Sakura spot | Connect Japan and the world through Japanese spirituality｜ Japan Cross Bridge

2021-03-282021-03-28

Cherry blossoms viewing cycling spots in Tokyo – Part 3

Tokyo Institute of Technology Ookayama campus cherry blossoms

Cherry blossoms viewing cycling spots in Tokyo – Part 3

In this Part 3, we would like to show you more of central Tokyo cherry blossoms cycling spots.

We have more Sakura cycling spots in Part 1 and Part 2 blogs, please check them too if you just found our blog for the first time!

First, Senzokuike park.

Senzokuike park is beside Senzokuike station, Tokyu Ikegami line.

This park has a big pond, with lots of Koi fish as well.

In one part of this park, there are many cherry trees.

It’s not in the wide area, but those cherry trees are close together and really gorgeous.

Second is Tokyo Institute of Technology Ookayama campus, in Ookayama.

This is not far from Senzokuike, probably about 10mins cycling from there.

Tokyo Institute of Technology Ookayama campus

And if you keep cycling from Tokyo Institute Technology Ookayama campus toward Toritsu Daigaku station, you will hit to Nomikawa Greenway street.

Nomikawa Greenway street has so many cherry trees all the way to Toritsu Daigaku station.

Finally, We would like to share the good cycling and cherry blossoms viewing spot.

It is called Kitazawagawa Greenway.

This is beside the small stream called “Kitazawagawa”.

Meguro river ends at Nakameguro, and after Nakameguro, it becomes to a few small streams, and this is one of them.

This Kitazawagawa Greenway goes from Toho university medical center Ohashi hospital in Ikejiri Ohashhi to all the way toward Shimokitazawa.

This greenway has two sidewalks, one for pedestrians and one for cyclists, so you can enjoy cycling easily.

2021-03-272021-03-27

The reason why cherry trees were planted

Japanese painting art Sakura cherry blossoms

The reason why cherry trees were planted.

Have you ever thought about the reason why cherry trees were planted?

In Japan, we can see so many cherry trees in everywhere.

Many of them are really old, few hundred years old.

An interesting point is, many cherry trees are planted by rivers.

This has a reasonable reason.

Ancient Japanese people planted cherry trees by rivers, so that many people would come and see the beautiful cherry blossoms.

They knew that many people visiting and walking there, would help make the soil harden, and help make the solid river bank.

So cherry trees were planted as a flood control measures.

Another interesting point is, that many cherry trees are in shrines and temples as well.

Shrines are Shintoism, and originally have deep relations with pine trees, but not with cherry trees.

However, people thought cherry blossoms’ gracefulness symbolizes the samurai spirit, and many shrines preferred to plant cherry trees as well.

Temples are Buddhism which has the deep relations with flowers.

They admired cherry blossoms as well as plum blossoms.

We cannot talk about Japanese history without the relations with temples.

Muromachi era, Sengoku era, around 13C to 16C, many temples already had cherry trees.

Famous Samurai and shogun enjoyed Sakura viewing “Ohanami” since then.

In Japan, people enjoy Sakura viewing “Ohanami” since ancient time, and this is a Japanese culture.

Many famous Sakura spots in Kyoto and Nara are in temples and shrines.

In Tokyo too, many famous Sakura spots are in temples and shrines, as well as by rivers, or near the water.

Ueno park, where many people visit for Sakura viewing, was once a temple.

Imperial palace is surrounded with moat.

Meguro river, Kanda river, Sumida river, Tamagawa river, Arakawa river, are all famous Sakura spots.

Our Japanese painting art Sakura cherry blossoms series

Our Sakura cherry blossoms jewelry series

2021-03-252021-03-28

Cherry blossoms viewing cycling spots in Tokyo Part 1

Tokyo cherry blossoms spots for cycling Part 1

It’s a cherry blossoms season!

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 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.

Second is Yoyogi park.

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.

Third is Kamuro zaka Dori street.

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.

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.

We will share more cherry blossoms cycling spots in the next blog, Part 2!