest number of sakura trees, it is a beautiful place to enjoy hanami near a seawater pond (the only one in Tokyo) that is home to a teahouse. Please note that the entrance fee is charged.

Trees: About 80

Access: 5-minute walk from Shiodome Station, 7-minute walk from Tsukiji-Shijo Station

Address: 1-1 Hama Rikyu Teien, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

INOKASHIRA PARK

Inokashira Park is a popular hanami destination in Tokyo. Many cherry trees are around the Inokashira pond and there is a boat ride available on the pond. Three different boats are available with different prices. Be prepared for a long wait during the cherry blossoms season.

Trees: About 500

Access: 5-minute walk from Kichijoji Station

Address: 1 Goten-yama, Musashino-shi, Tokyo

MEGURO RIVER

Approximately 880 somei-yoshino bloom 3.8 km from Ikejiri Ohashi Bridge, Naka-Meguro, Meguro and Gotanda along the river. The surface of the river turns pink with all the cherry blossoms that has fallen. During the festival, there are many food stalls offering foods and drinks making it a fantastic place to enjoy viewing cherry blossoms in a festive atmosphere.

East area sakura festival: March 30 - March 31 (The information is for 2024)

Website: https://megurosakurafes.wixsite.com/site

Trees: About 880

Access: Along Meguro River (Nakameguro Station, Ikejiri-ohashi Station, Meguro Station etc.)

SHIBAKOEN / ZOJO-JI TEMPLE

A nice place to visit with the temple and Tokyo Tower as a backdrop to the beautiful cherry trees in bloom. Such landmarks, also make it a very photogenic spot. As a matter of fact, Zojo-ji Temple was founded in 1393 and relocated to its current site in 1598. It also houses tombs of 6 shoguns of Tokugawa clan.

Trees: About 100

Access: 3-minute walk from Onarimon Station, 5-minute walk from Daimon Station

Address: 4-7-35 Shiba Koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo

SHINJUKU GYOEN

Located near the shopping district of Shinjuku, Shinjuku Gyoen is a large garden covering 58 hectares. The sheer variety of trees and its number make it a must-visit place for cherry blossom viewing in Tokyo. However, if you are planning a hanami party with alcohol, you may need to look elsewhere as drinking alcohol is prohibited there. Please note that the entrance fee is charged.

Trees: 75 types and more than 1,500 trees, including the Yaezakura (double-blossoming cherry tree)

Access: 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Gyoen Station, or Sendagaya Station

Address: 11 Naito-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

SUMIDA PARK

This is one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo. The park has about a 1-kilometer row of trees along the Sumida river on the side of Taito-ku. There is also a park across the river in Sumida-ku where there is a Sakura Matsuri in April.

Cherry Blossom Festival: March 16 - April 6

Website: https://www.city.taito.lg.jp/event/kanko/sumidasakuramatsuri.html

Trees: More than 1,000

Access: 2-minute walk from Asakusa Station

Address: Sumida Park, on the banks of the Sumida River near Asakusa

UENO PARK

This park in Tokyo not only has 1,200 cherry trees, but also features historical, art museum, shrine, pond, and zoo. In Sakura season, many people have parties in the evening, so it’s recommended that you go in daytime if you prefer a quiet atmosphere.

Cherry Blossom Festival: March 16 - April 7 (The information is for 2024)

Website: https://www.enjoytokyo.jp/event/419089/

Ueno Sakura Festa: March 22 - March 31 (The information is for 2024)

Various events will be held at Take no Tsudoi Hiroba (Fountain Square) in Ueno Onshi Park. More than 50 shops will gather!

Website: https://ueno.or.jp/sakurafes2024/

Trees: About 1,200

Access: 2-3 minutes walk from Ueno Station

Address: 5-20 Ueno Koen, Taito-ku, Tokyo

YASUKUNI SHRINE

This shrine is famous for the three cherry trees which are the standard by which the Meteorological Agency announces the official timing of cherry blossoms blooming in Tokyo. There is a Sakura Matsuri at the beginning of April. About 300,000 people attend and there are a lot of street stalls. Also check out the many cherry blossoms that line the nearby Imperial Palace moat.

Chiyoda Sakura Festival: March 12 - April 23

Website: https://visit-chiyoda.tokyo/sakura/

Trees: About 600

Access: 3-minute walk from Kudanshita Station

Address: 3-1-1 Kudan-kita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

YOYOGI PARK

Yoyogi Park is one of the most popular cherry blossoms viewing destinations in Tokyo. It is conveniently located in Central Tokyo near Harajuku and Omotesando area with its shopping. Surrounded by beautiful cherry blossoms, many visitors enjoy having a picnic there.

Trees: About 600

Access: 3-minute walk from Yoyogikoen Station, 5-minute walk from Harajuku Station

Address: 2-1 Yoyogi-Kamisono-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

KOISHIKAWA KORAKUEN

The history of Koishikawa Korakuen dates back to 1629, making it the oldest daimyo garden (daimyo teien) still present in Tokyo. It is home to a few shidarezakura (weeping cherry) trees, which bloom about one week earlier than the most common type of cherry blossom trees - somei yoshino. Please note that laying out picnic sheets and bringing alcohol is not allowed. The entrance fee is charged.

Trees: About 30

Access: 5-minute walk from Suidobashi Station, 6-minute walk from Korakuen Station, 3-minute walk from Iidabashi Station

Address: 1-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo

TOKYO MIDTOWN

At Tokyo Midtown, you can take a walk along a road lined with cherry blossom trees. At its event "Midtown Blossom", you can enjoy foods, drinks. In the evening, cherry blossoms get illuminated creating a magical atmosphere making it a fantastic place to visit after sunset.

Midtown Blossom: March 14 - April 13

Website: https://www.tokyo-midtown.com/jp/event/6898/

Trees: About 100

Access: Directly connected to Roppongi Station, about 3-minute walk from Nogizaka Station

Address: 9-7-1, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo

ROPPONGI SAKURAZAKA

This short street is lined with sakura trees of somei-yoshino variety. It is a pleasant walk between Azabujuban area and Roppongi Hills, which are great places in Tokyo to explore for shopping, gourmet food, etc.

Trees: 75 (Somei-yoshino)

Access: About 6-minute walk from Roppongi Station

Address: From 12 and 16-6 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

HOTEL CHINZANSO TOKYO

At Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, you will find about 100 sakura trees of as many as 20 sorts. Its "Sakura Sea of Cloud" creates a magical atmosphere with mist and lights making for an unforgettable cherry blossom viewing experience. Entry to the hotel's garden is exclusive to customers who use its facilities.

Sakura Sea of Clouds: February 7-April 13

Website: https://hotel-chinzanso-tokyo.com/page/spring/

Trees: About 100

Access: About 10-minute walk from Edogawabashi Station or 20-minute walk from Waseda Station

Address: 2-10-8 Sekiguchi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo