CHERRY BLOSSOMS WITH KIDS IN TOKYO

Although I’ve lived in Japan for over a decade in total, we are coming up to our 3rd cherry blossom season in Tokyo and I , like 90% of other Tokyoites, make a full-time job out of finding the prettiest sakura locations.

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. I have a post here on how I use Pinterest and Instagram to help me plan seasonal outings in Japan.

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.

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.)

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

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.

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.

ASUKAYAMA PARK
1-1-3 OJI, KITA-KU
北区王子1-1-3

Nakameguro River is probably the most famous cherry blossom viewing spot when the blossoms are at their peak. And warning? It gets so so so busy. The vibe is just so fun though – and you definitely shouldn’t miss it.
Most of the local restaurants have a stall set up outside to sell street-versions of their food and lots and lots of pink champagne. It’s really fun.

For other ideas around the Nakameguro river area, please see my post here.

Showa Kinen Park is a fantastic place to have a day out and spring is the best time! The cherry blossoms are out and there is also the Spring Flower Festival from April 1, 2018.
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.

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.

And then in Roppongi, 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, Roppongi, with the view of the park.

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)

HINOKICHO (TOKYO MIDTOWN) PARK
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.)