Tokyo Cherry Blossoms, Art, and Seasonal Food: 2023 Two-Day Spring Itinerary

Enjoy Tokyo's Cherry Blossoms Through All Senses

Photo by Pixta
More than just beautiful views, Japan's cherry blossom season is a feast for all senses with seasonal treats and special events. We suggest saving at least two days to enjoy Tokyo's cherry blossoms to the fullest.

Our recommended spring itinerary for 2023 features the cherry blossom art events at teamLab Planets and Yamatane Museum of Art, nighttime cherry blossom light-ups, and restaurants that serve exquisite seasonal menus and sweets.

Book the Tokyo Subway Ticket (24, 48, or 72 Hours) to get around Tokyo conveniently.

Two-Day Cherry Blossom Itinerary in Tokyo

Day One
1. Morning: Cherry Blossom Viewing in Sumida Park
2. Early Afternoon: TeamLab Planets - Cherry Blossom Art Exhibition
3. Late Afternoon: Edogawa Park and Teatime or Dinner
4. Evening: Cherry Blossom Illuminations
Day Two
5. Morning: Mt. Fuji and Cherry Blossoms - Exhibition at Yamatane Museum of Art
6. Early Afternoon: Stroll along Meguro River
7. Late Afternoon: Cherry Blossom Lunch or Teatime
8. Evening: Cherry Blossom Illumination Art in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Other Options and Tips
Sumida River Cruises, Mt. Fuji Day Trips, and Other Spring Activities

Day 1 Morning: Cherry Blossom Viewing in Sumida Park

Photo by Pixta

While places like Ueno Park and Meguro River might be famous for their cherry blossoms, visit Sumida Park near Tokyo Skytree and Asakusa in order to enjoy the blooms at leisure. Despite its location near Tokyo landmarks, this park is significantly less crowded than other places.

There are plenty of trees with low branches for you to take close-up pictures of cherry blossoms with the river or Tokyo Skytree in the background.

Picture from Japan's Seasons in Photos - April: Lovely Cherry Blossoms

If you stay around until noon and the weather is good, why not have lunch as a picnic under the blossoms? Tokyo Solamachi, the shopping complex at the bottom of Tokyo Skytree, has shops on its first floor selling bento lunch boxes and take-out dishes.

There are excellent restaurants on the seventh floor of Tokyo Solamachi; consider them if the weather requires dining indoors. From sushi to tempura, soba noodles, and grilled dishes, there is something here to satisfy any customer.

If you've never climbed up to the Tokyo Skytree observatory, now is a great chance to enjoy the breathtaking views from above!

Sumida Park

Tokyo, Sumida Ward, Mukojima 1-3

Early Afternoon: Interactive Art at teamLab Planets

Picture courtesy of PR Times

Two of the art installations within teamLab Planets Tokyo feature a cherry blossom theme allowing visitors to experience these flowers in a unique way.

The interactive exhibits Floating in a Falling Universe of Flowers and Drawing on the Water Surface Created by the Dance of Koi and People - Infinity can be enjoyed for a limited time, only until Apri 30, 2023.

Book your teamLab Planets Tokyo ticket in advance.

The easiest way to reach teamLab Planets from Sumida Park is to board a train on the Toei Asakusa Line from Asakusa Station to Shimbashi Station (*this part of the ride is covered by the Tokyo Subway Ticket). At Shimbashi, you'll have to change to the Yurikamome Line and get off at Shin-Toyosu Station, the nearest to the museum.

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Late Afternoon: Edogawa Park and Teatime or Dinner

Photo by Pixta

The place that we recommend for afternoon cherry blossom viewing is Edogawa Park in Tokyo's Bunkyo ward. If you depart from Shin-Toyosu, take the Yurikamome Line to Toyosu Station, then change to the Yurakucho Line, which will bring you directly to Edogawabashi Station in 20 minutes.

Bunkyo Ward Edogawa Park has rows of cherry trees on both banks of Kanda River. It has been a famous cherry blossom viewing spot for at least three centuries. The branches lying heavy with blooms over the river create a magnificent view.

Picture courtesy of PR Times

Stop for afternoon tea or dinner at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, located right by the park. This hotel is renowned for its refined afternoon noon tea menu served at lobby lounge Le Jardin; in spring, this teatime menu has a cherry blossom theme.

The Evening High Tea served at the outdoor Serenity Garden or dinner at one of the eight restaurants within the hotel are also excellent ways to enjoy exquisite seasonal menus.

