Cherry blossom spots in Tokyo

Hi Travelers, this is Kumi. I published a Kindle book on Tokyo photo locations in January. Let me show you the chapter of cherry blossom spots in Tokyo. In this book, a traveler/photographer, Cat, asks questions to a guide/photographer, Kumi.

 


C: Cat - traveler/photographer
K: Kumi - guide/photographer

* * * * * * * * *


C: When should I visit Tokyo to see cherry blossoms?

K: That's really hard to answer because the peak season is very different depending on the years. In 2017, cherry blossoms were full bloom around April 10 whereas, in 2018, the peak was around March 25.

C: How long the flowers last?

K: About a week or so. This website tells you a lot about seeing cherry blossoms in Japan. You can check out the cheery blossom's forecast.
https://www.japan-guide.com/sakura/

C: Nice. Now, please tell me where to go and see cherry blossoms.

K: If the flowers are full boom, I highly recommend visiting Chidorigafuchi.
https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/1736/

C: Is this a very popular spot?

K: Yes. If you wish to avoid crowds, you should go there on a weekday morning.

C: How about in the evening?

K: Since this is the business district, a lot of people come here after work. However, there will be a lot of policemen and security guards organizing the crowds, so it's relatively comfortable to walk around this area.

C: Is there a popular spot for photography in this area?

K: Yes. People are waiting in line to take cherry blossoms with the Tokyo Tower.

C: Wow! So many people! It seems difficult to take long exposure shots.

K: When the area is packed, you should probably give up long exposure, and set ISO high for faster shutter speed. The shutter speed for the following photos was 1/60 seconds, and the ISO was 3200.

C: I love the atmosphere.

K: At the final phase of the flowers, you'll see a lot of petals floating on the water. So it's lovely to capture them like this.

C: Was this a long exposure shot?

K: Yes. It was for 15 seconds.

Yasukuni Shrine & Yasukuni Street

K: If you go to Chidorigafuchi, you could stop by Yasukuni Shrine, too. This is also a very popular cherry blossom spot.

C: Why is it so popular?

K: One of the reasons is this "index tree."

C: Index tree?

K: Yeah. Each prefecture has a designated “index tree” so that the Meteorological Agency can report kaika (first blossoms) and mankai (full bloom).

C: That's very interesting!

K: Also, there will be a lot of street food in the precinct during the peak season and people enjoy eating and drinking here.

C: Drinking alcohol outdoor in the shrine's precinct!?

K: Yes.

C: Sounds a lot of fun.

K: The street along the shine is full of cherry trees, too.

Meguro River

https://tokyocheapo.com/entertainment/meguro-river-cherry-blossoms/

K: Another popular spot is the Meguro River.

C: This is like a cherry blossom tunnel, isn't it?

K: Right. On peak days, the streets along the river will be one-way even for pedestrians. So you'll walk along one side of the river, go over one of the bridges, and walk back on the other side.

C: Is this beautiful at night?

K: Yes. The river will be illuminated. I didn't have a chance to go there at night, but I've seen a lot of beautiful photos.

Asakusa

C: Are there any popular tourist spot where I can enjoy cherry blossoms?

K: I'd recommend Asakusa, especially along Sumida River. This is the view from the Tobu Line.

C: Wow!

K: And this is from the riverside, looking at the Tobu Line.

C: Can I see cherry blossoms at Sensoji Temple?

K: Yes. This is the view from the observation deck of the Asakusa Culture Center. You see the pink part, don't you?

C: Yeah.

K: And this is the view under the trees.

C: Cherry blossoms and the temple! It seems Asakusa has everything.

Imperial Palace

C: Does the Imperial Place has a lot of cherry trees?

K: Well, it's not like it is full of cherry trees, but they have some nice spots to see cherry blossoms in the East Gardens.

K: During the cherry blossoms season, the Imperial Household Agency let people walk through Inui street.

C: Interesting. When does it start?

K: No one knows it yet. The Household Agency makes an announcement on their website once they find out the schedule.
https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/eindex.html

K: If you walk through Inui Street and come out of the Inui Gate, you could visit Kitanomaru Park. A lot of people may be picknicking here.

C: This looks fun!

Hamarikyu Gardens

C: How about Hamarikyu Gardens? Does it have a lot of cherry blossoms?

K: It has many different kinds of cherry trees, so if you come relatively early for cherry blossoms, you can see early kinds of flowers, and if you come relatively late, you could still see late kinds of flowers. In 2019, most of the cherry blossoms were full bloom at the end of March, but I took this on April 8.

C: Wow! It looks full boom now, and they look so happy.

K: Yeah.

C: Is it easy to find cherry trees in the garden?

K: The map will help you find cherry trees.
https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/teien/en/hama-rikyu/map.html

Shiokaze Park

K: This is not a popular spot at all, but I happened to find this unique view.

C: Palm trees and cherry blossoms!? This is very special! Where is this?

K: This is Shiokaze Park near Tokyo International Cruise Terminal station on the Yurikamome Line.
https://www.suncalc.org/#/35.6221,139.7721,16/2020.03.20/12:00/1/3

Shibuya Station

K: When people are talking about places to see cherry blossoms, not many people think about Shibuya, but there is this huge tree at the Hachiko exit.

C: Oh, nice! So I can enjoy the Shibuya Crossing and the cherry blossoms at the same time, right?

K: Yeah.

Others

K: I don't have photos, but the following spots are also very popular for cherry blossoms.

- Shinjuku Gyoen
- Ueno Park
- Ryukugi-en
- Yoyogi Park
- Mori Teien at Roppongi Hills
- Tokyo Midtown

C: It seems there are so many popular spots.

K: Yeah. So when you check in your hotel, you should ask where you could see cherry blossoms around your hotel.

C: OK, I will.