5 Unique Ways To Celebrate Cherry Blossoms This Season In Tokyo

Experience a hanami like no other and make the most of peak sakura season with these unique specials.

Tokyo has officially hit peak sakura (cherry blossom) season and has welcomed the cherry blossoms in full bloom. As we see the city turn pink, it’s important to remind ourselves that the sakura experience in Japan is not limited to sitting under the trees and admiring the cherry blossom canopy — unique sakura can be found everywhere in the city: sky-high, in hotels and served up deliciously in the food we eat.

To commemorate the peak of the hanami season, here are five of the capital’s most unique sakura-themed experiences for the year.

1. Sakura In The Clouds Evening High Tea

© Photo by Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo

On the open terrace of Hotel Chinzanso’s blooming “Serenity Garden,” you can enjoy evening high tea with a three-tiered hors d’oeuvre stand, chef’s special roast beef, dessert and free-flowing drinks such as beer, champagne and pink hot wine. The thing that makes this experience so unique is that the hanami high tea is held “in the clouds”— woven by cherry blossoms and a sea of cloudy mist. You’ll feel as if you’re in a heavenly fantasy movie while you enjoy your meal.   

Date: Now through Sun, Apr. 3, 2022
Time: From 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Price: ¥12,000 per person
Location: 5F Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, 2-10-8 Sekiguchi, Bunkyo City, Tokyo
Link: Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
Reservation: Call 03-3943-5489 or Online 

2. Hanami With Aibo Stay

© Photo by Hyatt Centric Ginza

Hyatt Centric Ginza Tokyo is offering a futuristic hanami picnic experience in a private space for you and a friend. If you’re a dog lover, this one’s for you. This hotel stay not only includes an ohanami osechi (cold cherry blossom holiday food) to spread open picnic-style with a variety of original amenities limited to this plan, but the unique feature is that you get to enjoy it all with a cute robotic Aibo dog. Aibo was created in 2018 by Sony with the aim of becoming a curious family member that can grow as they interact with those around them. As part of the stay, Aibo will accompany you in your room. You can even head over to the library lounge on the fourth floor of the hotel to dress up your Aibo in the latest Aibo goods such as clothes, collars, ears, tails and more. A truly unique way to enjoy hanami along with a robotic version of man’s best friend.

Date: Now through Sat, Apr. 30, 2022
Price: ¥65,000 for two people (inclusive of consumption tax and service charge)
Location: Hyatt Centric Ginza Tokyo, 6-6-7 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo
Link: Hyatt Centric Ginza Tokyo
Reservation: Call 0368371313 or Online

3. Hot Air Balloon Hanami

© Photo by Sagamiko Resort

Experience the cherry blossoms with a bird’s eye view during Sagamiko Resort’s special two-day hot air balloon hanami event. Enjoy the colorful garden in a group of two to five from a height of 15m above the ground for approximately five minutes. The view is especially romantic and beautiful at night as you’ll be able to see the 2,500 cherry blossoms illuminated by 6 million light bulbs; making it one of the largest illuminations in the Kanto region. Other sakura-themed attractions will be held across the theme park through mid-April so it’s definitely worth checking out. 

Date: Sat, Apr. 2 and Sun, Apr. 3, 2022
Time: From 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Price: Adult: ¥3,500 Child: ¥3,000
Location: Event stage, Sagamiko Resort, 1634 Wakayanagi, Midori Ward, Sagamihara, Kanagawa
Link: Sagamiko Resort

4. Private Hanami Cruise Stay

© Photo by Pullman Tokyo Tamachi

Take a loved one on a relaxing private hanami cruise which will tour you along to see cherry blossoms unique to this experience. The 45-minute private boat ride from the dock, just a minute or two away from Pullman Tokyo Tamachi, will take you on a special course with a view of the Rainbow Bridge, the cherry blossoms along Tsukuda Island and the Tsukishima River. Since it is a private cruise, you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing slowly without worrying about social distancing or interacting with strangers. In addition, this cruise also includes beautifully crafted sakura cocktails when you get back to the hotel where you’ll be spending the night. Cheers to that! 

Date: Now through Sun, Apr. 10, 2022
Time: Cruises from 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Price: ¥39,000 for two people
Location: Pullman Tokyo Tamachi, 3-1-21 Shibaura, Minato Ci
Link: Pullman Tokyo Tamachi
Reservation: Call 03-6400-5855 or Online 

5. Sakura Art & Sweets Stay

© Photo by Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa

Here’s a unique sakura stay for artists. Experience a peaceful day relaxing while enjoying some art in a Japanese garden where cherry blossoms bloom. With a 48-color pastel set from Pigment Tokyo, find your favorite scenery in the Japanese garden of about 20,000 square meters and challenge yourself to draw to your heart’s intent. You can even try sketching on a postcard to send messages of art to your loved ones. Spring sweets will also be available in the lounge facing the garden for you to devour while you take a break and refresh your artistic mind. 

Date: Now through Sun, Apr. 10, 2022
Price: ¥17,986 per person
Location: Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa, 3-13-1 Takanawa, Minato City, Tokyo
Link: Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa
Reservation: Call 03-3447-1111 or Online

Did you take in the hanami this year? Tag us in photos @SavvyTokyo and hashtag #SavvySakura2022 on Instagram so we can have a look and share them on our feed. Happy hanami!