When and where to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo in 2026

Livestreaming of cherry blossoms

Cherry blossom season in Tokyo

From late March to early April, Tokyo transforms as cherry blossom fever grips the city. We introduce the latest 2026 forecast and the best spots to enjoy these beautiful symbols of spring.

Cherry blossom - or sakura - season in Tokyo is truly a magical experience. Thousands of trees burst into bloom, dousing the streets with stunning shades of pink. The flowers are a national obsession and people flock to parks to hold hanami parties and picnics to view and photograph them. Stores will stock their shelves with sakura-themed or flavored items, such as sakura bento lunch boxes and even serve pink sakura drinks. As if shaking off the winter, a bright and optimistic atmosphere fills the city.

2026 cherry blossom forecast

At the beginning of each year, the cherry blossom forecast is eagerly awaited. Broadcast on national television, viewers will anticipate when best to hold their hanami flower viewing parties.
The 2026 cherry blossom season in Tokyo is forecast to begin on March 21. It normally takes about one week to 10 days from flowering to full bloom.
Note: Forecast is according to data from the Japan Weather Association, January 29, 2026.

Best sakura festivals and cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo

Tokyo is full of well-known as well as hidden spots for viewing blossoms. However, for the full hanami experience, soak up the vibrant atmosphere of a festival. We've selected seven popular events where you can admire the flowers' ephemeral beauty and join Tokyoites in having fun and welcoming the spring.

Nakameguro Cherry Blossom Festival

The hip yet laid-back neighborhood of Nakameguro is full of trendy coffee shops and cafes. Its typically quiet canal comes to life in spring. A prime example of this is the Nakameguro Cherry Blossom Festival, hosted by the Nakameguro Station Front Shopping Street Promotion Association, which draws large crowds every year.

There will be music, performance art, and other activities to enjoy at Goryuten Playground in Nakameguro. For 15 days after blossoming, the cherry blossoms will be illuminated with lanterns from 17:00-20:00.

Rikugien Gardens

There is a word in Japanese known as "yozakura" and it is definitely something worth experiencing. Literally, "night sakura," the blossoms are lit up in night creating an otherworldly ethereal scene that is hauntingly beautiful. One of the best examples is the weeping cherry at Rikugien. The gardens were constructed in 1702 by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, a feudal lord and vassal to the shogun (military commander), who was inspired by the picturesque scenes in waka poetry. Walking past the front gate within the gardens brings into view an approximately 70-year-old impressive shidarezakura (weeping cherry blossom) tree. Even today, its branches are covered in pale pink flowers during cherry blossom season, cascading downwards like a waterfall. Another must-see is Rikugien’s “Spring Special Evening Opening,” when the cherry blossoms are illuminated.

It's a unique opportunity to enter the gardens at night. The park beautifully lights up its weeping cherry trees, island, the site of a former sakura-viewing pavilion, and a pond.

Sakura Fes Nihonbashi

Nihonbashi was a former commercial center in the Edo period (1603–1867) and is now known for its upscale retail, as well as large financial institutions. City center it may be, it knows how to celebrate cherry blossoms and does so in all sorts of creative and innovative ways. During “SAKURA FES NIHONBASHI,” held from mid-March to early April, the entire Nihonbashi area showcases the allure of cherry blossoms in a variety of ways.

Restaurants and shops all over the Nihonbashi area will be offering a special "Sakura Menus & Goods" featuring spring and cherry blossom-themed items. A wide range of sweets, snacks, bento lunch boxes, and products will be available.
At night, historical buildings like the Mitsui Main Building will be illuminated in soft pink light. The atmosphere of Nihonbashi and the beauty of the cherry blossoms make for a wonderful combination.

Bokutei Sakura-matsuri Festival

You may have noticed that cherry blossoms often line the moats of castles and canals, their reflections amplifying the spectacle. Sumida River in the east of Tokyo is no exception. During the Edo period, Yoshimune, the eighth Tokugawa shogun (military commander), ordered the planting of cherry blossom ("sakura" in Japanese) trees along both banks of the Sumida River. Ever since, the river has been one of Tokyo's most famous cherry blossom spots. The kilometer-long sakura boulevard running from Azumabashi Bridge to Sakurabashi Bridge is especially popular and has attracted large crowds for centuries. An event where you can soak up that old downtown atmosphere is the Bokutei Sakura-matsuri Festival.

At night, the cherry blossoms are lit up, as is the towering TOKYO SKYTREE. You can stop by booths run by local councils and groups such as the Meihin Meitenkai Cooperative, and tourism associations, as well as geigi teahouses run by the Mukojima Bokutei Cooperative. Another popular thing to do is charter a yakatabune (a traditional Japanese boat) to take you out on the river to view the blossoms.

Sakura Festival in Chiyoda

Just north of the Imperial Palace, the Chidorigafuchi Green Way provides a peaceful path away from the bustle of the city and, in spring, it becomes a 700-meter-long cherry tree tunnel. If you’d like to enjoy even more cherry blossoms, head to the Sakura Festival in Chiyoda.

The Chiyoda Sakura-matsuri Festival will be held for an extended period starting in 2025. A variety of events are held in Chiyoda City during the spring, including a campaign offering discounts and perks at stores and other facilities. The annual yozakura, or nighttime illumination of cherry blossoms, will be held in Chidorigafuchi from late March to early April(2025-3-28 - 2025-4-8). As of 2025, some boat rides can even be reserved in advance. This allows you to rent a boat at your desired time without having to wait in line.
Note: Please visit the reference link for information about reserving boats in advance.

Ueno Sakura Matsuri

Ueno Park is one of Tokyo's most popular leisure spaces, housing a variety of museums, the charming Shinobazu Pond and even a zoo. Its avenue of cherry trees along the main path is famous across Japan, even earning recognition in a haiku by the renowned poet Matsuo Basho. In spring, the Ueno Sakura Matsuri is held around this cherry-tree avenue, drawing large crowds of cherry-blossom viewers.

During the festival, the path will be illuminated by 800 hanging lanterns.
Ueno Park began as grounds for Toeizan Kaneiji Temple, where some members of the Tokugawa family—who ruled Japan in the Edo period—are buried. In modern times, hundreds of thousands of visitors visit every day during cherry blossom season. Come and enjoy the extraordinary beauty of 800 Somei-yoshino cherry trees in full bloom, and discover other park events such as the Aozora Antique Market.

Ueno Tourism Federation

Koganei Cherry Blossom Festival

Every year during cherry blossom season, Koganei Cherry Blossom Festival takes place in late March in Koganei Park, and the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum in western Tokyo host a popular, lively event featuring folk entertainment and music. One such event is the Koganei Cherry Blossom Festival.

The Koganei Cherry Blossom Festival takes place from late March to early April every year at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum in Koganei Park.
Koganei Park is home to 1,400 cherry trees representing some 50 varieties. Don't miss the Somei-yoshino cherry blossoms in the square by the museum.
Enjoy stage performances of music, dance, and Japanese taiko drumming by local groups. There will also be around 40 food and drink stalls where you can try both local and regional specialties.
At the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, there will be a tea ceremony and ikebana displays. People of all ages are welcome to come and enjoy the festival.