Pretty in pink of sights all around! Japan is pretty spectacular during cherry blossom season (Mid March – Early April). I’m pretty biased when it comes to Japan – one of my best friends is Japanese. So I think Japan anytime of the year is amazing. But even though I have been to Japan many times, seeing the whole country turned pink with cherry blossoms is so unforgettable. I suggest you grab a buddy, a picnic blanket, lots of Japanese snacks and enjoy Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) season – the unofficial national picnic month.
There are so many good places all around Tokyo to enjoy Hanami (cherry blossom party) and below are my Top 3 cherry blossom viewing spots.
Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo, Japan (Early April)
10 minute walk from Shinjuku Station, nominal fee, 9:00 to 16:30
It is worth the nominal admission price to enter this amazing cherry blossom garden. The garden features 1,500 sakura (cherry blossom) trees. There are many different types of cherry blossom trees: weeping cherry, Tokyo cherry, and Kanzan cherry just to name a few. The colors are different too – from white, light pink to dark pink (almost red). The park gets pretty crowded around noon, especially near the entrance area during cherry blossom season. So come early and walk further inside to get all the pink to yourself. Around noon time, I see a lot of office workers from the area wearing suits and ties having picnic with co-workers. Who said guys can’t appreciate pink flowers?
Pro Tip: Admission ticket is good for all day (ask for readmission stub). So come early in the morning and come back again just before sunset
The petals that fall on the ground makes everything look even better – pink bed! (I wanted to roll around and make sakura (cherry blosoom) angel but I was wearing white!)
Meguro River in Tokyo, Japan (Early April)
15 minute walk from Nakameguro Station, admission free, check for nighttime illumination time
For nighttime Hanami (cherry blossom viewing), there is no place that beats Meguro River. I was here on a Friday night and the place was packed with locals and very few tourists. As you walk from the station, you past street vendors/ hole in wall eateries that sell goodies, drinks, and food that can be eaten standing up next to the river bank (walking and eating is a no-no in Japanese culture but you can eat standing in place and enjoy the view).
Pro Tip: If you want to admire the line of 800 sakura (cherry blossom) trees without the crowd, the end of the river walk (bridge area without pink lanterns) is really quiet and offers good views too.
Ueno Park (Early April)
A few steps from Ueno Station, admission free, check for nighttime illumination schedule
For one of the nights in Tokyo, we stayed at a Ryokan (Japanese traditional hotel) near Ueno area. We were lucky enough to get there early to get a good picnic spot as the park gets really crowded since it’s a popular spot for families to enjoy Hanami (cherry blossom party). The park itself is enormous with lines of sakura (cherry blossom) trees in the heart of it. What’s so special about this park is a temple up on a hill that overlooks the whole park including a view of Shinobazu pond.
Pro Tip: Bring picnic food. You will see other people’s food and wish you had packed some goodies.
