Every year, the most anticipated trip at the beginning of spring is the romantic cherry blossom viewing tour.
Due to climatic reasons, the Japan Meteorological Corporation has announced that the cherry blossom season in 2025 will arrive earlier than usual.
Cherry blossoms in Tokyo are expected to bloom on March 21 and reach full bloom on March 28 this year.
Aside from popular spots like Ueno Park, Toden Arakawa Line, Nakameguro, and Showa Memorial Park, there are also some hidden places where you can see cherry blossoms earlier in Tokyo.
These locations allow you to experience a different cherry blossom atmosphere, immerse yourself in a sea of pink blossoms, and enjoy a tranquil and relaxing setting.
(Koto Ward) Kiba Park + Ooyokawa Riverside
Kiba Park, located near the popular Kiyosumi Shirakawa area, is highly favored by artists for its beautiful scenery featuring various cherry blossom varieties.
Additionally, on the eastern side of the park along Ooyokawa Riverside, you can also see Kawazu cherry blossoms, which bloom earlier. Both of these areas offer a unique cherry blossom viewing experience.
Kiba Park is a vast area with stunning views. It is also home to the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art and a botanical garden, making it a green oasis in the city.
The park features various cherry trees, including Shidarezakura, Oshima sakura, Yaezakura, and several Yoshino sakura varieties.
Since these flowers bloom at different times, visitors can enjoy the beauty of various cherry blossoms throughout their visit.
The charm of Kiba Park is not only in its cherry blossoms but also in the opportunity to capture the perfect photo featuring Tokyo Skytree, cherry blossoms, and Kiba Park Bridge, symbolizing the fusion of Tokyo’s iconic architecture and springtime cherry blossoms.
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(Edogawa Ward) Komatsugawa Senbonzakura
Along the Arakawa River near Komatsugawa Park in Edogawa, around 1,000 cherry trees of 30 different varieties have been planted, creating a spectacular 2 km-long cherry blossom corridor.
The area, called Komatsugawa Senbonzakura, is as impressive as famous cherry blossom spots yet remains relatively unknown to tourists.
This offers a quieter and more romantic experience as visitors stroll along the river while admiring the fully bloomed cherry blossoms.
The cherry trees in this area were initially planted in 1992 as part of a local riverbank project and were completed in 2003.
During cherry blossom season, the breathtaking view of the rows of cherry trees attracts many locals who come to admire the blossoms, and the surrounding parks make it an ideal place for family walks.
To raise awareness of this cherry blossom destination, the “Komatsugawa Senbonzakura Festival” will be held on April 6, 2025, featuring performances such as traditional Japanese drums and hula dancing.
It is important to note that drone usage is prohibited here. To reach this location, take the Toei Shinjuku Line to “Higashi-Oshima Station”, then walk for 3 minutes to the Komatsugawa Entrance.
(Tama Area) Okutama Lake
Okutama Lake, located within Chichibu Okutama Kai National Park in the Tama Area, is a man-made lake surrounded by dense forests and serves as an important water source for Tokyo.
Every year in early April, cherry blossoms bloom along the lake’s shores.
From the lake’s edge to the Omidate Observatory, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of cherry blossoms, including Yoshino sakura, Oshima sakura, and mountain sakura, with the calm lake reflecting the blossoms and creating a stunning scene.
It is recommended to drive along the lake’s northern shore to take in the natural beauty through your car window.
Visitors can also walk along the “floating drum bridge”, which is made of resin and designed for pedestrians.
This offers a unique experience of walking on a floating bridge while admiring the pink cherry blossoms on the mountain slopes and their reflections in the lake.
This kind of cherry blossom viewing experience in nature is incomparable to locations within the city.
For transportation, take the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku to Nakano, then transfer to the Ome Line toward “Okutama Station” (about 2 hours), and then take a bus to Okutama Lake.
If you want to visit the floating bridge, get off at “Kogouji Shrine” and walk to your destination.
Tokyo Offers Many Amazing Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots
Tokyo has many beautiful places to see cherry blossoms. The most famous one is Ueno Park, with around 1,200 cherry trees.
The Toden Arakawa Line, a rare tram in Tokyo, also passes through streets lined with cherry blossoms, allowing passengers to enjoy the beautiful blossoms while riding the tram, earning it the nickname “Tokyo Sakura Tram.”
Additionally, Showa Memorial Park has around 1,500 cherry trees over 50 years old.
The sight of cherry blossoms hanging from the tree branches with visitors sitting beneath them is incredibly romantic.
Whether it’s a famous spot or a hidden gem, Tokyo is filled with cherry blossom locations waiting to be explored.
Spring is the perfect time to enjoy cherry blossoms, so plan your cherry blossom trip to Tokyo now!
