[Tokyo Spring Sightseeing] Enjoy Tokyo with Cherry Blossom Spots and Japanese Culture

Tokyo is colored by cherry blossoms, a special time only available in spring

Spring in Tokyo is the best season for sightseeing, with cherry blossoms in full bloom and the weather being mild.

Cherry blossom viewing is a must-do experience on a spring trip to Tokyo. Cherry blossom viewing is a seasonal event unique to Japan where people enjoy the arrival of spring while admiring the cherry blossoms. There are many different styles of cherry blossom viewing, from picnic-style viewing in the park to walking around taking photos. It's an experience that will make your trip even more memorable.

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In this article, we'll introduce nine locations in the Shinjuku and Hibiya areas, which are convenient bases for travel, where you can enjoy famous cherry blossoms and experience Japanese spring culture.

Family trip, girls trip, group trip... Find the perfect place for your travel style.

• Table of Contents
• The exciting city of Shinjuku and its surrounding areas
• 1. Shinjuku Gyoen | Cherry Blossom Picnic in an Urban Oasis
• 2. Yoyogi Park | Cherry Blossom Walk and Harajuku Culture
• 3. Kichijoji/Inokashira Park | Cherry Blossom Viewing on the Water from a Swan Boat
• 4. Showa Memorial Park | A park where you can spend the whole day enjoying the blooming spring flowers
• A base for enhancing your trip: Recommended hotels in Shinjuku
• Sophisticated Hibiya/ Ginza and surrounding areas
• 5. Shiba Park and Zojoji Temple | The striking contrast of cherry blossoms and Tokyo Tower
• 6. The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace: Experience the Quiet Spring of Tokyo at the Site of Edo Castle
• 7. Chidorigafuchi | Enjoy the cherry blossom "tunnel" from a water boat
• 8. Rikugien Garden | Experience the quiet spring with weeping cherry blossoms and a Japanese garden
• 9. Ueno Park | From the bustling cherry blossom-lined streets to a stroll that satisfies your intellectual curiosity
• A base where you can enjoy the sophistication of Hibiya and Ginza on a daily basis

The exciting city of Shinjuku and its surrounding areas

Shinjuku is a terminal where JR trains, subways, and express buses converge. It's easy to get to Tokyo's major tourist destinations, making it a very convenient base for your stay. Shinjuku is a place where urban convenience and a diverse culture come together, from shopping to gourmet food. It's a lively area that's perfect for any trip, whether it's a family trip, a group trip with friends, or a girls' getaway.

1. Shinjuku Gyoen | Cherry Blossom Picnic in an Urban Oasis

This is a quiet and spacious garden that is hard to believe is within walking distance of Shinjuku Station. There are about 1,000 cherry trees within the garden, and because there are many varieties, the best time to see them is relatively long, so even if you're staying for a short time, it's easy to find somewhere in full bloom. The lawn area is also spacious, making it easy to relax.

Access to Shinjuku Gyoen

10 minutes walk from Shinjuku Station on the JR, Keio and Odakyu lines.

Photo courtesy of Shinjuku Gyoen Management Office

2. Yoyogi Park | Cherry Blossom Walk and Harajuku Culture

Yoyogi Park, just a few minutes by train from Shinjuku, is a park with such openness that it's hard to believe it's in the heart of Tokyo. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom throughout the park, allowing you to feel the "spring in Tokyo" while taking a walk.

Additionally, food events and markets are sometimes held on weekends, allowing you to enjoy the excitement of local Japan.

Furthermore, right next door is Meiji Shrine, with its beautiful, quiet forest approach, and within walking distance is Harajuku, the center of fashion and culture, and Omotesando, where the latest trends are gathered, making it an easy spot to combine Japanese culture and shopping in one day.

Access to Yoyogi Park

It takes about 5 minutes from JR Yamanote Line Shinjuku to Harajuku. It is a 3-minute walk from Harajuku.

3. Kichijoji/Inokashira Park | Cherry Blossom Viewing on the Water from a Swan Boat

Just 15 minutes by train from Shinjuku, Kichijoji is a little removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, where you can enjoy the pleasant flow of "everyday Tokyo life." It's fun to get lost in the backstreets of second-hand clothing stores and general stores, and stylish cafes where sunlight filters through the trees. A stroll through the town will take you to Inokashira Park, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot. The view of the cherry blossoms in full bloom from the water while rocking on a popular swan boat is truly spectacular. Another popular route is to immerse yourself in the world of the adjacent Mitaka Museum, Mitaka, making this a luxurious area where you can enjoy both culture and nature at the same time.

Access to Kichijoji

It takes about 12 minutes from JR Chuo Line Shinjuku Station to Kichijoji Station. From Kichijoji, it is a 5-minute walk to Inokashira Park.

4. Showa Memorial Park | A park where you can spend the whole day enjoying the blooming spring flowers

Showa Memorial Park is about a 30-minute train ride from Shinjuku and is well worth the extra trip, making it especially recommended for family trips due to its overwhelming size and extensive facilities.

In spring, in addition to cherry blossoms, tulips, canola flower and other flowers reach their peak.

By simply getting away from the city center, you can refresh yourself in nature and spend a special day enjoying spring in Tokyo, with everyone from children to adults being able to enjoy it to the fullest.

Access to Showa Memorial National Government Park

It takes about 26 minutes from Shinjuku Station on the JR Chuo Line to Tachikawa. It is a 10-minute walk from Tachikawa.

A base for enhancing your trip: Recommended hotels in Shinjuku

If you want to make the most of the Shinjuku area, we recommend a hotel that's not only close to the station, but also offers a sense of calm away from the hustle and bustle. Take a stroll to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden early in the morning, or enjoy dinner late into the night. With Shinjuku as your base, you can travel freely to any part of Tokyo.

