2018 Japan Tokyo Cherry Blossom Forecast And Best Viewing Spots!

The Japanese cherry blossom or Sakura are the symbols of springtime in Japan and it has long been adored by people across the globe. “Hanami” (Japanese: the act of cherry blossom viewing) has become a very popular activity in Japan for both locals and tourists during the spring season. So, are you ready to fly to Japan for these stunning white or pink flowers?

Generally, the cherry blossom trees blooming time can vary widely based on the geographical location within the country. Blooms usually open first in the southern region and blooming progresses northward, but the average time for appearing cherry blossom may vary depending on the weather conditions.

Today, we share the 2018 cherry blossom forecast and best viewing spots in Tokyo with you!

Tokyo: Cherry Blossoms Start from late March to early April

2018: First day of blossoms -Late March (27-03-2018), Full bloom (estimated day): Early April (03-04 2018)

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Photo credit: Japanbook.net

Shinjuku Gyoen features more than one thousand cherry trees of over a dozen varieties, including numerous early and late-blooming trees. There are spacious lawn areas, and the atmosphere is calm and peaceful. Thanks to the early and late blooming trees, Shinjuku Gyoen is a good hanami destination for those who miss the main season by a week or two. Alcoholic drinks are prohibited.

Opening Hours: 9:o0 AM ~ 16:30 PM (Last entry until 16:00 PM)

Admission Fee: 200 yen

Address: 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Nearest station: Shinjukugyoenmae Station (Marunouchi Subway Line) or Shinjukugyoenmae Station (Marunouchi Subway Line) or Sendagaya Station (Chuo/Sobu Line.)

Website: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden Website

Yoyogi Park

Photo credit: Bee1955.blogspot.tw

Over 600 cherry trees are planted around the spacious Yoyogi Park, offering pleasant picnic opportunities. A few food stands are available.

Opening Hours: 5:o0 AM ~ 20:00 PM

Admission Fee: Free

Address: 2-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Nearest station: Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line) or Yoyogi-koen Station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)

Website: Yoyogi Park Website

Shiba Park

Photo credit: Travel.rakuten.co.jp

Shiba Park, located at the foot of Tokyo Tower, has around 200 cherry trees and is a great place to engage in hanami with the bright orange symbol of Tokyo jutting up in the background. Areas around the Maruyama Fountain and Benten Pond, located within the park, are especially popular sites for hanami.

Admission Fee: Free

Address: Shibakoen, Minato, Tokyo

Nearest station: Shiba-Koen Station/Onarimon Station (Toei Asakusa Line) or Akabanebashi Station (Toei Oedo Line)

Website: Shiba Park Website

Koganei Park

Koganei Park is a large public park in the western suburbs of Tokyo. More than a thousand cherry trees are planted around the grounds, most of which are found in the Cherry Garden (Sakura no En) and in front of the interesting Edo-Tokyo Open Air Museum, which is also part of the park. The cherry trees around Koganei Park typically bloom a few days later than those around central Tokyo.

Admission Fee: Free

Address: 1-13-1 Sekinocho, Koganei, Tokyo

Nearest station: Musashi-Koganei Station (JR Chuo Line) and then take the Seibu Bus and get off at the Koganei-Koen-Nishiguchi stop

Website: Koganei Park Website

Aoyama Cemetery

Photo credit: Hideki Nawate

The straight road, which leads through the cemetery, is lined and covered by hundreds of cherry trees. However, as a graveyard, Aoyama Cemetery does not provide the ideal surrounding for hanami parties.

Opening Hours: 8:30 AM ~ 17:15 PM

Admission Fee: Free

Address: 2-32-2 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-Ku, Tokyo

Nearest station: Gaiemmae station (Eidan Subway Ginza Line)

Website: Aoyama Cemetery Website

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

Photo credit: Mandegan.jp

A few dozen cherry trees, including a beautiful, prominently located weeping cherry tree stand around Koishikawa Korakuen, one of Tokyo’s most attractive traditional Japanese landscape gardens. Note that the weeping cherry tree typically reaches full bloom a few days before the other trees.

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 17:00 PM (entry until 16:30 PM)

Admission Fee: 300 yen

Address: 2-32-2 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-Ku, Tokyo

Nearest station: Gaiemmae station (Eidan Subway Ginza Line)

Website: Aoyama Cemetery Website

Meguro River

Photo credit: Fastjapan.com

About 800 cherry trees line Meguro River for several hundred meters and create an amazing sight. However, as a concrete canal, Meguro River does not offer a very natural surrounding for blossom viewers. During the Nakameguro Sakura Festival, the trees are lit up in the evenings.

