A Guide to Hanami: The Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Tokyo 2020

Japan has four distinct seasons, but spring is truly the best time to visit. It’s the most comfortable season, with perfect temperature and humidity. Above all, spring has Japan’s biggest attraction: cherry blossoms, called sakura in Japanese. Cherry blossom viewing, or hanami, is one of the best things to do in spring. Enjoying picnics under the cherry blossom trees or visiting cherry blossom festivals and nighttime light-ups are common ways to admire the beauty of sakura. However, cherry blossoms are very frail; they only bloom for one or two weeks a year, and full bloom generally lasts for only about a week. The sakura start to bloom in the south first, reaching the north in March and April. During this time, many people pay attention to the“blossom forecast,” which tells you when the best time to view the blossoms will be. In Tokyo 2020, so far the blossoms are predicted to start blooming around March 16th and be in full bloom around March 24th. This article will serve as a guide to hanami and some of our recommendations for spots in Tokyo. Read on to find a hanami spot that will make you go “WOW”!

Hanami Picnics

How and where do people do hanami? The most common way is to have a picnic outside with a view of cherry blossoms. Japan has plenty of places where you can enjoy cherry blossoms, but parks and riverbanks are the best for hanami. Usually, there are lines of cherry blossom trees, and most places allow picnics. People enjoy hanami with family, friends, and even colleagues. Sometimes, hanami can be a huge party with a lot of members. However, since it’s a popular thing to do in Japan, many places get pretty crowded, especially on weekends. Because of this, some people head out early in the morning or even the night before they plan to picnic in order to save the ideal viewing location. It’s also important to check about the location of any restrooms near the spot you choose and be aware there tend to be long lines during hanami season.

Where do we get everything we need for hanami?

Food and drinks

In Japan, it’s legal to drink alcohol outside unless the location specifically prohibits it. In fact, having drinks is often an important element of hanami. People get food and drinks from convenience stores and supermarkets, usually on their way to the hanami location. Particularly in Tokyo, take out food such as Uber Eats or catering is also a option. Some hanami spots have food stalls set up nearby as well. Traditionally, Japanese people like to do potluck-style picnics. They bring homemade bento lunch boxes, sometimes even “character bento,” which are special lunch boxes with food arranged to look like popular characters. This is usually done for children’s school lunches, but if you bring it to hanami, it will surely catch people’s attention! If you’re curious about how to make character bento, click here.

What else should we prepare?

To have the perfect hanami, there are a few more items you should prepare, such as a picnic sheet, wet tissues, paper plates and cups, cutlery, and garbage bags. You can find these items easily at 100 yen shops, Don Quijote, and supermarkets. During this season, shops usually create special pop up corners for hanami items. Depending on the weather, bringing a small blanket might be a good idea too, since it can be a bit chilly in spring, especially when the sun goes down. As mentioned above, trying to save a good spot for hanami can be quite competitive, especially in Tokyo. However, there are companies that offer a service that will save spots for you. If you don’t want to get up early but you do want to get the best view of sakura, make sure to check it out!

The Best Hanami Spots in Tokyo

Ueno Koen Park

Crowd level	Amount of trees	Nighttime Light-Ups
Very crowded	aprx.710	Yes

Ueno Koen Park is one of the most famous parks in Tokyo. It’s known for having museums, shrines, and the Ueno Zoo all within the grounds.

Yoyogi Koen Park

Crowd level	Amount of trees	Nighttime Light-Ups
Crowded	aprx. 600	No

This is the most popular park in Tokyo for both tourists and residents. Throughout the year, people enjoy picnics, jogging, walking their dogs, or special events that are held almost every weekend.

Inokashira Koen Park

Crowd level	Amount of trees	Nighttime Light-Ups
A bit crowded	aprx. 400	Yes

This park is located near Kichijoji Station, which is a popular shopping area in western Tokyo. There is also a large pond where you can enjoy a special view of cherry blossoms from a paddling boat.

Shinjuku Gyoen Park

Crowd level	Amount of trees	Nighttime Light-Ups
Crowded	aprx. 1,100	Yes

Shinjuku Gyoen Park used to be an Imperial Garden in Tokyo, but after World War II it was opened to the public. You can enjoy Japanese, English, and French styles of designed gardens. There is one thing to note, however: visitors are not allowed to drink alcohol here.

Showa Memorial Park

Crowd level	Amount of trees	Nighttime Light-Ups
A bit crowded	aprx. 1,500	Canceled (2020)

This huge park (160 square meters) boasts both natural spaces and museums. It was opened to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Showa Emperor’s reign in 1983. It’s known to have a variety of flowers in each season. Here, you’ll find lovely spring flowers in addition to the cherry blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Festivals and Nighttime Light-Ups

Cherry blossom festivals are called sakura matsuri in Japanese, and are usually held at or nearby famous hanami spots. At sakura matsuri, people can enjoy delicious food and drinks with amazing views of cherry blossoms. Even at night, the fun doesn't stop with a different attraction known as yozakura. It literally means “night cherry blossoms” and refers to viewing cherry blossoms lit up in the dark. It is a breathtakingly beautiful view absolutely worth experiencing firsthand.

Top Sakura Matsuri and Light-Up Events in Tokyo

Nakameguro Cherry Blossom Festival

Crowd level	Amount of trees	Nighttime Light-Ups
Very crowded	aprx. 800	Canceled (2020)

This is one of the most famous sakura matsuri in Tokyo. There are some iconic bridges that cross the Meguro River, and if you stand on one, you’ll feel as if you are in a tunnel of cherry blossoms. Lining the Meguro River, you’ll also find plenty of food stalls.

Rikugien Garden Shidare-zakura and Daimyo Teien Park Light-Ups

Crowd level	Amount of trees	Nighttime Light-Ups
Crowded	aprx.40	Yes

Rikugien Garden is considered to be one of the most beautiful gardens in Tokyo. It’s popular all year round for its traditional Japanese landscapes. The highlight during hanami season is a shidare-zakura, or weeping cherry tree. The daimyo teien garden inside has great light-ups at night as well.

Chiyoda City Cherry Blossom Festival

Crowd level	Amount of trees	Nighttime Light-Ups
Crowded	aprx. 260	Canceled (2020)

This festival is held at Chidorigafuchi Park, which is known for its photogenic moat around the Imperial Palace. Even at night, you can rent boats and take a ride under cherry blossoms.

Sumida Koen Park Cherry Blossom Festival

Crowd level	Amount of trees	Nighttime Light-Ups
Crowded	aprx. 510	Yes

Along the Sumida River, there’s a one-kilometer-long line of cherry trees. Visitors can enjoy special events with food stalls and drinks all day long. At night, you’ll see beautiful, illuminated cherry blossoms with the Sumida River and Tokyo Skytree in the background.

Enjoy hanami even more with the convenience of LFT If you use a service called Luggage-Free Travel (LFT), hanami can be done so much more easily! You won’t need to carry anything with you, just go and enjoy. For further information, check the article below.

Reference: https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/special/cherry

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