Bokutei Sakura-matsuri Festival 墨堤さくらまつり

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 Sumidagawa 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. At night, the cherry blossoms are lit up, as is the towering Tokyo Skytree. You can stop by booths run by local councils, business associations such as the Meihin Meitenkai Cooperative, and tourism associations, as well as geisha 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.