When the cherry trees (sakura) bloom everyone wants to be outside. Companies, friends and families hold hanami parties under the trees.
There are literally 100s of Sakura viewing spots in Tokyo. These are the best.
1. Shinjuku Gyoen
Shinjuku Gyoen is a massive (144 acre) park near Shinjuku with 1,500 cherry trees. The park is big enough to find a quiet spot. It's also a good place to hold a large hanami party. Shinjuku Gyoen has more than a dozen varieties of Sakura (many of which bloom late).
2. Ueno Park
Ueno Park is the place to be if you want to see a huge hanami party. It's usually crowded (and a little on the wild side). The 133 acre park has around 1000 sakura trees that line an attractive boulevard and surround Shinobazu Pond. Ueno Park's sakura are early bloomers (often the first in Tokyo).
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3. Meguro River
Around 800 sakura line Meguro River near Nakameguro. They're brilliantly lit at night as part of the Nakameguro Sakura Festival. Meguro River looks like an urban canal. The trees are beautiful here. However, there's not much party space. It's a good place for a walk. There are several trendy shops, cafes and restaurants in the area.
4. Yoyogi Park
Yoyogi Park is a large park (134 acres) with 600 sakura trees. It's a favorite hanami spot amongst the hipsters and youth subcultures of nearby Harajuku and Shibuya.
5. Inokashira Park
A large park (95 acres) with 1000 sakura trees. The hanami crowd here is mostly university students (there are several large universities nearby). It's also popular for couples to view sakura from a swan shaped boat in Inokashira Pond.
6. Omiya Koen Park in Saitama
Omiya Koen Park is about 30 minutes from Tokyo (in Saitama). It's a large urban park that's filled with sakura (around 1,200 of them). The sakura (almost) form a canopy over the park. The trees are lit in the evening.
7. Chidorigafuchi
Hundreds of sakura line the moat of Edo Castle around Kitanomaru Park. It's possible to rent a boat in the moat. The sakura are brilliantly lit in the evening.
8. Sumida Park
A small park on the banks of the Sumida river. The Sumida river is lined with around 1000 sakura trees. It's also possible to take a Sumida river cruise (during hanami season). The park is located close to Tokyo Sky Tree.
9. Koishikawa Botanical Garden
A quiet spot to view several species of sakura. It's not open at night.
read part 2 »
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