I , like 90% of other Tokyoites, make a full-time job out of finding the prettiest sakura locations.
Cherry blossoms (sakura, as they are called in Japanese) only bloom for a few days at a time -which is why even Japanese locals freak out over them. It’s about luck and flexible plans. Even those who want to take part in hanami picnics can’t plan until the very last minute.
The best way to find out when and where to find cherry blossoms in Japan is to use a cherry blossom forecast calendar. The calendar suggestions will change and locations vary closer to the dates.
These have been our favourite spots over past the few years.
I highly recommend keeping an eye on instagram as you go to make sure you visit each spot at the right time.
Although there are just a few areas with a few cherry blossom trees out right now… I thought I would post this now so you could keep an eye out and plan a little bit ahead.
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The most spectacular cherry blossom spot I’ve ever found was here. At Asukayama Park in Kita-ku.
It was at the end of the cherry blossom session and, in the same way that I love fallen leaves at the end of Autumn, I made the most magical pink carpet. I never wanted to leave.
It is approximately 18 mins from Tokyo Station if you travel by train to Oji Station.
See here for how to book a private driver to take you to some of or all of these locations in Tokyo.
The playground is incredible (although the slides are steep so, while my 4 year old was fine, I chose to ride with my 2 year old for safety reasons. There is a “toddler” playground if you prefer to avoid the big slides) There is an old tram and steam engine for kids to explore too. The park is particularly spectacular in Cherry Blossom season and I can imagine Autumn is also breath-taking.
There are plenty of restrooms and change tables and ramps around the park, which makes it really easy with strollers.
1-1-3 OJI, KITA-KU
北区王子1-1-3
30 mins by train from Tokyo Station to Asukayama Station.
This is the most central of my recommendations – Roppongi.
I mention 3 spots in Roppongi and they are all a few steps from one another.
First one -just behind Tokyo Midtown department store is a large open park (Hinokicho Park) with a few pieces of playground equipment. There is also a pond and area to have a sit-down picnic. There are often art installations and special events held in certain sections of the park grounds.
Last year, the cherry blossoms were so lovely ! And If you make a reservation to have a meal at one of the restaurants overlooking the park – the views are truly spectacular. (I recommend booking an outside seat at Napule Pizzeria.)
Another restaurant that also looks over the park?
Another fabulous restaurant in the same complex (and if you sit on the terrace during the christmas season or cherry blossom season you can take in the amazing views of the park and lights) is Nirvana New York. This is an Indian Fusion restaurant. Babies and kids allowed and there is also space for strollers. This is the partner restaurant to the that of the same name in Central Park New York which opened in the 1970s. This is also a great space to dine with a large group or organise a private function. This restaurant offers some vegan dishes and some vegan courses (the vegan shishkebab is delicious!)
Lunch time is an all you can eat indian buffet for 3000 yen per adult! (a little cheaper on a weekday) and kids under 6 eat free!
Nirvana New York accept most major credit cards. This restaurant feels fancy but the prices are reasonable and the view is so lovely. They do take reservations.
At lunchtime I recommend budgeting for 3000-3500 yen per adult and at dinner more like 5000 yen.
NIRVANA NEW YORK
港区赤坂9-7-4 東京ミッドタウン ガレリア ガーデンテラス 1F
GROUND FLOOR, TOKYO MIDTOWN ROPPONGI IN THE GALLERIA GARDEN TERRACE SECTION (FACING THE PARK), 9-7-4 AKASAKA, MINATO-KU
OPEN EVERYDAY FOR LUNCH 11AM-3:30PM (LAST ORDERS 2:30PM)
OPEN EVERYDAY FOR DINNER 5PM-11PM (LAST ORDERS 10PM)
9-7-1 AKASAKA
赤坂9-7-1
OPEN 5AM-11PM
Mohri Park at Roppongi Hills! (see my Roppongi with kids blog post for things to do in this area because there is a free kids play area here and sooo many museums and kid-friendly restaurants.)
MOHRI GARDEN
ROPPONGI HILLS COMPLEX,
HILLSIDE SECTION, B2 FLOOR, 6-11-1 ROPPONGI
六本木6-11-1 六本木ヒルズB2
Then you can walk to the Robot Park in Roppongi. At peak cherry blossom season – this whole park and the walk down the hill to the park are covered in cherry blossoms.
For other things to do in Roppongi, please see my post here.
See here for restaurants with high chairs in Roppongi.
Showa Kinen Park is a fantastic place to have a day out and spring is the best time!
It is gorgeous.
The park is so big that we have never covered all of the playgrounds in one full day – we have had to split it up. Actually, the park is one of Tokyo’s largest parks… it’s more than 1.49 square kilometres in size! Whether you are there for the play equipment, a picnic, the bouncy domes, the ride-on train or to rent bikes – it’s a beautiful day out. The food trucks are everywhere so if you forget your picnic there isn’t any need to worry.
You can book a private driver to take you here as it is a bit out of town. Alternatively, you can take a train from Tokyo Station to Tachikawa Station – it will take approx 40 mins.
SHOWA KINEN PARK
東京都立川市緑町3173
3173 MIDORI-CHO, TACHIKAWA CITY, TOKYO
OPEN: 9:30AM-5PM (CLOSES AT 4:30PM IN WINTER, OPEN UNTIL 6PM APRIL-SEPTEMBER)
CLOSED: MONDAYS (AND TUESDAYS IF MONDAY IS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY)
PRICE: SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN 80 YEN, ADULTS 400 YEN
ACCESS: 50 MINS BY TRAIN OR CAR FROM THE CENTRE OF TOKYO
WEBSITE
If it turns out that you like the bigger parks outside of Tokyo, I think you’ll also enjoy this post on other lovely open park options.
The outskirts of the Imperial Palace – but start at Kudanshita Station and walk all the way along from the station to Kitanomaru Park (the walk takes around 5 minutes.).
The park has lots of open space so its perfect for a picnic and great for kids to have a run around and play.
I then recommend walking along (another 15 minutes walk) to Chidorigafuchi Park (its a strip of trees right by the water – there is a small playground half way along too.).
It is possible to rent a boat on the river in the same area too (at Chidoriga-fuchi moat.). See here for places to eat and play with kids before or after taking in the blossoms- not too far away from here is The Tokyo Station area. The Ginza area. Toranomon Hills is also not too far away.
It was so beautiful that I went back again with my husband for date night a few days later.
It was just the most beautiful fairy garden. We didn’t even bring a picnic this time. Just the walk itself (Chiyodorigafuchi Park) itself was just so breathtaking.
KITANOMARU PARK
千代田区、北の丸公園1-1
1-1 KITANOMARUKOEN, CHIYODA-KU
