Just looking is boring! Ways to see the cherry blossoms, recommended by Tokyoites.

Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

cherry blossoms japan tokyo
Japanese people love cherry blossoms. I have never met a Japanese person who says they hate cherry blossoms. I believe the experience is similar to how Americans love baseball, and Italians love soccer — this is content that is adored on a national level. In J-POP, there are enough cherry blossom-themed songs to build a mountain. A lot of meteorological institutions announce their predictions as to when the cherry trees will bloom. From schools to workplaces, talk about when to go cherry blossom viewing or if you’ve gone already is a hot topic. And if a storm were to arrive during full bloom, the weather announcers on TV will discuss, with the sternest possible expressions, the possibility that the cherry blossoms may scatter. According to one theory, the Japanese mentality to desire an elegant exit is mirrored in the scattering of the cherry blossom petals — perhaps that is a good match with the notion that the cherry blossoms are scattering at the height of their beauty. I believe that may be true.

This is the extent to which the nationally beloved cherry blossoms are (most likely) imprinted upon our minds, perhaps even more than we imagined. In the spring, when the cities are seeped in the pink colors of the cherry blossoms, no matter where you go in Tokyo, even a simple stroll becomes an enjoyable experience. The special cherry blossom season, a moment that lasts only for one week out of the year. Even during the coronavirus pandemic, the cherry trees will still blossom.

They will bloom in an instant, and scatter before you know it, so we recommend that you venture out on good weather days.

Rather than simply going to see the cherry blossoms, we will introduce you to several examples of how Tokyoites enjoy these flowers. If you have an opportunity to visit Tokyo during the cherry blossom season, please try these out.

Index

The blossoming of cherry trees (some-yoshino) in Tokyo in 2023
See the cherry blossoms from the train / JR Chuo Line / Sobu Line
Enjoy the cherry blossoms while fishing / Ichigaya
View the cherry blossoms while taking a walk / Imperial Palace
Viewing the cherry blossoms from a high vantage point / Tokyo Tower

2. See the cherry blossoms from the train / JR Chuo Line / Sobu Line

The Chuo and Sobu Lines of JR (Japan Railway) run east-west across the central inner section of the Yamanote Line loop in Tokyo. One section of railway runs along the inner portion of the outer moat of the Edo Castle ruins (currently the Imperial Palace), and between Iidabashi Station and Ichigaya Station is Sotobori Park, which is located along the moat. Passengers can enjoy the view from their train of rows of cherry trees and the scattered cherry blossom petals floating on the surface of the water. If you have time, we recommend getting off at a station in between and seeing the cherry blossoms up close.

Access: The Chuo and Sobu Lines of JR (Japan Railway)

3. Enjoy the cherry blossoms while fishing / Ichigaya

If you have more time, how about doing some fishing from the moat embankment? At the “Ichigaya Fish Center,” located near Ichigaya Station, not only are aquarium fish such as goldfish and tropical fish available for purchase, there is a fishing pond on the premises as well. Beginners and children can enjoy a mini-fishing experience, while you can also go carp fishing if you want to try and catch some large carp. Conveniently, you can drop in empty-handed, because fishing gear is available to rent. Enjoy some leisurely fishing from the moat embankment while viewing the cherry blossoms, and you’ll undoubtedly be soothed by the negative ions of the water and the beautiful blossoms! If you catch any fish, you have the option to take them home, or release them.

Access: Immediately after exiting the JR Ichigaya Station.

4. View the cherry blossoms while taking a walk / Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace was originally a castle for the Tokugawa Shogunate, and is surrounded by a moat that was built to protect it from invading enemies. With cherry trees planted on the embankments, the Palace is now surrounded by cherry blossoms. Because it becomes very crowded around this time of year, it is difficult to get a good run in, but it is still possible to stroll through the area. It is considered good manners to travel in a counterclockwise direction. Start at Sakurada Gate, head to Nijubashi Bridge, and then through Kokyo Gaien, to Takebashi, while enjoying the contrasting juxtaposition of the skyscrapers in Marunouchi with the cherry trees. You can also walk along the moat from Kudanshita to Chidorigafuchi Moat, but a stroll through Tayasumon Gate to Kita-no-maru Park, the location of Nippon Budokan, is also very pleasant. If you venture out to Hanzomon from Chidorigafuchi Moat, you’ll also want to check out the cherry blossoms at the National Theater of Japan. When you descend Miyakezaka, you’ll arrive back at your starting point of Sakurada Gate!

Access: The Imperial Palace can be accessed from several stations but if you plan walking, use Sakuradamon Station.

5. Viewing the cherry blossoms from a high vantage point / Tokyo Tower

We recommend seeing Tokyo from high above the city, during the cherry blossom season. But don’t get up too high. We recommend somewhere around the height of the Observation Deck at Tokyo Tower. The closest station is Onarimon Station on the subway. If you stop by Zojo-ji Temple before heading there, you’ll get the chance to shoot a social media-ready scenic and photographic collaboration between Tokyo Tower and the cherry blossoms of the temple. Enjoy the gently sloping climb from Zojo-ji Temple to Tokyo Tower with the cherry blossoms guiding your way, and head to the Observation Deck. From up high, the pink dots covering the landscape will show you how plentiful the cherry blossoms are throughout the city of Tokyo. Enjoy this unique bird’s-eye view, only possible during the cherry blossom season.

Access: The Tokyo Tower can be accessed from several stations but if you plan go to Zojo-ji too, use Onarimon Station.