10 Best Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Kanto, Japan

"Sumida Park" (隅田公園 / Sumida Kōen) is one of the "Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots" and straddles both banks of the Sumida River. The row of cherry blossom trees that stretches for about 1km was originally planted in the Edo period. The park is home to cherry blossoms such as Somei-yoshino and weeping cherry blossoms (shidare-zakura) reaching full bloom in spring as well as the cherry blossom festival held during sakura season. It is lit up at night, so you can enjoy a fantastic scenery that is completely different from the daytime. Another attraction of this park is that the world's tallest tower, the Tokyo Sky Tree, can be seen through the canopy of cherry blossoms. We also recommend viewing the cherry blossoms from a water bus or a houseboat.

"Chidori-ga-fuchi" (千鳥ヶ淵) is the moat of the Imperial Palace, where more than 1,000 cherry trees are grown. During the "Chiyoda City Sakura Festival", it is lit up and a fantastic atmosphere can enjoyed. Chidori-ga-fuchi has many cherry blossom viewing spots such as the 700m-long promenade "Chidori-ga-fuchi Green Road". About 260 cherry trees are planted on both sides of the footpath, mainly Somei-yoshino cherry trees. On the biggest cherry blossom viewing spot, which is the moat, you can enjoy the scenery that can only be seen from a sightseeing boat.

"Hitsujiyama Park" (羊山公園 / Hitsujiyama Kōen) in Saitama Prefecture has a moss phlox (shiba-zakura) hill that boasts one of the largest planted areas in the Kanto region. More than 400,000 moss phlox in 10 different colors, including dark pink, light pink, and white, spread all over the grounds, making the hill look like a flower field in a movie or drama. The pattern drawn with moss phlox is an inspired by the dynamism of the Chichibu Night Festival, which is designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the costumes of the musicians. Every year, the "Shiba-zakura Festival" is held during the flowering season in spring. Be sure to enjoy Chichibu's local cuisine along with the festival!

"Satte Gongendo Sakura Tsutsumi" (幸手権現堂桜堤) is lined with about 1,000 Somei-yoshino cherry trees which form a 1km long tunnel. The yellow field of canola flowers, the pale pink Somei-yoshino cherry blossoms, and the blue sky on a sunny day create an exquisite contrast. During the cherry blossom festival, an illumination is held. Unlike the cherry blossoms in the daytime when they are bathed in sunlight and blooming vividly, you can enjoy a magical view of the cherry blossoms at night.

Among the many cherry blossom viewing spots in "Yokohama Minatomirai" area, one of the most popular spots is Sakura Street, which is lined with about 100 cherry blossom trees for about 500m. Every year, the "Sakura Festa" is held on this street, where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms while enjoying the food truck and gourmet food. At night, the Ferris wheel and Yokohama Landmark Tower are lit up in cherry blossom colors.

"Negishi Forest Park" (根岸森林公園) is a nature park located on the hills of Yokohama City. In the park, there is a "Sakurayama" where about 400 cherry trees, mainly Somei-yoshino cherry trees, planted to color the lush green scenery. On the lawn square near Sakurayama, you can see locals enjoying cherry blossom viewing in their own style by spreading picnic sheets or setting up simple tents. In addition, there are late-blooming cherry blossoms along the paths in the park, meaning you can appreciate the cherry blossoms for a slightly longer period.

Sakuma Dam Lake Water Park (佐久間ダム湖親水公園), with about 2,200 cherry blossom trees planted along the walking path, is one of Chiba's leading cherry blossom viewing spots. The best time for the cherry blossoms viewing is long, starting with Yoritomo-zakura (Kawazu cherry trees) in mid-February, followed by Jindai-akebono, Somei-yoshino, and Yae-zakura until mid-April. For that reason, cherry blossom festivals are held twice, one in February when Yoritomo cherry blossoms can be enjoyed, and one in March and April when Somei-yoshino cherry trees are in full bloom (cancelled in 2022).

"Akagi Nanmen Senbonzakura" (赤城南面千本桜) is a 1.3km floral tunnel of cherry blossoms. It is one of the "Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots", with more than 1,000 Somei-yoshino cherry trees blooming lively together.

In the adjacent "Miyagi Senbonzakura no Mori Park" (みやぎ千本桜の森公園), you can enjoy about 500 cherry trees of 37 varieties, including those from overseas. During the best time for cherry blossom viewing, the Akagi Nanmen Senbonzakura Festival is held along with light-up events. You can enjoy the fantastic night cherry blossoms stood up from the darkness of the night together with food from stalls.

At "Kairakuen" (偕楽園), one of the "Three Great Gardens of Japan", you can enjoy about 600 cherry trees of various varieties, including Somei-yoshino. Among them, there are rare cherry blossoms that bloom twice a year, such as the Nikizaki-zakura (二季咲桜), which has fewer flowers from autumn to winter and more flowers in spring. Among them, the most rare is the Nikizaki-zakura cherry tree in front of Kobuntei, the former villa of the feudal lord of Mito Domain. This cherry tree branches to the left and right, and each branch blooms flowers of different colors.

At "Tenpyo-no-Oka Park" (天平の丘公園), you can appreciate about 500 cherry trees including 350 Yae-zakura trees. Among them, the descendant trees of Japan's three major cherry trees, the national Natural Monument Neodani Usuzumi-zakura, Miharu Taki-zakura, and Yamataka Jindai-zakura, are ones that you should definitely see. In spring, the Tenpyo Flower Festival is held where you can enjoy local gourmet food. There is also an old private house cafe in the park. You can take out a bento and eat like a picnic while watching the cherry blossoms.