5 Ways to Enjoy the Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo

I’ve always wanted to see the cherry blossoms in Tokyo during peak season, and this year I was lucky enough to check that off my bucket list. I loved everything about sakura season in Japan! There are blossoms everywhere you turn, from advertisements to souvenirs, to themed foods, and of course, the cherry blossoms themselves. Plus, it’s nice to see the locals enjoying the blooms just as much as the tourists. Make the most of your time in Tokyo with these 5 ways to soak up as much of the beautiful, but fleeting, cherry blossom season!

Just Add Water

Head to Chidorigafuchi Moat where you can take to the water for your hanami (cherry blossom viewing). Expect a long line for boat rentals during peak season. Or, skip the queue and enjoy the fully bloomed trees from the walkway. Going late in the season has one serious perk here! The water is covered with fallen sakura petals, creating a sea of pink and a dramatic photo op.

Take it to the Streets

Ueno Park is one of the top spots to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo, but it gets incredibly crowded. So, consider yourself warned! The real reason you should come here is for the street food. There’s a row of vendors selling everything from yakisoba noodles to hot dogs on a stick to sticky rice buns (which were my favorite). Brave the crowds just to get a taste of all the different foods. Then find a spot under the cherry blossom branches to chow down. It’s worth it!

A Walk in the Park

Hanami like a local in Yoyogi Park! It’s another popular location in Tokyo with plenty of locals picnicking, drinking, and taking countless photos. Even with the crowds, the park covers a massive area, so there’s plenty of room to spread out. In my opinion, it felt much less hectic than Ueno, plus it had better opportunities to photograph the cherry blossoms. And with over 600 cherry trees, this park is a prime spot to get up close and take as many sakura selfies as you want!

Have Your Sakura and Eat It Too

One of my favorite things about cherry blossom season? Sakura-flavored everything! The food, the sweets, the drinks. I couldn’t get enough! I brought back sakura tea, liqueur, syrup, cakes, even salt! My favorite cherry blossom treat, hands down, was the sakura ice cream. The first taste was heaven, and after that I literally checked at every soft serve place we passed just to see if they had a sakura flavor there.

After Dark

Don’t mistake cherry blossom viewing as a strictly daytime activity. The blossoms are equally gorgeous after the sun goes down, especially with dramatic lighting! One great place to see the cherry blossoms by night is Meguro River. Arrive at dusk so you can see the sun set. Then after it gets dark, watch as the fully blossomed trees become illuminated by strings of lanterns all along the river.

There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the cherry blossoms in Tokyo. If you have your own favorite hanami spots or recommendations, share in the comments below!

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