Cherry blossom season in Tokyo is pure magic, and finding the right spot can make the experience unforgettable.
While this is admittedly one of the most crowded times to visit Japan, and you’ll have to prepare yourself for the inevitable hordes of people desperate to catch a glimpse of these Insta-worthy flowers, if you’re going to brave it, you’ll want to make sure you get the best possible views. Here are some of the best places to catch the blooms at their absolute finest.
1. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Shinjuku Gyoen is often considered one of the best places to view cherry blossoms in Tokyo, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere. With over 1,000 cherry trees and a variety of sakura types, the garden’s blooming season stretches longer than usual, giving visitors a better chance to catch the petals at their peak. The garden’s huge lawns and scenic ponds make it easy to find a quiet spot, even when it’s busy.
One of the nicest things about Shinjuku Gyoen is how relaxed it feels compared to more tourist-heavy spots. You can take your time strolling through the Japanese, English, and French gardens, each offering a slightly different view of the blossoms. It’s a great place for a relaxed afternoon picnic, a slow wander with a coffee, or just soaking up Tokyo’s gentler side during peak season.
2. Ueno Park
When people think of cherry blossoms in Tokyo, Ueno Park often tops the list — and it’s easy to see why. The park explodes with colour during sakura season, with more than 1,000 trees lining the wide pathways and creating an incredible pink canopy overhead. It’s a lively, bustling scene filled with hanami parties, food stalls, street performers, and an electric, festive vibe that feels truly contagious.
If you love a party atmosphere, Ueno Park is the place to be. It’s definitely one of the busier spots, so if you want a prime picnic space under the blossoms, it’s smart to arrive early. Still, even if you’re just passing through, the energy and excitement here capture everything that makes cherry blossom season so special and unique to Tokyo.
3. Chidorigafuchi
Chidorigafuchi offers one of the most stunning cherry blossom experiences in the entire city, with sakura trees arching gracefully over a quiet, reflective moat near the Imperial Palace. It feels almost surreal when the blossoms are in full bloom, especially if you rent a small boat and glide along the water while soft petals fall around you. The atmosphere is peaceful, romantic, and just a little bit dreamlike.
Even if you stick to walking the paths along the moat, the views are breathtaking at every turn. In the evening, the area is softly lit, giving the whole place an extra layer of magic. If you’re after a more serene and romantic sakura experience that doesn’t feel chaotic, Chidorigafuchi is the perfect escape.
4. Meguro River
Meguro River is one of Tokyo’s trendiest cherry blossom spots, offering a stylish urban twist on the classic hanami experience. For a few kilometres, the riverbanks are lined with hundreds of cherry trees, their branches forming an almost tunnel-like canopy over the flowing water. It’s especially beautiful in the evening when the trees are illuminated and the whole scene sparkles like a fairytale.
During sakura season, the streets along the river come alive with pop-up stalls, food trucks, and outdoor cafés. It’s the perfect place for a relaxed date, a solo stroll with a coffee, or just people-watching under a shower of pink petals. Meguro River feels young, fresh, and a little less traditional — perfect if you want a different kind of cherry blossom memory.
5. Yoyogi Park
Yoyogi Park is the go-to spot if you want your cherry blossom experience to feel casual, fun, and completely laid-back. Unlike more manicured gardens, Yoyogi has an open, welcoming feel where people set up tarps, play music, and hang out all day long. It’s one of the best places to see how locals actually enjoy sakura season — not just posing for photos but living it.
You’ll find everything from impromptu dance performances to friends strumming guitars and families chasing each other around beneath the blooms. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a no-pressure hanami vibe where you can bring snacks, people-watch for hours, and soak up that easygoing Tokyo spirit you don’t always see in the more polished spots.
6. Sumida Park
For a blend of old Tokyo charm and modern skyline views, Sumida Park near Asakusa is hard to beat. Cherry blossoms stretch along the riverbanks for nearly a kilometre, with Tokyo Skytree towering in the background — a stunning contrast between ancient beauty and futuristic design. It’s a great place for a leisurely walk, snapping gorgeous photos, or just sitting on a bench and watching the world drift by.
In the evenings, the trees are illuminated, giving the area a soft, glowing atmosphere that feels incredibly romantic. The nearby Asakusa district adds an extra layer of fun, with traditional street snacks, rickshaws, and historic temples just steps away from the blossoms. It’s a place where every turn feels packed with old and new Tokyo colliding in the best way.
7. Inokashira Park
Inokashira Park, located in Kichijoji, feels a little like Tokyo’s best-kept secret during cherry blossom season. The large central pond surrounded by sakura trees creates postcard-perfect reflections, especially on calm, sunny days. Renting one of the famous swan boats and paddling beneath the falling petals is a must-do experience if you want to fully embrace the magic of springtime in Tokyo.
Beyond the sakura, the park’s leafy paths, small shrines, and tucked-away cafés make it a wonderful place to linger long after you’ve had your fill of cherry blossoms. It’s ideal for a slower, more peaceful day when you want to feel close to nature without leaving the city behind completely.
8. Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens
If you’re looking for a cherry blossom experience with more traditional elegance, Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens is absolutely worth a visit. As one of Tokyo’s oldest gardens, it offers a beautifully designed space where every turn reveals another picture-perfect view — a classic stone bridge here, a tranquil pond there, all framed by soft pink blooms.
The gardens tend to be quieter than the big public parks, making it ideal if you want to appreciate the blossoms without the party atmosphere. It’s a place that invites slow wandering, quiet reflection, and a real appreciation for the centuries-old relationship between Japanese culture and the changing seasons.
9. Asukayama Park
Asukayama Park might not have the international fame of Shinjuku Gyoen or Ueno Park, but it’s been a beloved sakura spot for locals since the Edo period. With wide, grassy areas and hundreds of cherry trees, it’s a perfect place for a relaxed hanami picnic that doesn’t feel rushed or overly crowded.
There are even small museums nearby if you want to mix a little culture into your visit, and the park lights up the trees at night for a soft, beautiful evening view. It’s the perfect reminder that some of the most meaningful experiences happen slightly off the beaten tourist track.
10. Aoyama Cemetery
It might sound surprising, but Aoyama Cemetery offers one of Tokyo’s most peaceful and quietly beautiful cherry blossom experiences. Long, wide avenues lined with towering sakura trees create a serene, almost ethereal atmosphere that feels very different from the lively hanami parties elsewhere.
It’s a place for quiet walks, gentle conversations, and soaking in the transient beauty of the season. If you’re looking for a reflective, less commercial way to enjoy the cherry blossoms — and maybe sneak in a little deep thinking while you’re at it — Aoyama Cemetery is a hidden gem that stays with you long after the petals fall.
