The Kanto region is full of unique cherry blossom viewing spots, such as cherry blossom spots surrounded by greenery that make you almost forget you are in the middle of the city, flower-viewing places that decorate the stylish metropolitan, and Japanese gardens or dam lakes rich in nature.
Here are the best cherry blossom viewing spots from such Kanto region selected by FUN! JAPAN staff. From spots that have been selected as one of the "Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots" to hidden gems that are known only to those in the know, this guide will help you plan your next sakura trip!
1. Tokyo: Sumida Park
"Sumida Park" (隅田公園 / Sumida Kōen) is one of the "Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots" and straddles both banks of the Sumida River. The row of cherry blossom trees that stretches for about 1km was originally planted in the Edo period. The park is home to cherry blossoms such as Somei-yoshino and weeping cherry blossoms (shidare-zakura) reaching full bloom in spring as well as the cherry blossom festival held during sakura season. It is lit up at night, so you can enjoy a fantastic scenery that is completely different from the daytime. Another attraction of this park is that the world's tallest tower, the Tokyo Sky Tree, can be seen through the canopy of cherry blossoms. We also recommend viewing the cherry blossoms from a water bus or a houseboat.
Spot Information
- Best time for cherry blossoms: Late March to early April
- Access: About 2-3 minutes on foot from Asakusa Station
- Address: Map
2. Tokyo: Chidori-ga-fuchi
"Chidori-ga-fuchi" (千鳥ヶ淵) is the moat of the Imperial Palace, where more than 1,000 cherry trees are grown. During the "Chiyoda City Sakura Festival" (cancelled in 2022), it is lit up and a fantastic atmosphere can enjoyed. Chidori-ga-fuchi has many cherry blossom viewing spots such as the 700m-long promenade "Chidori-ga-fuchi Green Road". About 260 cherry trees are planted on both sides of the footpath, mainly Somei-yoshino cherry trees. On the biggest cherry blossom viewing spot, which is the moat, you can enjoy the scenery that can only be seen from a sightseeing boat.
Spot Information
- Best time for cherry blossoms: Late March to early April
- Access: About 5 minutes on by walk from Hanzomon station or Kudanshita station
- Address: Map
3. Saitama Prefecture: Shiba-zakura Hill in Hitsujiyama Park
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"Hitsujiyama Park" (羊山公園 / Hitsujiyama Kōen) in Saitama Prefecture has a moss phlox (shiba-zakura) hill that boasts one of the largest planted areas in the Kanto region. More than 400,000 moss phlox in 10 different colors, including dark pink, light pink, and white, spread all over the grounds, making the hill look like a flower field in a movie or drama. The pattern drawn with moss phlox is an inspired by the dynamism of the Chichibu Night Festival, which is designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the costumes of the musicians. Every year, the "Shiba-zakura Festival" (cancelled in 2022) is held during the flowering season in spring. Be sure to enjoy Chichibu's local cuisine along with the festival!
Spot Information
- Best time for shiba-zakura: Mid-April to early May
- Access: About 20 minutes on foot from Seibu-Chichibu Station or Chichibu Railway's Ohanabatake Station.
- Address: Map
4. Saitama Prefecture: Satte Gongendo Sakura Tsutsumi (Prefectural Gongendo Park)
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"Satte Gongendo Sakura Tsutsumi" (幸手権現堂桜堤) is lined with about 1,000 Somei-yoshino cherry trees which form a 1km long tunnel. The yellow field of canola flowers, the pale pink Somei-yoshino cherry blossoms, and the blue sky on a sunny day create an exquisite contrast. During the cherry blossom festival, an illumination is held (cancelled in 2022). Unlike the cherry blossoms in the daytime when they are bathed in sunlight and blooming vividly, you can enjoy a magical view of the cherry blossoms at night.
Spot Information
- Best time for cherry blossoms: Late March to early April
- Access: About 6 minutes by bus from "Satte Station" (Satte Eki) bus stop to "Gongendo" bus stop, about 10 minutes on foot
- Address: Map
5. Kanagawa Prefecture: Yokohama Minatomirai Sakura-dori Street and etc.
Among the many cherry blossom viewing spots in "Yokohama Minatomirai" area, one of the most popular spots is Sakura Street, which is lined with about 100 cherry blossom trees for about 500m. Every year, the "Sakura Festa" is held on this street, where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms while enjoying the food truck and gourmet food. At night, the Ferris wheel and Yokohama Landmark Tower are lit up in cherry blossom colors.
