Sakura 2022: A video report of 7 cherry blossom spots in Tokyo

Have you ever experienced spring in Tokyo (東京)? Between late March and early April, visitors to the capital of Japan can enjoy stunning cherry blossoms (桜 sakura) in many public parks and castle grounds while experiencing fascinating cultural activities and traditions. One such tradition is hanami (花見) where people would gather with family and friends to enjoy the beauty of sakura with a picnic under the trees. However, COVID-19 has disrupted many hanami plans for the past 3 years, with some parks cancelling hanami entirely or even requiring visitors to make reservations before laying their picnic mats.
Nonetheless, many parks and public spaces still allow visitors (with masks on) to stroll along these spots to take in the beautiful sakura views—and that’s exactly what our friends from JR East did! On behalf of many of us who can’t travel to Japan for spring just yet, our fellow colleagues in Tokyo have been assigned the task to “report” on the various sakura spots around the city. Here are 7 places that they’ve visited to enjoy some of the most beautiful sakura views!
1. Shinjuku Gyoen
(Video credit: JR East / Kobori Akio)
One of Tokyo’s most popular hanami spots, Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) is conveniently located just a short walk from various stations within Shinjuku Ward. The park is known for its spacious lawns, meandering walking paths, and tranquil scenery that provide a relaxing escape from the busy urban centre around it. During spring, it is home to more than 12 varieties of sakura, making it the perfect place to enjoy hanami with your friends and loved ones.
Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑)
Address: 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0014
Nearest station: Shinjuku Station (新宿駅) / Shinjukugyoenmae Station (新宿御苑前駅) / Sendagaya Station (千駄ケ谷駅)
Access: 10-minute walk to Shinjuku Gate from the New South Exit of Shinjuku Station. 5-minute walk from Shinjukugyoenmae Station. 5-minute walk from Sendagaya Station to Sendagaya Gate
Opening hours: 9am–6pm (15 March–30 June and 21 August–30 September), 9am–7pm (1 July—20 August), 9am–4:30pm (1 October–14 March). Closed on Mondays, 29 December–3 January.
Admission fee: ¥500 (Last admission: 30 minutes before closing time)
Tel: +81 3-3350-0151
2. Chidorigafuchi Park
(Video credit: JR East / Kobori Akio)
Known as Tokyo's postcard-perfect cherry blossom spot, this park is home to a 700m-long lush green walkway along the moat of the Imperial Palace, and is one of the top spots in Tokyo for viewing cherry blossoms. Visitors can rent a rowboat to enjoy the sakura from the river as well. Chidorigafuchi Park (千鳥ヶ淵公園 Chidorigafuchi kōen) is also a great place to visit at night during cherry blossom season, as the trees are also illuminated.
Chidorigafuchi Park (千鳥ヶ淵公園)
Address: 1-2 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-shi, Tokyo 102-0082
Nearest station: Hanzomon Station (半蔵門駅)
Access: 3-minute walk from Exit 3a or Exit 4 of the station
Opening hours: 24 hours
Admission fee: Free
Tel: +81 3-5211-4243
3. Asukayama Park
(Video credit: JR East / Kobori Akio)
Just located outside of Oji Station (王子駅 Ōji-eki), Asukayama Park (飛鳥山公園 Asukayama Kōen) is home to Asukayama Museum (北区飛鳥山博物館 Kitaku Asukayama hakubutsukan), the Paper Museum (紙の博物館 Kami no hakubutsukan) and the Shibusawa Memorial Museum (渋沢史料館 Shibusawa shiryōkan). During spring, the park is filled with roughly 650 cherry trees that turn the park into shades of pink and white. Within the park, there is even a small cable car, the Asukayama Park Monorail (飛鳥山公園モノレール Asukayama kōen monorēru), which transports visitors for free to the highest part of the park for the perfect view.
Asukayama Park (飛鳥山公園)
Address: 1-1-3 Oji, Kita City, Tokyo 114-0002
Nearest station: Oji Station (王子駅)
Access: 1-minute walk the station
Opening hours: 24 hours
Admission fee: Free
Tel: +81 3-3908-9275
4. Shakujii River
(Video credit: JR East / Mitsui Takeshi)
Located towards the northwest of Tokyo in a rather quiet residential area, Shakujii River (石神井川 Shakujii-gawa) is a great place to enjoy leisurely walks in the heart of its inhabitants' daily life. While enjoying a peaceful stroll, one can lookout for a few neighbourhood temples and shrines to visit along the way. The 25km-long river crossing several wards in the north-west of Tokyo, where it eventually flows into Sumida River (隅田川 Sumida-gawa).
