Experience Cherry Blossom Viewing
in Tokyo
At the start of spring it is customary for people to gather in parks and
along riverbanks to view the cherry blossoms, whilst drinking and chatting
with friends or colleagues. This custom is called hanami (lit.
flower viewing) and listed below are some of the most popular places to
enjoy hanami around Tokyo.
Ueno Park
1 minute from Ueno Station
Ueno Park has long been considered one of the best places to hold a cherry
blossom viewing party, and is a firm favorite of company employees and
families alike. The park can accommodate many large groups, and there is
no shortage of great viewing spots thanks to the vast number of cherry
trees (over 1,000). You may take your own food and drink, or else purchase
from the plethora of yatai (stalls) selling traditional festival food.
The park also boasts a beautiful lake and contains Japan's oldest zoo.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3050.html
Chidori-ga-fuchi Minakami Park
5 minutes from Kudanshita Station
Chidori-ga-fuchi is a unique spot in that you can enjoy some 260 cherry
trees alongside the moat of the Imperial Palace, either on foot or by boat.
Feel a sense of Edo Japan, as you enjoy the spectacular scenery in this
tranquil setting. Note that it is prohibited to hold drinking parties at
this site.
http://www.weekender.co.jp/new/guides/guide-hanami.html
Hama-Rikyu Garden
10~15 minutes walk from Shimbashi Station
Considered one of the prime examples of a traditional public park, Hamarikyu
offers a real sense of tranquility, allowing you to escape from the hustle
and bustle of city life. Take in the cherry blossom against a variety of
backdrops as you stroll around this beautiful garden. There is also a traditional
tea house in the center of the pond, where you can stop for a refreshing
cup of green tea served with Japanese sweets.
http://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/english/park/detail_04.html#hamarikyu
Tokyo has many other great cherry blossom-viewing spots. For more details
please visit the following websites (2007):
http://www.tcvb.or.jp/en/hot/sizzling/0703//sakura_place_en.htm
http://www.tcvb.or.jp/en/hot/sizzling/0703//sakura_event_en.htm
Those looking for different ways to celebrate the cherry blossoms may
be interested in cruising the Tokyo Mizube Line & viewing the Fukagawa
Cherry Blossom Festival, both of which took place last year and will be
repeated in 2008.
Tokyo's Waterfront
From late March to the middle of April the Tokyo Mizube Cruising Line offers
visitors the chance to cruise along the Sumida and Arakawa rivers around
the Odaiba area and enjoy the cherry blossoms from the water. The pleasure
boats provide a unique way to marvel at the beauty of the cherry blossom,
whilst at the same time taking in the sites of the city. The course lasts
50 minutes on weekdays and 2 hours on weekends, with boats also available
for private charter.
The Tokyo Water Cruise (Sujijo-bus) also operates popular cruises in the
Tokyo Bay area that are ideal for making the most of the cherry blossom
season.
http://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/english/business/index.html
http://www.suijobus.co.jp/english/index.html
Fukagawa Cherry Blossoms Festival
The area around Monzen-nakacho Station to Takabashi has many riverbanks
lined with cherry trees, allowing visitors the chance to enjoy the cherry
blossom by boat and on foot. The boat course is usually a 40-minute round
trip, taking in the most spectacular spots and runs from late March to
mid-April.
http://www.fukagawa-kanko.com/
(Japanese)
Other Flower Events
The spring in Tokyo is more than cherry blossoms, below are other popular
annual flower events:
Azalea Festival (Nedu Shrine)
Held from early April to the beginning of May, the grounds contain some
3000 trees and over 50 varieties of azaleas. There are both early and late
bloomers, so there are plenty of azaleas to enjoy throughout the whole
period. The event also has some shows and performances over the weekend,
such as taiko drumming, tea ceremony and koto harp music.
http://www.nedujinja.or.jp/tutuji/t.html
(Japanese)
Wisteria Festival (Kameido Shrine)
Kameido has been considered a major wisteria viewing site since the Edo
period, and the place still has a sense of those times gone by. The festival
features over 100 trees spanning more than 600 square meters, and in full
bloom the 10,000 flowers light up the grounds in a myriad of color.
http://www.kameidotenjin.or.jp/koyomi/index.html
(Japanese)
For information on other spring flower events, please check out the
following link (2007):
http://www.tcvb.or.jp/en/hot/sizzling/0704/news0704_3.htm
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