Cherry blossom season in Tokyo

What it is

Tokyo's cherry trees usually open in the last days of March and are over within a week or two. The custom of gathering under them to eat and drink is called hanami, flower viewing. Ueno Park is the big, noisy version, with picnic sheets under an avenue of trees. At Chidorigafuchi, the moat of the old castle, you can row a boat under hanging branches. Along the Meguro River, rows of trees meet over the water and lanterns are lit at night. Most of the trees are one variety, Somei-yoshino, so the whole city flowers and falls at nearly the same time.

Before you go

• Follow the blossom forecast, which is published from late winter and updated often.
• Go early on a weekday morning for a calmer view.
• Never shake branches or pick blossoms. Take your picnic rubbish home.

The flowers you will see

Cherry blossomThe spring-blooming flower of ornamental cherry trees, central to Japan’s hanami custom

Also part of it, and being written: Prunus × yedoensis.

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HanamiThe Japanese tradition of gathering to enjoy cherry blossoms in spring

More in Tokyo

🇯🇵 Tokyo · Feb to NovShinjuku Gyoen through the seasonsA large former imperial garden in central Tokyo with a long cherry season and an autumn chrysanthemum show. 🇯🇵 Tokyo · All yearOta Market flower auctionJapan's biggest wholesale flower market, where early risers can watch the auction from a gallery. 🇯🇵 Kyoto · Mar to AprPhilosopher's Path in cherry seasonA canal-side walk of about two kilometres in eastern Kyoto, lined with cherry trees. 🇯🇵 Hirosaki · Apr to MayHirosaki Castle cherry blossomA northern castle park with thousands of cherry trees and moats that turn pink with fallen petals. 🇯🇵 Hitachinaka · Apr to OctNemophila hill at Hitachi Seaside ParkA hill by the Pacific covered in small sky-blue flowers in spring and red kochia bushes in autumn. 🇯🇵 Ashikaga · Apr to MayWisteria at Ashikaga Flower ParkVast old wisteria vines trained over trellises, with flower trails hanging to head height.