Shakujii River (石神井川)
Address: Futaba-chō, Itabashi, Tokyo 173-0011
Nearest station: Shin-Itabashi Station (新板橋駅)
Access: 4-minute walk from the station
Opening hours: 24 hours
Admission fee: Free
5. Sumida Park
(Video credit: JR East / Kobori Akio)
Located near the popular Asakusa (浅草) district, Sumida Park (隅田公園 Sumida Kōen) is the perfect place to see the cherry blossom with an unobstructed view of the Tokyo Sky Tree (東京スカイツリー)! Not only that, but the park also has a big playground, perfect for families who may be visiting with kids. Across the river, you can see the Asahi Beer Tower (アサヒビールタワー) Building, which some say resembles a mug of the frothy golden beverage. This park is not only popular during spring, but also in late July, where it is one of the best places to watch Tokyo's most popular fireworks show.
Sumida Park (隅田公園)
Address: 1-Hanakawado, Taito-shi, Tokyo 111-0033
Nearest station: Asakusa Station (浅草駅)
Access: 5-minute walk from the station
Opening hours: 24 hours
Admission fee: Free
Tel: +81 3-5246-1321
6. Ueno Park
(Video credit: JR East / Mitsui Takeshi)
A large park located next to Ueno Station (上野駅 Ueno-eki), this city park is a host of different museums such as the Tokyo National Museum (東京国立博物館 Tōkyō Kokuritsu hakubutsukan), the National Museum for Western Art (国立西洋美術館 Kokuritsu seiyō bijutsukan), the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (東京都美術館 Tōkyōto Bijutsukan) and the National Science Museum (国立科学博物館 Kokuritsu-kagaku hakubutsukan). It is also home to Ueno Zoo (上野動物園 Ueno-dōbutsuen), Japan's first zoological garden. It is an incredibly popular hanami spot in Tokyo, with plenty of people gathering to enjoy the sakura in full bloom. Visitors can rent a paddle boat and head right out into the water!
Ueno Park (上野公園)
Address: 3 Ikenohata, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0007
Nearest station: Ueno Station (上野駅)
Access: 1-minute walk from the station
Opening hours: 5am–11pm
Admission fee: Free
Tel: +81 3-3828-5644
7. Nippori Station & Yanaka Cemetery
(Video credit: JR East / Mitsui Takeshi)
Nippori Station (日暮里駅 Nippori-eki) is located on the Yamanote Line (山手線 Yamanote-sen)—one of Tokyo’s most important train lines. Especially for visitors who are arriving from Narita Airport (成田国際空港 Narita Kokusai Kūkō), you can also take the Keisei Skyliner (京成スカイライナー) to this station. Despite looking like a bustling city shopping hub, this is far from the truth. Nippori actually provides a stark contrast between the old and new, delicately balancing traditional Japanese style with that of modern city life.
(Video credit: JR East / Mitsui Takeshi)
The south exit of Nippori Station holds the Yanaka Cemetery (谷中霊園 Yanaka reien). Surrounded by small temples and inhabited by local kitties, the pathways through Yanaka Cemetery make for a great spot to stroll and enjoy the sakura blossoms. The area is also popular for its many sakura trees lining the central Sando Road that runs through the cemetery, making it a popular hanami viewing spot during late March and April. As this scenic cemetery is where some of the most famous figures in Japanese history are laid to rest, please be mindful of your surroundings during your visit.
Yanaka Cemetery (谷中霊園)
Address: 7-5-24 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001
Nearest station: Nippori Station (日暮里駅)
Access: 5-minute walk from the south exit of the station
Opening hours: 24 hours
Admission fee: Free
Tel: +81 3-3821-4456
Shoutout to our JR East colleagues for reporting to us the wonderful cherry blossoms spots all around Tokyo! During your next spring trip to Tokyo, be sure to follow the proper manners associated with hanami to best experience this spectacular season!
Header image credit: JR East / Kobori Akio & Mitsui Takeshi