Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo 2024 - A Brief Guide to Hanami Culture & List of Popular Spots

Poste date: Friday, March 15, 2024

According to the Japan Meteorological Corporation, the forecast for cherry blossoms in Tokyo predicts that they will begin to bloom on March 24 and reach their peak on March 31. The estimated date for cherry blossoms to bloom and reach full bloom is two days earlier than the average year 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.

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. Also, for 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

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

Aoyama REIEN (AOYAMA CEMETARY)

There is an antique market in Nogi Jinja (Nogi Shrine) which is about 10-minute walk from Nogizaka station. It is held on second Sundays every month exept November.

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.

Cherry Blossom Festival: April 5 - April 7

Website: https://www.roppongihills.com/en/events/2024/04/0282.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 PARK

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 22 - April 2

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 ONSHI-TEIEN

This beautiful Japanese Garden is kept by charging entrance fee to keep the crowds down.

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

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 in cherry blossoms season.

Trees: About 630

Access: 5-minute walk from Kichijoji Station

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

MEGURO RIVER

Approximately 880 someiyoshino 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.

East area sakura festival: March 30 - March 31

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 as a backdrop to the beautiful cherry trees in bloom.

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

This garden near the shopping district of Shinjuku has many types of cherry and plum trees.

At Shinjuku Gyoen, during specific dates for cherry blossom viewing season (March 23rd (Sat), 24th (Sun), 30th (Sat), 31st (Sun), April 6th (Sat), 7th (Sun)) from 10:00 to 16:00, a reservation system will be implemented for congestion alleviation and accident prevention.

During this period, it is necessary to purchase a specified date and time electronic ticket or apply for a specified date and time reservation ticket in advance. Those who do not have an electronic ticket or advance reservation ticket will not be allowed to enter.

Reservations are not required for dates other than the specified dates (10:00 to 16:00) from March 23rd to April 7th.

Website: https://shinjukugyoen.hp.peraichi.com/jp (Japanese)

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 and a monthly antique market.

Cherry Blossom Festival: March 17 - April 7

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 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

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

Ueno Sakura Festa: March 22 - March 31

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 22 - April 2

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

Sakurano-sono (cherry blossom garden) is beautiful. It is located between the South gate and the Shibuya gate. There is a lot of space to wander around. A flea market is held every month.

Trees: About 100

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

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