Picture courtesy of PR Times

Chinzanso Garden, home to several varieties of cherry trees, is beautifully illuminated in the evening. Until April 9, the garden hosts a cherry blossom light art event and its sea of clouds will have pink hues enhancing the springtime atmosphere.

Evening: Cherry Blossom Illuminations

Picture from Japan's Seasons in Photos - April: Lovely Cherry Blossoms

Nighttime cherry blossom illuminations are one of the spring highlights in Japan and shouldn't be missed. While simple, the cherry blossom illuminations in Edogawa Park are splendid and can be enjoyed for free. The beauty of the blossoms at night is surreal!

Edogawa Park

2-1 Sekiguchi, Bunkyo ward, Tokyo

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Day 2 Morning: Mt. Fuji and Cherry Blossoms - Exhibition at Yamatane Museum of Art

Picture courtesy of Klook
The Yamatane Museum of Art is hosting the special exhibition Mt. Fuji and Cherry Blossoms: From Hokusai’s Fuji to Togyū’s Cherry Blossoms, to mark the anniversary of a decade since Mt. Fuji has been designated a World Heritage site. The event is scheduled to run until May 14, 2023.

This exhibition features precious works from the Yamatane Museum Japanese art collection and is a great chance to see how cherry blossoms and Mt. Fuji have inspired artists throughout the centuries.

Book your Mt. Fuji and Cherry Blossom exhibition ticket in advance.

Picture courtesy of Klook

After enjoying the exhibition, stop by Cafe Tsubaki within the museum for a bowl of green tea and seasonal wagashi (Japanese sweets).

Yamatane Museum of Art

3-12-36 Hiroo, Shibuya ward, Tokyo

Early Afternoon: Stroll along Meguro River

Photo by Pixta

The Yamatane Museum of Art can be easily reached from Hiroo Station (Tokyo Metro), which gives you easy access to Nakameguro Station and the Meguro Station area. It will be hard to resist the temptation to see Meguro River, one of Tokyo's major cherry blossom spots.

If it's peak season, arm yourself with courage and caution because the area will be very crowded. If you do get a chance to take pictures of the blossoms, though, they will be nothing short of spectacular.

Late Afternoon: Cherry Blossom Lunch or Teatime at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo

Sakura lunch menu at Ristorante Canoviano. Picture courtesy of PR Times

If you're in Meguro, do stop by Hotel Gajoen Tokyo for lunch or tea time. The restaurants and cafes within the hotel serve cherry blossom inspired menus until April 9, 2023. These seasonal treats are a feast for the eyes and the palate.

Sakura afternoon tea at Cafe Yui-an. Picture courtesy of PR Times

The Sakura Afternoon Tea menu includes cherry blossom sweets, some of which can be purchased at the hotel shop as souvenirs. For details on their sakura event, please refer to this page (Japanese).

Evening: Cherry Blossom Illumination Art in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Picture courtesy of PR Times

Tokyo's iconic public garden, the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, is hosting a special event in collaboration with digital art unit NAKED, Inc. The approx. 900 cherry trees of 70 varieties found in the garden will be illuminated after dark by the mesmerizing art of this unit.

This light-up is held between 19:00 and 21:00 every day until April 23, 2023. Access the garden through the Shinjuku Gate, which will be open after dark just for this event.

Tickets can be purchased at the venue (Monday - Thursday: adults 1,800 yen, high-school students and up, persons over 65 of age, and children 1,200 yen; Friday - Sunday and public holidays: adults 2,200 yen, high-school students and up, persons over 65 of age, and children 1,600 yen).

Book your NAKED Sakura Night Garden at Shinjuku Gyoen 2023

Shinjuku Gyoen

11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0014

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Other Options: Sumida River Cruises, Mt. Fuji Day Trips, and Other Seasonal Activities

Fuji Shibazakura Festival. Picture courtesy of PR Times

If you'll be spending some more time in Tokyo in spring, consider going on a Sumida River Cruise from Asakusa to Odaiba or on a day trip to the Fuji Shibazakura Festival (April 15 - May 28) to see a pink carpet of moss phlox flowers with Mt. Fuji in the background.

Alternatively, explore some of the cherry blossom locations introduced in the article below:

Book the Tokyo Subway Ticket (24, 48, or 72 Hours) to get around Tokyo conveniently.

We hope the tips featured above will help you make the most of this year's cherry blossom season in Tokyo. Remember that the blooms are around just for a little while so do try to enjoy them through all senses.

Main image by Pixta