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Tokyo Meguro River Cherry Blossom Guide 2025: Peak Season and Cruises

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Tokyo Meguro River Cherry Blossom Guide 2025: Peak Season and Cruises

Meguro River is one of Tokyo’s top cherry blossom spots, offering many great viewing areas. This article covers the peak season, top spots for viewing, and information on the cherry blossom festivals.

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Meguro River: Tokyo’s Top Cherry Blossom Spot

Meguro River meanders through Setagaya, Meguro, and Shinagawa in Tokyo. It’s famous for the 800 cherry trees that line both sides of the river over a stretch of four kilometers.

Due to being a famous cherry blossom spot, Meguro River attracts many visitors each spring with crowds expected during the peak season.

In this article, we cover the best spots to view cherry blossoms along Meguro River, the peak bloom times, hanami (flower viewing) cruises, and information on nearby cherry blossom festivals for those planning to visit Tokyo to see the cherry blossoms.

Meguro River Cherry Blossom Guide

1. Meguro River: A Yearly Popular Cherry Blossom Spot
2. Meguro River’s Cherry Blossom Season
3. Best Spots to View the Cherry Blossoms
4. Enjoy the Blossoms with a Hanami Cruise!
5. Meguro River Cherry Blossom Festival
6. Frequently Asked Questions

Meguro River: A Yearly Popular Cherry Blossom Spot

meguro river cherry blossoms

Photo by Pixta
Meguro River is one of Tokyo’s best cherry blossom spots. The 800 cherry trees that line both sides of the river stretch over four kilometers, making it a spectacular sightseeing spot.

The cherry blossoms are primarily Yoshino cherries, with delicate white-pink flowers that evoke spring in Japan.

It’s also recommended to visit during the day, but the cherry blossoms are illuminated at night, allowing you to enjoy the sight of the glowing cherry blossoms against the night sky. The illuminations are on from sunset until around 20:00, so if you want to see the night cherry blossoms, be sure to visit during this time.

Meguro River’s Cherry Blossom Season

meguro river cherry blossoms

Photo by Pixta

The best time to see the cherry blossoms along Meguro River is typically from late March to early April. This period may vary slightly depending on weather conditions.

As mentioned later, cherry blossom festivals are held around Meguro River to coincide with the peak bloom, making your visit even more enjoyable.

Moreover, crowds are expected as Meguro River is a popular spring spot. Areas where cherry blossom festivals are held will be especially crowded. Naka-Meguro Station is the closest, but during peak season, congestion is expected even within the station.

If you want to avoid the crowds as much as possible, we recommend visiting on a weekday or early in the morning.

Best Spots to View the Cherry Blossoms

Meguro River flows over four kilometers, offering several spots where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms.

In this section, we'll introduce spots divided by areas: the midstream area of Meguro River, Nakano Bridge, and the upstream area of Meguro River.

Feel free to choose the spot that’s easiest for you to visit.

1. Midstream Area of Meguro River

meguro river cherry blossoms

Photo by Pixta
The first area we’ll introduce is the midstream area of Meguro River, where Naka-Meguro Station is located. It’s incredibly convenient, just a minute’s walk from the station to the river.

Additionally, when the peak season arrives, the annual cherry blossom festival will be held near the midstream area of Meguro River. You can enjoy delicious food and lively music along with the blossoms, creating a joyful atmosphere to welcome spring.

However, Naka-Meguro Station tends to be the busiest of all the stations near the river. It’s expected to be very crowded during the peak season, so it might be a good idea to plan ahead and head out earlier.

2. Nakano Bridge

meguro river cherry blossoms

Photo by Pixta
Our second recommended spot is Nakano Bridge, the most symbolic among the many bridges that span Meguro River. Its bright red color makes it easy to spot, so you’ll recognize it right away.

It’s a popular spot that’s undeniably photogenic, especially when you take a picture with the surrounding cherry blossoms in full bloom.

