Tokyo Spring 2016: Sakura Report

Patric Sugay

Last March, I was given the opportunity to visit Tokyo right when the sakura are blooming at their peak. Here’s all the sakura I found during the trip!

The Weather

Sakura season is still chilly after winter, but a thick layer or a jacket is enough to stay warm. No need for thermals.

Kanda Myojin Shrine

Kanda Myojin is a Shinto shrine that is well-known in modern anime culture, thanks to the hugely successful Love Live! franchise.

At the time, the live concert “µ’s Final LoveLive! ~µ’sic Forever ~”, was ongoing at the Tokyo Dome, so there’s a huge amount of Love Live! fans to be seen among the crowd around Tokyo.

There aren’t a lot of sakura trees here compared to other areas, but the view is still stunning to look at. Perfect for a video selfie to upload on Instagram.

Kanda Myojin is a short, 10-minute walk from Akihabara Station. You can stop by in the early morning before having breakfast and explore Akihabara. Most stores in usually open at 10–11AM.

Yasukuni Shrine

Yasukuni Jinja is one of the more controversial shrines in Japan. The Shinto shrine pays homage to the people who have died in service to Japan. This includes people who have committed war crimes back in World War II, which is a cause of protest in the Asia-Pacific Region.

In Shinto religion, the souls become ‘kami,’ or revered spirits. The word can be translated as ‘gods,’ but perhaps the word ‘saints’ is the most appropriate word in the western religious lexicon. So it’s a holy place for millions of Japanese who lost relatives fighting for their country.

Among the 2.4 million souls enshrined and revered in the Yasukuni Shrine are about 1,000 war criminals from World War II. These were men who were convicted and executed by Allied war tribunals, or who died in jail. This is one of the main problems for Japan’s neighbors; that reverence is being paid to those who committed some of history’s most egregious crimes.

Source: http://www.pri.org/stories/2013-12-26/why-yasukuni-shrine-so-controversial

While the controversy remains, it is also one of the larger places in Tokyo that are perfect for hanami.

Around the first week of April, parks and temples host sakura matsuri, where stalls of food and produce are sold throughout the grounds.

Nearby Sakura Spots and Landmarks

Close to Yasukuni Shrine is Chidorigafuchi Park, which is also home to a wide variety of sakura trees; and the Nippon Budokan, where most aspiring bands want to perform.

On the other side of the park is the Imperial Palace and the Imperial Palace Gardens.

Yasukuni Shrine is located in Chiyoda Ward, closest to Kudanshita Station on the Toei Shinjuku Line, and Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line.

Meguro River

Along the stream of the Meguro River are sakura trees, which are enchanting to look at especially at night, where sakura illumination festivals are also held during the first few days of April.

There are many ways to access the Meguro River, such as Naka-Meguro Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, and the Tokyu Toyoko Line.

Sakura in Other Areas

Other popular areas like Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Asakusa, and Odaiba also have some sakura trees, although not as many as those in major parks and temples.

Extras

With seasonal change comes seasonal items, especially food. Here are some I was able to, er, take photos of before eating.

Conclusion

Planning a trip to Tokyo during a peak periods like sakura season is hectic and a little more expensive, but it’s still possible even a month before April 1st. Just book as early as you can, and look for cheaper deals at hostels or AirBnbs.

Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth it. YES.

If you’re still in university, talk with your International Center office and about Japanese exchange programs being offered with its partner universities. There may be one where you can get to experience Japan to its fullest.

If you end up anywhere in the world, be sure to take lots of photos and stories along with you.