Tokyo Cherry Blossom Viewing: The Most Beautiful Spots for 2024

The temperatures are steadily rising, the winter coats are being traded for lighter jackets and the buds on cherry blossom trees will start to open in about a week from now on, meaning it will soon be time for our favorite Japanese tradition: hanami.

Translated as “flower viewing,” the hanami cultural ritual is so much more than just watching the pretty flowers. It’s an experience; a spiritual metaphor for the beautiful but fleeting nature of life; and above all, a chance to get outside and eat, drink and be merry under the cover of beautiful pink and white blossoms. In the past, we told you about some of the top family-friendly hanami spots in Tokyo, but pretty much wherever you do it, hanami is an activity that appeals to people of all ages, which is one of the things that makes it so great. This year, the Tokyo sakura (cherry blossoms) are expected to be in full bloom around March 31, 2024. Plan your sakura viewing course with these stunning 10 spots where you can see the blooms at their best.

1. Meguro River

© Photo by iStock: YoshioMatsuda

This river’s location in a hip residential neighborhood, coupled with the way the trees drape over the water, makes for a stunning walk. Get there from dusk onward to experience the yozakura (nighttime sakura viewing) lit up by pink and orange lanterns. With 800 trees spread along four kilometers of the river, there are plenty of beautiful blossoms to enjoy viewing under the stars. This is also where the lively Nakameguro Sakura Festival (Mar. 30-31, 2024), a day dedicated to celebrating spring through live music performances and food stalls, is held. For more information on what you’ll encounter along the river, see this Tokyo On Foot Cherry Blossom Walk article.

• Where: Near Nakameguro Station main exit
• While in the neighborhood: Stop by the Starbucks Reserve Roastery, the world’s largest Starbucks to date. It has four spacious floors of great coffee, amazing pastries and even a bar.

2. Ueno Park

© Photo by iStock: 7maru

Just steps from Ueno station, this park is filled with some 800 sakura trees. When the blossoms reach full bloom it’s like walking under a canopy of sakura-filled clouds and cherry blossom snow. This hanami spot rightfully draws a huge crowd of revelers and has many yatai (food stalls) in the area, so bring your appetite. Stay into the evening as the soft glow of lanterns lights up the flowers.

• Where: Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo via Ueno Station, park exit
• Park Admission: Free!
• While in the neighborhood: See Japan’s cutest pandas at Ueno Zoo or visit a spring art exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.

3. Sumida River

© Photo by iStock: north_aki

Close to Asakusa station and the area’s famous temple, Sensoji, the Sumida River cuts a swath through Tokyo’s historic shitamachi (old downtown) neighborhoods. A walk along the banks is a perfect way to see the sakura trees lining the riverside. Taking the water bus along the river is a popular viewing activity, too. It does get crowded, so make sure to book your ride in advance. On the other side of the river, at Sumida Park, you can find yakatabune (traditional floating restaurants). Enjoy the spectacular view of more than 960 cherry trees blooming along the Sumida River, with Tokyo Skytree in the background.

• Where: 1 Hanakawado, Taito City, Tokyo via Asakusa Station
• While in the neighborhood: Shop at Tokyo Skytree’s Solamachi or go to the tower’s observatory for a spectacular bird-eye view of the cherry trees.

4. Rikugien Garden

© Photo by iStock: RYUYA HORIGUCHI

A quintessential and traditional Edo period Japanese garden, Rikugien is also a splendid sakura viewing spot each spring. Its symbol, a 15-meter-high and 20-meter-wide weeping cherry tree, greets visitors to the park as soon as they enter through the main gate. Though this garden doesn’t allow wild hanami parties, the evening light-up starting from late March creates a magical and romantic sakura viewing experience.

• Where: 6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo via Komagome or Sengoku Stations.
• Park Admission: ¥300 (Free for elementary students and under)
• While in the neighborhood: Enjoy a slow day of shopping and retro coffee and dining along Sugamo‘s Jizo-dori street.

5. Showa Kinen Park

One of the largest parks in western Tokyo, Showa Kinen Park turns into an endless carpet of various flowers in spring—in addition to its 1,500 flowering cherry blossom trees that make the park look as if a pink sky covers it. Showa Kinen Park also hosts its splendid annual flower festival from March through May. A beautiful viewing venue whether you’re visiting as a family, a couple or even on your own.

• Where: 3173 Midoricho, Tachikawa-shi, Tokyo via Nishi Tachikawa Station
• Park Admission: ¥450 (Free for children under 15)
• While in the neighborhood: Enjoy shopping at Ikea Tachikawa or LalaPort Tachikawa Tachihi, a giant department store with over 250 shops.

