5 Cherry Blossom Spots in Tokyo, Japan
After months of preparation (and saving!), finally - a trip outside the country! Yes, this was my first time to travel abroad and I'm so happy to be able to experience it in Japan!
This is definitely my most unforgettable trip to date. We initially booked our flights and scheduled our trip for only 4 days in Tokyo just to celebrate Andy's birthday in his homeland. But we ended up extending our trip to hopefully catch a few blooms of the cherry blossoms. I didn't expect to see much of them, since we were still early for the full blooming period according to the forecasts.
But OMG, we were so lucky that spring came early and the cherry blossoms bloomed earlier than expected this year! Plus, oddly, it snowed for a day!!! So I got to experience my first snow, too! It's actually very unusual to snow when the cherry blossoms are already blooming (because it's supposed to be spring time already!) Even the Japanese were in shock, and called us lucky! Though I personally think that the Japanese Gods made it all happen for me!!! Okay. Kidding. Maybe it was just global warming. Or climate change. But really, I am so thankful to the Lord for that experience! I know He was there, looking at me while I cheerfully played with the snowfall and blissfully watched the cherry blossoms.
So these are the cherry blossom spots we have visited and I would like to share them with all of you - just in case you're planning a trip to see the lovely pink trees next year.
1. Meguro River
A spontaneous afternoon led us to one of the iconic places for cherry blossom viewing - the Meguro River. During one of our train stops going to Shinjuku, I noticed a lot of cherry blossom trees and a river nearby. "Meguro River!" I shouted to Andy, as I remembered reading about this place during my japan research. "Do you wanna check it out?" he asked. Of course I said yes. Next thing I knew, we were out of the train, eagerly running towards the river. Just two minutes from Meguro Station, we found ourselves overlooking the beautiful river hemmed by concrete walls and sheltered by the pretty cherry blossom trees. With many classy restaurants, quaint coffee shops, bars, and food stalls along the sidewalks, this place makes for a perfect afternoon stroll with its mellow atmosphere.
They say that a different charm beholds at night, when the pink lanterns are lit up for their sakura illumination. I wish we had the time to stay until evening, but I guess it will be one of the reasons to go back to Japan!
2. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
One of the largest parks in Tokyo, Shinjuku Gyoen is a perfect place to see the cherry blossoms. The park is huuge! We were only able to explore a tiny part of it since we got there late in the afternoon already (and they close at 5pm, take note). It has a wide variety of cherry blossoms planted everywhere, and has very spacious areas for picnics. People were just lounging around and relaxing with their coworkers and loved ones while munching on some snacks - a perfect hanami experience or just a perfect way to end a day. This park is where I saw the many varieties and shades of the cherry blossoms - from white to baby pink to hot pink. Aaahh they were so prettyyy!
Nearest stations:
5 minute walk from Shinjukugyoenmae Station (Marunouchi Subway Line)
10 minute walk from JR Shinjuku Line (JR Line)
3. Yoyogi Park
Another famous park in Tokyo is the Yoyogi Koen, which is right beside the Meiji Shrine and Harajuku area. As a public park with no entrance fees, it could get a little crowded. It is a popular spot for both spring, when people gather to do hanami or cherry blossom viewing, and autumn, when the leaves turn yellow, red, and gold. Despite it being mobbed by people when we went, it still has a very chill vibe that I really like. Many people were walking their dogs, biking around the pathways, and leisurely having picnics while enjoying the view of the trees and ponds. How I wish we have these kinds of parks in our own country!
Nearest station:
5 minute walk from Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line)
4. Ueno Park
Another public park in Tokyo is Ueno, a favorite destination for both locals and tourists and a famous spot for hanami parties in spring. Its pathway is lined with over a thousand cherry trees so it's another perfect place to have a stroll. But as you could tell in the photos, this place gets very jampacked, in fact it was the most crowded park we've been to, but still as mesmerizing.
While in the area, we also visited the popular Ueno zoo. I highly suggest you include it in your itinerary, especially when traveling with kids. Ticket costs 600 yen (around P300) per person. Ueno is also known for its museums such as the Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo Art Museum, and National Science Museum.
Nearest Station: Right next to Ueno Station (JR Yamanote Line)
5. Senso-ji Temple
The Senso-ji is the oldest and most significant temple in Tokyo known to bring all kinds of luck and fortune, and is bound to make wishes come true. With so much history, it stands in Asakusa, an area in Japan that preserves the traditional Japanese culture. The long pathway to the Sensoji Temple is lined up with numerous souvenir shops selling t-shirts, key chains, porcelains, magnets, fans, chopsticks, etc. as well as a variety of Japanese snacks.
It is also the ultimate place to experience wearing a kimono or yukata. Since I am a sucker for being a typical tourist (lol), Andy and I had to try it for ourselves. We booked our kimono rental ahead (at a random stall in Tokyo Tower) but you can find numerous kimono shops around Asakusa offering the same prices at around P3,600.
Walking around the temple while enjoying the view of the sakura trees is one of the best experiences I had in Tokyo. Definitely recommending it to anyone visiting the country soon :)
Nearest Station: 5 minute walk from Asakusa Station
There you go, friends! I hope this post encourages you to plan your Tokyo trip. These spots are great to be visited not just during spring, but anytime of the year. Experiencing sakura season in Tokyo is definitely one of the highlights of my year, and I hope it will become yours, too!
All photos are taken with just our iphones and edited with Lightroom.
P.S. Hope you can spare a few more minutes and watch my Japan Travel Film below. Thank you! :)
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