The popular Sakura, “Somei-Yoshino” cherry blossoms are almost in full bloom in Tokyo.
There are many well known spots such as, Ueno park or Imperial palace, but we would like to give you some good spots for cycling as well.
The cherry blossom cycling spots we recommend are all close to the central Tokyo area, such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shinagawa. If you are in the central Tokyo area, please check out!
First, Meguro river.
Meguro river cherry blossoms
Meguro river is getting really famous for cherry blossoms recently.
Meguro river runs all the way from Tokyo bay area Tennozu-Isle to Nakameguro and even further.
Many cherry trees are on both sides of this Meguro river.
You can enjoy cycling all the way alongside the river.
Meguro river cherry blossomsMeguro river cherry blossomsMeguro river cherry blossomsMeguro river cherry blossoms
Meguro river cherry blossomsMeguro river cherry blossoms
Second is Yoyogi park.
Yoyogi park cherry blossoms
Yoyogi park is located just behind JR Harajuku station and is well known, yet very big with lots of nature.
There are cycling roads in this park, and you can enjoy cycling as well.
Yoyogi park cherry blossomsYoyogi park cherry blossomsYoyogi park cherry blossoms
Third is Kamuro zaka Dori street.
Kamuro zaka dori street cherry blossoms
This is near Fudo-mae station, Tokyo Meguro line.
From the bottom of this street, you can enjoy the tunnel of cherry blossoms as you go up the street.
After passing Somei Yoshino Sakura trees, dark pink Sakura “Kawazu Zakura” cherry blossoms appear.
Kamuro zaka dori street cherry blossomsKamuro zaka dori street cherry blossomsKamuro zaka dori street cherry blossoms
Fourth is “Tachiaigawa Green Way” in Nishi- Koyama area.
Tachiaigawa Greenway street cherry blossoms
This street is not far from Kamuro Zaka Dori street.
It’s located near Nishi Koyama station, Tokyu Meguro line.
Tachiaigawa Green Way street cherry blossoms
We will share more cherry blossoms cycling spots in the next blog, Part 2!
It’s a little early for popular kind Sakura “Somei Yoshino”(It’s March 4th today), but different kind of Sakura called “Kawazu Zakura” is already blooming in Tokyo.
There are lots of famous spots for Sakura viewing in Tokyo, but we would like to share some not-so-noticed Sakura spots in Tokyo.
These spots are in central Tokyo, so if you are living in Tokyo, or if you are staying in Tokyo, they must be easy places to visit.
Cycling to these places are fun day trips as well!
Today, we would like to share some places where you can enjoy early kind Sakura “Kawazu Zakura”.
Best time to visit for this Sakura is in February, from mid-February to late February.
First place is famous park in Shibuya, Tokyo, called “Yoyogi Park”.
This park is well known as popular “Somei Yoshino” Sakura, but there are some “Kawazu Sakura” too. If you visit there in February, you can enjoy these early Sakura.
Second Sakura spot is “Ebara shrine”, which is located beside Meguro river, near “Shimbamba station” (Keikyu line).
Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom spot travel guide Ebara shrine
Sakura here is another different kind called “Kanzakura”, and is the earliest Sakura in Tokyo.
You can see this Sakura starts blooming in early February!
Third spot is “Rinshi-no-mori park” in Shinagawa ward.
Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom spot travel guide Rinshi-no-mori parkTokyo Sakura cherry blossom spot travel guide Rinshi-no-mori park
This is a huge park, and just walking/cycling inside this park is also fun.
“Kawazu Zakura” trees in this park are big and very gorgeous!
You can enjoy having picnic under the cherry blossoms.
Next Sakura spot is “Happo-en” in Minato ward.
“Happo-en” is a luxury event hall for weddings and parties.
Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor landscape Sakura cherry tree
I am obsessed with Sakura cherry blossoms.
Sakura is Japanese symbol.
We admire Sakura cherry blossoms in many ways.
Sakura is connected to our Japanese culture deeply.
Since ancient time, Japanese people enjoyed watching Sakura, called “Ohanami” (meaning “watch flowers”)
Spring time, under Sakura trees were full of people, sitting and having picnic.
This “Ohanami” habit is still very popular in Japan.
We see “Sakura forecast” (when cherry blossom start to bloom) on the TV news.
When Sakura starts to bloom, people start going out to have picnic under the Sakura trees.
This is our major Spring event.
We also eat Sakura flowers and leaves.
Pickled Sakura flowers and leaves are used for sweets or tea.
Tea leaf container or other tools are made using Sakura trees.
We have music about Sakura, called “SAKURA”, and all Japanese should know this song.
We have color called “SAKURA color”, which is light sensitive pink.
Sakura is used as Japanese symbol in many situations.
Sakura is very familiar flower for Japanese people.
Sakura cherry blossom time is very short, about one week.
When it starts blooming, it goes very quick to be full bloom, and as soon as it becomes full bloom, leaves start to come out and flowers start falling.
So the short period in full bloom and the beauty of Sakura flowers are often likened to the fragility of human life.
That is why cherry blossoms are symbol of beauty and transience.
I love Sakura, and cherry blossom time makes me excited.
Painting Sakura makes me happy and this is a good meditation for me.
That is why I keep painting Sakura.
Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor ZEN style SHIDARE SakuraJapanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor ZEN style Sakura cherry blossom artJapanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor landscape Sakura cherry blossom in full moon nightJapanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor Sakura cherry tree in full bloomJapanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor Kimono style YOZAKURA night cherry blossomJapanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor Sakura cherry blossom