6. Tokyo Midtown

© Photo by iStock: tapanuth

Sakura in the heart of the city is a dream come true for the area’s tireless cadre of office workers. During sakura season, Tokyo Midtown holds its annual “Midtown Blossom” event where you can enjoy a wide range of cherry blossom viewing activities with food, drinks, sweets and crafts. Take yourself out for a drink and some sakura-inspired nibbles at the outdoor Blossom Cafe (Mar. 15-Apr. 14, 2024) under Midtown’s cherry blossom trees which are lit up until 9 p.m. This is the perfect venue for an after-work or late-night yozakura rendezvous.

• Where: 9-7-2 Akasaka, Minato City, Tokyo via Roppongi station, exit 8
• While in the neighborhood: See an ongoing exhibition at the Suntory Museum of Art

7. Yoyogi Park

© Photo by iStock: georgeclerk

Hanami doesn’t always have to be peaceful or romantic. If you’re after something a little more energetic, head to Yoyogi Park in Shibuya. At this time of the year, the park is filled with friends, college students and colleagues reveling in food and drink as they sit on ubiquitous blue tarps. The crowd is bustling and boisterous, invigorated by people playing silly and outlandish drinking games. It’s a great go-to Tokyo spot to let loose with friends while enjoying cherry blossom viewing.

• Where: 2-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo via Yoyogi Koen or Harajuku Stations
• Park Admission: Free!
• While in the neighborhood: Stroll around Urahara, the hidden Harajuku, or visit Meijijingu Shrine 

8. Chidorigafuchi Park

© Photo by iStock: y-studio

With flowers reflecting in the water and sakura petals drifting away as the end of the season approaches, Chidorigafuchi is one of the most picturesque cherry blossom sites in the capital. Chidorigafachi is a moat located northwest of the Imperial Palace, and the park surrounding it has some 260 cherry trees of different species and colors, blooming along a 700-meter-long pedestrian path. Rowboats are available for those who want to take their sakura viewing experience to an even more romantic level. Lit up in the evening, this seemingly endless tunnel of pink sakura, a night sky and a warm spring breeze creates a truly unforgettable experience.

• Where: 1-2 Kojimachi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo via Kudanshita station, exit 2 or Hanzomon station, exit 5
• Park Admission: Free!
• While in the neighborhood: Visit the Imperial Palace’s gardens or enjoy an evening kabuki play at the National Theatre

9. Mizumoto Park

© Photo by iStock: Susan L Spann

Despite being the largest public park in Tokyo, Mizumoto Park in Katsushika Ward remains relatively unknown among people living outside the area. But with an area of some 960,000 square meters, this place is one of the most beautiful and family-friendly parks to visit in the capital where you can barbecue, picnic, fish, play all day long or just have a pleasant stroll around. It is especially beautiful in spring when its hundreds of cherry trees are in full bloom, inviting you for a wonderful day out in nature. Get out of your comfort zone and visit this Tokyo cherry blossom viewing spot this hanami season—it won’t disappoint!

• Where: 3-2 Mizumoto Koen, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo via Kanamachi Station
• Park Admission: Free!
• While in the neighborhood: Visit the Shibamata Taishakuten Temple, designated as one of Japan’s 100 Soundscapes

10. Yomiuri Land

© Photo by Yomiuri Land

While it’s a great experience to enjoy the cherry blossoms as you’re relaxing on your tarp under the trees, the feeling of watching the blooming flowers from the vantage point of a rollercoaster or other exciting attractions is an entirely different hanami experience. Yomiuri Land is a great place to do exactly this with the whole family! Get on the thrilling Bandit rollercoaster, which rises 51 meters above ground, or the relaxing gondola, and see the blooming sakura trees unveil before you as you ride. It’s an amazing feeling! At night, the cherry trees are illuminated along with the rest of the park, adding a more romantic touch to the experience.

• Where: 4015-1 Yanokuchi, Inagi, Tokyo via a bus from Yomiuriland-mae Station
• Park Admission: Adult: ¥5,800, Children: ¥2,400~¥4,600
• While in the neighborhood: End the excitement-filled day with a relaxing soak at the Kakeinoyu onsen (hot spring) that looks over the surrounding greenery at an altitude of approximately 100 meters.

Have a wonderful hanami experience! And if you know of any other Tokyo cherry blossom viewing spots, comment below!

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