Recommended hotel "JR KYUSHU HOTEL Blossom Shinjuku" just a 3-minute walk from Shinjuku Station

Although it is located in the heart of Shinjuku, once you step inside you will find yourself in a surprisingly calm and relaxing space.

The charm of JR KYUSHU HOTEL Blossom Shinjuku is its quiet rooms that will help you forget the hustle and bustle of the city. Located just three minutes from the station, it minimizes the stress of travel and maximizes your precious time to relax.

[JR KYUSHU HOTEL Blossom Shinjuku] Book at the best rate

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Sophisticated Hibiya/ Ginza and surrounding areas

Hibiya and Ginza are areas in Tokyo where tradition and modernity are in perfect harmony. With rows of cherry blossoms along the moat of the Imperial Palace, world-class shopping streets, and first-class restaurants, you can experience more than just sightseeing here; you can also experience the sophisticated lifestyle of Tokyo.

5. Shiba Park and Zojoji Temple | The striking contrast of cherry blossoms and Tokyo Tower

Just a few minutes by subway from the Hibiya area, Shiba Park offers a beautiful contrast between Tokyo Tower and the cherry blossoms against the spring sky.

From the grounds of Zojoji Temple, you can see Tokyo Tower over the traditional temple, making it a popular spot to take photos that symbolize "old Japan x modern Tokyo."

Access to Shiba Park

It is about 1 minute from Uchisaiwaicho Station on the Toei Mita Line to Onarimon Station. It is a 2-minute walk from Onarimon Station.

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6. The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace: Experience the Quiet Spring of Tokyo at the Site of Edo Castle

The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are a rare walking spot in the city center where you can walk around the remains of Edo Castle, the castle of the Tokugawa Shoguns who ruled Japan during the Edo period. The castle tower (the large tower at the center of the castle) no longer remains, but historical sites such as gates and Ishigaki remain, allowing you to experience the scale of history.

In spring, the cherry blossoms bloom within the garden, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing cherry blossom viewing experience alongside the historical scenery. If you're lucky, you might even spot carp swimming around the pond in Ninomaru Garden.

Access to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

It takes about 4 minutes from Uchisaiwaicho Station on the Toei Mita Line to Otemachi Station. It is about a 5-minute walk from Otemachi Station.

7. Chidorigafuchi | Enjoy the cherry blossom "tunnel" from a water boat

Chidorigafuchi, which stretches along the moat of the Imperial Palace, is one of Tokyo's most famous cherry blossom viewing spots. In spring, the entire promenade along the moat is enveloped in cherry blossoms in full bloom, and the scenery reflected on the water's surface is exceptional.

Our top recommendation is to take a boat ride to look up at the cherry blossoms from the water. Relaxing and enjoying the moment when the petals flutter in the air with your loved ones will be a memory that can only be experienced in spring in Tokyo.

Access to Chidorigafuchi

It takes about 7 minutes from Uchisaiwaicho Station on the Toei Mita Line to Jimbocho Station. It takes about 22 minutes on foot from Jimbocho Station.

8. Rikugien Garden | Experience the quiet spring with weeping cherry blossoms and a Japanese garden

Rikugien is a Japanese garden where you can enjoy the carefully crafted scenery in tranquility. The main attraction in spring is the large weeping cherry tree. The scenery changes around the pond, and the more you walk, the more beautiful it becomes, so we recommend taking your time to walk around. It is perfect for those who want to spend a calm spring time, different from the lively cherry blossom viewing.

Access to Rikugien Garden

It takes about 21 minutes from Shimbashi Station on the JR Yamanote Line to Komagome Station. It is a 7-minute walk from Komagome Station.

9. Ueno Park | From the bustling cherry blossom-lined streets to a stroll that satisfies your intellectual curiosity

Ueno Park, easily accessible by train from the Hibiya and Ginza areas, is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot and also an area with many cultural facilities.With the Tokyo National Museum, other museums, art galleries, and a zoo all within walking distance, it's a great place to plan a fulfilling family or group trip.

During the cherry blossom season, the walking route through the spacious park is lined with cherry blossoms, allowing you to experience the bustle of spring in Tokyo. Many food stalls line the streets, and one of the pleasures is eating your way around while enjoying the fragrant smells and festival atmosphere. In between walks, you can also enter indoor facilities depending on the weather and your mood, giving you a sense of security that is unique to Ueno.

Access to Ueno Park

It takes about 11 minutes from Shimbashi Station on the JR Yamanote Line to Ueno. It is a 2-minute walk from Ueno.

A base where you can enjoy the sophistication of Hibiya and Ginza on a daily basis

To fully experience this area, where Tokyo's culture and history intersect, your accommodation must offer both tranquility and mobility. Take a leisurely stroll along the cherry blossom-lined streets of Hibiya Park in the morning, then actively explore the city during the day. And enjoy dinner in the sophisticated streets of Ginza in the evening. Moving freely between the hustle and bustle of the city every day will transform your limited time into an irreplaceable, high-quality experience.

The recommended hotel " THE BLOSSOM HIBIYA " combines the elegance of Hibiya and Ginza with the convenience of Shimbashi Station

The nearest station to THE BLOSSOM HIBIYA, Shimbashi Station, not only has direct access from both Narita and Haneda Airport without changing trains, but also offers direct access to major spots such as Shibuya and Akihabara via the JR Yamanote Line. Furthermore, Uchisaiwaicho Station on the subway is also nearby, allowing you to use different lines depending on your destination, giving you the freedom to travel wherever you want.

The elegant atmosphere of Hibiya and Ginza and the convenience that Shimbashi boasts are combined in this base, making your spring stay in Tokyo more comfortable and stylish.

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