Tokyo Cherry Blossom Guide 2026: Bloom Dates, 12 Must-Visit Spots, Transport, Food and Hotels

Tokyo Cherry Blossom Guide 2026: The Full Sakura Season Explained

Tokyo’s cherry blossom season is one of the most anticipated events of spring each year; in 2026 the blossoms started on March 19 and reached full bloom on March 28. This guide covers the best viewing spots, transport and hotel recommendations for Tokyo’s sakura season.

Tokyo Cherry Blossom Forecast 2026

In 2026 the Japan Meteorological Agency announced Tokyo’s first bloom (at the Yasukuni Shrine sample tree) on March 19, five days earlier than normal; full bloom was on March 28, three days earlier than normal. In a typical year the best viewing period falls from late March to early April; check official bloom reports from the Meteorological Agency and each spot before you go.

Check live bloom conditions ahead of time, and visit on a weekday to avoid the crowds.

Works well as the main morning or afternoon activity in your itinerary.

How Are Tokyo’s “First Bloom” and “Full Bloom” Determined?

The Meteorological Agency observes cherry blossoms at sample trees in each region: the first day with 5 to 6 or more open flowers on the tree is called “first bloom,” and the first day when about 80% or more of the buds are open is called “full bloom.” Tokyo’s sample tree is in the grounds of Yasukuni Shrine in Chiyoda Ward, where staff of the Tokyo District Meteorological Observatory go to check it.

In 2026 the Agency confirmed 61 open flowers on the sample tree on March 19 and announced the first bloom, with full bloom on March 28. Trees at each spot differ in age and sunlight, so actual conditions vary slightly; before you go, check both the Meteorological Agency and each spot’s official bloom updates.

Which Spots Are Must-Visits for Tokyo Cherry Blossoms in 2026? 12 Classic and Local-Favorite Picks

Meguro River

One of Tokyo’s famous cherry blossom spots. Along both banks of the Meguro River, about 3.8 km from Ikejiri-Ohashi to Meguro, about 800 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees form a long tunnel of blossoms. Every sakura season there are evening illuminations along the river, making it a popular viewing spot.

Address: Nakameguro, Meguro Ward, Tokyo

For the evening illumination, in 2026 it ran for about two weeks from Tokyo’s first bloom date, from 17:00 to 20:00 each day; the Nakameguro Sakura Festival is held on weekends in late March, and actual dates follow official announcements from Meguro Ward.

Ueno Onshi Park

One of Japan’s most iconic cherry blossom spots, with about 800 cherry trees in the park, mainly Somei-Yoshino and mountain cherry. Every sakura season Ueno Onshi Park holds large hanami events that draw big crowds.

Address: Ueno Park, Taito Ward, Tokyo

During cherry blossom season, set out early and bring a picnic mat and light snacks to enjoy hanami culture.

Shinjuku Gyoen

One of the largest parks in Tokyo, with more than 1,000 cherry trees including Somei-Yoshino and mountain cherry. Shinjuku Gyoen has a wide variety of cherries and a long viewing period, making it an ideal place for hanami.

Shinjuku Gyoen is a national garden managed by the Ministry of the Environment, with adult admission of ¥500; from March 15 to September 30 it is open 9:00 to 18:00 (last entry 17:30). The garden has about 1,000 cherry trees of 65 varieties, blooming from early-flowering varieties in February through late April. For details, see the Ministry of the Environment’s Shinjuku Gyoen official website.

Address: Naito-cho, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo

Sumida Park

A park along the Sumida River with about 300 cherry trees on the Sumida Ward side and about 400 on the Taito Ward side, with evening illumination around the north side of Kototoi Bridge (in 2026, from sunset to 21:00). The cherry blossoms and the Sumida River’s water view complement each other, forming a beautiful hanami scene.

Address: Mukojima, Sumida Ward, Tokyo

Chidorigafuchi

A famous cherry blossom spot along the moat on the northwest side of the Imperial Palace, where about 230 cherry trees droop over the water along a promenade of about 700 meters, one of Tokyo’s most iconic views. At the Chidorigafuchi boat dock (March 1 to November 30, about 11:00 to 17:30) you can rent a small boat and row into the moat to look up at the blossoms against the stone walls of Edo Castle, and it is even dreamier during the evening illumination.

Address: Sanbancho, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo

The boat ride involves queuing, so go early on a weekday or around the illumination period, and expect big crowds during cherry blossom season.

Rikugien

A Japanese garden in Bunkyo Ward whose giant weeping cherry is one of the earliest-blooming in all of Tokyo; when illuminated at night it seems to glow in the darkness, with a quiet, elegant atmosphere completely different from the lively mood of the Somei-Yoshino blossoms.

Address: Honkomagome 6-chome, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo

Weeping cherries usually reach their best viewing time before Somei-Yoshino hit full bloom, so check bloom progress before you go.

Rikugien admission is generally ¥300, open 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:30); for special evening viewing dates and times, see the Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association website.

Yoyogi Park

A large city park near Harajuku and Shibuya, where the broad lawns and cherry trees are one of Tokyo residents’ top choices for hanami picnics, with a relaxed, easygoing mood, good for spending a whole leisurely afternoon with a picnic mat.

Address: Yoyogi Kamizono-cho, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo

On holidays the lawn is hard to find a spot on, so arrive early to claim one, and consider combining it with a day around Meiji Jingu and Harajuku.

Asukayama Park

A family-friendly cherry blossom spot in Kita Ward with about 650 cherry trees, free admission and a free self-propelled monorail, the “Asuka Park Rail” (nicknamed Asukaruko), that takes about 2 minutes to climb to the hilltop, with a play area under the cherry trees, great for viewing blossoms with children and one of Tokyo’s long-established hanami spots.

Address: Oji 1-chome, Kita Ward, Tokyo

It is right outside JR Oji Station, very convenient, and works well as one stop on a family itinerary.

Inokashira Onshi Park

One of the “100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan,” located in Kichijoji, with about 500 cherry trees, about 250 of them around the pond; visitors can ride a swan boat to see the blossom reflections drooping over the water up close, a romantic atmosphere that couples love.

Address: Gotenyama, Musashino City, Tokyo

It is close to the Kichijoji shopping district and the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, so you can shop and eat after viewing the blossoms.

Koishikawa Korakuen

An Edo-period garden right next to Tokyo Dome, where the red weeping cherries and the stroll-garden landscaping set each other off, a hidden hanami spot of calm amid the bustle where you can also appreciate the refined design of an Edo-period daimyo garden.

Address: Korakuen 1-chome, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo

It has relatively few visitors, suiting travelers who want to avoid crowds and stroll leisurely among the blossoms. Admission is generally ¥300, open 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:30).

Yasukuni Shrine

The Somei-Yoshino in the shrine grounds is Tokyo’s officially designated “sample tree”: whenever it has five or more open flowers, the Meteorological Agency issues Tokyo’s “first bloom declaration,” marking the official start of cherry blossom season, which makes it highly significant.

Address: Kudankita 3-chome, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo

It is next to Chidorigafuchi, so you can visit both on the same day; note that it is also the venue for the Noh stage evening cherry blossom events.

Early-Blooming Kawazu-zakura Spots: Kiba Park and the Old Nakagawa River Bank

To see Kawazu cherries in Tokyo, there is Kiba Park (Kiba 4-chome, Koto Ward, Tokyo), with about 100 Kawazu cherries whose deep-colored flowers bloom early, from mid-February to early March. The bank of the Old Nakagawa River also lets you capture Kawazu cherries together with Tokyo Skytree, a popular photo spot. Visit from mid-February to early March, and do not confuse them with the late-March Somei-Yoshino.