Spot Information
- Best time for cherry blossoms: Late March to early April
- Access: About 5 minutes on by walk from JR Sakuragicho station
- Address: Map
6. Kanagawa Prefecture: Negishi Forest Park
"Negishi Forest Park" (根岸森林公園) is a nature park located on the hills of Yokohama City. In the park, there is a "Sakurayama" where about 400 cherry trees, mainly Somei-yoshino cherry trees, planted to color the lush green scenery. On the lawn square near Sakurayama, you can see locals enjoying cherry blossom viewing in their own style by spreading picnic sheets or setting up simple tents. In addition, there are late-blooming cherry blossoms along the paths in the park, meaning you can appreciate the cherry blossoms for a slightly longer period.
Spot Information
- Best time for cherry blossoms: Late March to early April
- Access: About 15 minutes on foot from JR Negishi Station or Yamate Station
- Address: Map
7. Chiba Prefecture: Sakuma Dam Lake Water Park
Sakuma Dam Lake Water Park (佐久間ダム湖親水公園), with about 2,200 cherry blossom trees planted along the walking path, is one of Chiba's leading cherry blossom viewing spots. The best time for the cherry blossoms viewing is long, starting with Yoritomo-zakura (Kawazu cherry trees) in mid-February, followed by Jindai-akebono, Somei-yoshino, and Yae-zakura until mid-April. For that reason, cherry blossom festivals are held twice, one in February when Yoritomo cherry blossoms can be enjoyed, and one in March and April when Somei-yoshino cherry trees are in full bloom (cancelled in 2022).
Spot Information
- Best time for cherry blossoms: Mid-February to mid-April
- Access: About 35 minutes from JR Awa-Katsuyama Station to the "Sakuma Dam Iriguchi" bus stop, right after getting off
- Address: Map
8. Gunma Prefecture: Akagi Nanmen Senbonzakura
"Akagi Nanmen Senbonzakura" (赤城南面千本桜) is a 1.3km floral tunnel of cherry blossoms. It is one of the "Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots", with more than 1,000 Somei-yoshino cherry trees blooming lively together.
In the adjacent "Miyagi Senbonzakura no Mori Park" (みやぎ千本桜の森公園), you can enjoy about 500 cherry trees of 37 varieties, including those from overseas. During the best time for cherry blossom viewing, the Akagi Nanmen Senbonzakura Festival is held along with light-up events. You can enjoy the fantastic night cherry blossoms stood up from the darkness of the night together with food from stalls.
Spot Information
- Best time for cherry blossoms: Early April to mid-April
- Access: About 20 minutes by taxi or Furusato Bus from Ogo Station on the Jomo Electric Railway
- Address: Map
9. Ibaraki Prefecture: Kairakuen
At "Kairakuen" (偕楽園), one of the "Three Great Gardens of Japan", you can enjoy about 600 cherry trees of various varieties, including Somei-yoshino. Among them, there are rare cherry blossoms that bloom twice a year, such as the Nikizaki-zakura (二季咲桜), which has fewer flowers from autumn to winter and more flowers in spring. Among them, the most rare is the Nikizaki-zakura cherry tree in front of Kobuntei, the former villa of the feudal lord of Mito Domain. This cherry tree branches to the left and right, and each branch blooms flowers of different colors.
Spot Information
- Best time for cherry blossoms: Late March to early April
- Access: About 20 minutes from "Mito Station North Exit" bus stop to "Kairakuen-mae", about 3-5 minutes on foot after getting off
- Address: Map
10. Tochigi Prefecture: Tempyo-no-Oka Park
At "Tenpyo-no-Oka Park" (天平の丘公園), you can appreciate about 500 cherry trees including 350 Yae-zakura trees. Among them, the descendant trees of Japan's three major cherry trees, the national Natural Monument Neodani Usuzumi-zakura, Miharu Taki-zakura, and Yamataka Jindai-zakura, are ones that you should definitely see. In spring, the Tenpyo Flower Festival (cancelled in 2022) is held where you can enjoy local gourmet food. There is also an old private house cafe in the park. You can take out a bento and eat like a picnic while watching the cherry blossoms.
Spot Information
- Best time for cherry blossoms: Late March to early May
- Access: About 10 minutes by taxi from JR Koganei Station.
- Address: Map
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