Illumination: During blooming season until 21:00 PM (Might change)

Admission Fee: Free

Address: 2-32-2 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-Ku, Tokyo

Nearest station: Nakameguro Station (Eidan Subway Ginza Line)

Imperial Palace Area: Chidorigafuchi

Photo credit: Oddviser.com

Hundreds of cherry trees decorate the moats of former Edo Castle around Kitanomaru Park, creating one of Tokyo’s most outstanding cherry blossom sights. Boats are available for rent, but picnics are not allowed. Trees are lit up in the evenings. Many food stands can be found at nearby Yasukuni Shrine, where another thousand cherry trees are planted.

Illumination: During blooming season until 22:00 (Might change)

Admission Fee: Free

Address: Kudan Minami 2-chome—Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Nearest station: Hanzomon Subway Station/Kudanshita Subway Station

Website: Chidorigafuchi Website

Ueno Park

Photo credit: Coolphotojapan.com

One of Japan’s most crowded, noisy and popular spots for cherry blossom parties, Ueno Park features more than 1000 trees along the street leading towards the National Museum and around Shinobazu Pond. Ueno Park’s blossoms typically open 1-3 days ahead of the blossoms in other spots in the city.

Illumination: During blooming season until 20:00 (Might change)

Admission Fee: Free

Address: Ueno-Koen, 3 Ikenohata, Taito-Ku, Tokyo

Nearest station: Ueno Station (JR Yamanote Line/Tokyo Metro Ginza Line/Hibiya Line)

Website: Ueno Park Website

Showa Memorial Park

Photo credit: Ikidane-nippon.com

Located in the western suburbs of Tokyo, Showa Memorial Park (Showa Kinen Koen) is one of Tokyo’s largest public parks. The different areas of the park are spread out across the expansive grounds and are connected by paved trails which are fun to explore by rental bicycle (400 yen/3 hours). Showa Memorial Park has about 1500 cherry trees, which usually bloom a few days later than those around central Tokyo.

Opening Hours: March 1 to Oct 31: 9:30 AM to 17:00 PM

Admission Fee: Adults: 410 yen; Preschool Child: Free; Elementary and Junior High Student: 80 yen; Seniors (65 and older): 210 yen

Address: Midoricho 3173, Tachikawa-shi, Tokyo

Nearest station: Higashi-Nakagami Station (Ome Line)

Website: Showa Memorial Park

Kinshi Park

Photo credit: 鉄旅Nob

A good place to enjoy the view of Sakura and Tokyo Sky Tree.

Admission Fee: Free

Address: 4-15-1 Kinshi, Sumida-Ku, Tokyo

Nearest station: Kinshicho Station (Sobu Line)

Website: Sumida City Official Website

Sumida Park

Photo credit: tw.skygate-global.com

The park stretches for a few hundred meters along both sides of Sumida River with views of the Tokyo Sky Tree. Some food stands are available. Cherry blossom viewing can also be enjoyed from boats that cruise the river. Trees are lit up in the evenings.

Illumination: During blooming season until 22:00 PM (Might change)

Admission Fee: Free

Address: 1-2-5 Mukojima, Taito Ku, Tokyo

Nearest station: Asakusa Station (Ginza Line/Toei Asakusa Line/Tobu Isezaki Line)

Website: Sumida Park Website

Rikugien Garden

Photo credit: Taichiro Ueki

Along with Koishikawa Korakuen, Rikugien Garden is one of the big two Japanese-style gardens that can be enjoyed in Tokyo. The gardens are beautiful year round, but especially striking in the springtime when the drooping cherry trees come into bloom. With the garden bathed in pink throughout the day, once the sun sets they are lit up, bringing about a whole new beauty to the blossoming buds.

Opening Hours: 9:00 Am to 17:00 PM (entry until 16:30 PM)

Illumination: During autumn color and cherry blossom seasons until 21:00 PM (Might change)

Admission Fee: Adults: 300 yen; Preschool Child: Free; Elementary and Junior High Student: Free; Seniors (65 and older): 150 yen

Address: 6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo

Nearest station: Komagome Station (JR Yamanote Line/Namboku Subway Line)

Website: Rikugien Garden Website

Inokashira Park

Photo Credit: Japanphotorip.com

There are a few hundreds of trees in this spacious, public city park, which features a central pond. Boats can be rented in order to view the blossoms from the water.

Admission Fee: Free

Address: 1 Chome-18-31 Gotenyama, Musashino, Tokyo

Nearest station: Inokashira-Koen Station(Keio-Inokashira line)

Website: Inokashira Park Website