Spring is once again approaching in stride, with the first cherry blossoms forecast to open in Tokyo in a little over a week! Can you believe it? If you’re looking for inspiration regarding where to go to enjoy this amazing time of year, here is a collection of our favourite moments from the last two springs (plus a bonus of early blooming sakura photographed about one month ago!). And if you can’t get enough of this, you can also check out our recommendations for hanami spots in Kyoto, and our first impressions of spring in Tokyo from three years ago. Time flies when you’re having fun, they say!
View of Mount Fuji among cherry blossoms from the park next to Kawaguchi Asama Shrine. Probably the best sakura-viewing day trip outside of Tokyo on a clear day.
Chidorigafuchi park at dusk
Shinjuku Gyoen gardens in full bloom
A rainy evening in Ueno park, just after sunset
Chureito pagoda and cherry blossoms against the backdrop of majestic Mount Fuji
Kawazu-zakura, an early blooming variety of cherry trees originating from Kawazu in the Izu peninsula, typically in full bloom around the end of February and much more colorful than the usual Yoshino cherry flowers. The bokeh effect is given by sun ray reflecting off of the surface of the river below.
People enjoying the traditional hanami (picnicking under the cherry trees) in Shinjuku Gyoen
Testing my new macro lens in Nakameguro
Early blooming Kawazu-zakura trees along the river at sunset. If you’re in Tokyo too early for the usual sakura viewing season, consider a day trip to Izu!
Nakameguro remains one of my all-time favourite hanami spots, especially during the blue hour when the light is amazing and the crowds haven’t yet started rolling in.