While stopping to take pictures on the bridges near Naka-Meguro Station is prohibited for safety reasons, photography is allowed on Nakano Bridge. You can safely capture fun moments with friends or a loved one here.

3. Upstream Area of Meguro River

meguro river cherry blossoms

Photo by Pixta
The third recommended spot is the upstream area of Meguro River, located near Ikejiri 3-chome in Setagaya. The nearest station is Ikejiri-Ohashi Station.

This area has a narrow river width with a cherry blossom arch stretching over it. When you look up from the bridge, the canopy of blossoms is so dense that you can’t see the sky.

As you gradually move downstream, food stalls will begin to appear, allowing you to experience the lively atmosphere. It’s a great idea to take your time gazing at the cherry blossoms upstream, then heading to the midstream area to enjoy the events.

Enjoy the Blossoms with a Hanami Cruise!

meguro river cherry blossoms

Photo by Pixta
One recommended way to enjoy the cherry blossoms is by taking a hanami (flower viewing) cruise on Meguro River. A highlight of this experience is being able to enjoy the cherry blossoms in full bloom from the comfort of a cruise boat.

While the ground will be crowded with people, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in peace away from the hustle and bustle by taking a hanami cruise.

You’ll have the chance to see the cherry blossoms falling onto the river and, on evening cruises after sunset, enjoy the sight of the blossoms illuminated by the boat’s lights, creating a magical atmosphere.

Individuals can also reserve a hanami cruise, which is a great option for those who want to enjoy a peaceful time alone.

Meguro River Cherry Blossom Festivals

meguro river cherry blossoms

Photo by Pixta
To fully experience the cherry blossoms at Meguro River, we recommend attending a cherry blossom festival.

Several cherry blossom festivals are held around Meguro River. The 2025 event schedule has yet to be announced, but the 2024 festivals took place in late March during the peak blooming period for the cherry blossoms.

Here are a few festivals you can attend: the Naka-Meguro Cherry Blossom Festival, held near the junction of Meguro River and Jakuzure River; the Meguro River Cherry Blossom Festival. held at Dendo Square Park near Meguro Station; and the Arukas Spring Festival, held at the Naka-Meguro Atlas Tower Plaza.

At the Naka-Meguro Cherry Blossom Festival, you can enjoy the night cherry blossoms enchantingly illuminated by bonbori paper lanterns. The festival runs until around 20:00, making it a perfect spot for a date.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the peak blooming period at Meguro River?

It is typically from late March to early April. As the peak season is expected to be crowded, we recommend visiting on weekdays or early in the morning if you want to avoid the crowds.

When are the Meguro River cherry blossom illuminations?

Information for 2025 has yet to be released. For reference, the illuminations in 2024 were held from March 18 to March 30 between 17:00 and 20:00.

Can I have a hanami picnic at Meguro River?

Picnics with blankets are prohibited along Meguro River. Please enjoy the cherry blossoms while walking.

What’s the nearest station to the Meguro River cherry blossoms?

The river is about a one minute walk from the Naka-Meguro Station East Exit, a nine-minute walk from the Daikanyama Station Central Exit, and a 13-minute walk from Ebisu Station Exit 4. The closest station is Naka-Meguro Station.

Do I have to pay to see the cherry blossoms at Meguro River?

It doesn’t cost anything to see the cherry blossoms at Meguro River. Entry is free, so feel free to enjoy the cherry blossoms however you like.

Experience Spring with Meguro River Cherry Blossoms!

We’ve introduced several wonderful must-visit spots along Meguro River, one of Tokyo’s best cherry blossom spots.

Among the highlights, the cherry blossoms illuminated at night are exceptional, allowing you to experience the arrival of spring in a magical atmosphere.

Several cherry blossom festivals are held once the peak bloom arrives, so we recommend attending one. You can enjoy the cherry blossoms together with a variety of food, music, and entertainment.

If you want to fully experience spring in Tokyo, why not consider visiting Meguro River to see the cherry blossoms?

Hotels near Meguro River Cherry Blossom Trees


大石彩鳥

Written by

大石彩鳥

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