Tokyo in the spring is home to the most beautiful places in the world to see sakura, or cherry blossoms. These iconic pink blooms are a symbol of beauty and renewal in Japan and are a must-see on your visit.
Where are the most beautiful places to see sakura in Tokyo?
Meguro River Promenade
Hundreds of sakura trees line the Meguro River
The Meguro River promenade is one of the most popular places in Tokyo to view sakura. Hundreds of cherry blossom trees line the river and as the petals drop, they float beautifully on top of the water.
If you can, visit on weekdays or early in the morning. Hundreds, if not thousands, of visitors a day flock to see the magnificent sakura trees along the water, so you’ll need to plan ahead in order to get the perfect crowd-free picture or enjoy a peaceful walk.
Sakura flowers floating on Meguro River
Toward the end of the sakura season in Tokyo, which is typically around early- to mid-April, the river fills with the fallen pink petals.
Walking along the Meguro River at night is also beautiful. There are many restaurants and shops along the promenade that you can visit as part of a lovely evening surrounded by streetlight-lit cherry blossoms.
Clusters of cherry blossoms are everywhere you look.
Shinjuku Gyoen
Some sakura flowers are almost magenta in color.
Shinjuku Gyoen is a massive park in the Shinjuku neighborhood with large grassy areas, manicured gardens, and a few cafes. The park includes three distinctive styles of garden: a French formal garden, an English landscape garden, and a Japanese traditional garden. It is home to more than 1,500 sakura trees that are especially beautiful when they are in full bloom.
Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the best places in Tokyo to enjoy a lovely afternoon sitting under the many sakura trees and observing the cherry blossoms against the backdrop of Tokyo’s skyscrapers.
The park costs ¥500 (~ USD $3) per person to enter. There are a few food options in the park, but on sunny days those tend to have long lines so consider bringing your own picnic meal.
You can sit under the beautiful sakura trees in Shinjuku Gyoen.
Yoyogi Koen
Enjoy the large sakura trees in Yoyogi Koen.
Yoyogi Koen is a large urban park located in central Tokyo (“Koen” means “park” in Japanese). Each year in March and April, thousands of sakura trees bloom in the park, making it one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing destinations in Tokyo.
The best way to experience Yoyogi Koen’s cherry blossoms is by taking a leisurely stroll through its expansive grounds.
The section of the park closest to Harajuku Station tends to be the most crowded, so venture further in if you are looking for more space to spread out.
Sakura can come in many different colors, from nearly white to vibrant pink.
Nogawa River in Chofu
Flowers floating in a pool of water at Jindaiji Temple, near the Nogawa River
About 30-45 minutes by train west of central Tokyo, the Nogawa River in Chofu is an under-the-radar spot to view cherry blossoms.
Like the Meguro River, there is a long walking paths that follow the Nogawa River and is lined with hundreds of sakura trees. You will see many Japanese families with portable barbecue sets eating and chatting under the cherry trees.
You can make a day of this excursion by also visiting the nearby Jindaiji Temple, which is one of the oldest temples in the Tokyo area.
Kamakura
About 1.5 hours by train south of Tokyo, Kamakura is an ideal day-trip destination to see cherry trees.
Kamakura is one of the best places to view cherry blossoms because it has so many opportunities for beautiful sights all around the city.
Sakura trees line the main road in Kamakura
Popular spots include Meigetsu-in Temple, which is home to hundreds of cherry blossom trees; Kencho-ji Temple with its sprawling gardens; and Hasedera Temple which offers stunning views from atop a hill overlooking the city. These locations are perfect for taking pictures or just admiring the delicate petals that blanket the streets every spring.
Matsudayama Herb Garden
Matsudayama Herb Garden offers stunning views of Mount Fuji
Matsudayama Herb Garden has stunning views of Mount Fuji and in springtime, is one of the best places in Japan to see cherry blossoms. Matsudayama Herb Garden is roughly 1.5 hours by train west of Tokyo and can be visited as an easy day trip.
The uppermost part of Matsudayama Herb Garden (in Naito Orchards)
Entrance to the main area of the garden costs ¥300 yen per adult. Keep climbing the hillside to reach the Naito Orchards, which has fewer crowds and even better views of flowers and Mount Fuji. Naito Orchards is a spectacular hillside orchard with exceptional flower blooms. You can even pick your own mandarin oranges or purchase freshly-picked bundles. Naito Orchards costs another ¥300 per adult to enter.
Sakura season at Matsudayama Herb Garden begins a bit early, with peak blooms usually occurring from mid-February to early March.