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Cherry Blossoms And Sweets! Hop On The Tokyo Sakura Tram In Spring
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Some of the most beautiful cherry blossom spots in Tokyo are located along the Tokyo Sakura Tram Line. Enjoy the splendid views and cherry blossom-inspired season limited sweet treats by riding the nostalgic Tokyo Sakura Tram!
Written by
Web content editor and travel writer at MATCHA.
Ride the Tokyo Sakura Tram and Enjoy the Cherry Blossom Season!
Picture courtesy of Toei Transportation
Cherry blossom season is one of the most awaited times of the year in Japan. The beautiful blooms that fill the parks with hues of white and pink are, of course, the highlight of the season.
But more than that, there is an authentic "cherry blossom culture" in Japan that can be experienced from March to April when the cherry trees are in bloom. Many restaurants offer season limited dishes decorated with sakura motifs. And cherry-blossom themed seasonal sweets and souvenirs fill the shelves of the shops.
If you visit Tokyo in spring, do enjoy Japan's cherry blossom culture to the fullest by visiting the parks around the city and tasting the season-limited treats. We recommend taking a ride on the Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line), which was named like that because the streetcar line passes through some of the best places to enjoy the cherry blossoms in Tokyo.
What's more, if you use the convenient Toden One-day Pass (400 yen), you can get off and on the tram how many times you want during that day! This means that you can visit several cherry blossom spots around the city and spend only 400 yen on transportation for the day. The Toden One-day Pass can be purchased directly from the driver or from the Minowabashi Omoidekan, which has a Toden ticket counter.
If you wish to use the Toei subway lines and the Toei buses, or even the Nippori-Toneri Liner on the same day, we recommend purchasing the Toei One-day Pass (700 yen), which covers unlimited rides on the entire Toei transportation network for one day. This ticket can also be purchased from the tram driver.
For more information on other convenient tickets, please check this official website.
We will now introduce a recommended cherry blossom itinerary along the Tokyo Sakura Tram Line.
8:45 -- Arrive at the Minowabashi, the Starting Point of the Tokyo Sakura Tram Line
We recommend starting off your Tokyo cherry blossom itinerary from the Minowabashi, the very first stop of the Tokyo Sakura Tram Line. The Minowabashi Stop is located about five minutes away on foot from Minowa Station (Hibiya Line) in a quiet residential area.
Minowabashi is the only tram stop that has been designated as one of the most beautiful one hundred stations in eastern Japan. It has been treasured by the locals, many of whom remember the early days of the tram line, long before Tokyo's complex underground transportation system was developed.
Get on the Tokyo Sakura Tram and you'll notice that even the stop marks are cherry-blossom shaped. This shows this line's strong connection to Tokyo's cherry blossom spots. The picture above was taken in the tram but the line maps use the same symbol.
Minowabashi Omoidekan is a facility that opened in Minowabashi October 2018. In addition to tram tickets, you can purchase here souvenirs and Tokyo Sakura Tram goods, so do stop by.
The Toden One-day Pass can also be purchased on the tram from the driver. Please tell them to give a Toden One-day Pass. Once you purchase it, you can use it the whole day just by showing it to the driver when you get on the tram. When you present it to the driver, please make sure the date printed on the ticket is visible.
Take the 9:08 tram that leaves for Waseda and get off after 3 minutes, at Arakawa Nichome, which is located near a beautiful park full of cherry trees.
9:15 - 10:00 -- View the Cherry Blossoms in Arakawa Nature Park
Arakawa Nature Park is a public park located in a quiet residential area. Although its cherry blossoms attract many visitors in spring, it will be still considerably less congested that the parks located in the center of the city, allowing visitors to contemplate the flowers at leisure.
The special feature of this park is that its pond is shaped like Tokyo's Arakawa Ward. Spreading over a wide area, the park includes playgrounds, a tennis court, and a baseball field.
Weather permitting, you'll be able to take beautiful pictures of the cherry blossoms against the blue sky of the morning hours.
10:02-10:23 -- Traveling from Arakawa Nichome to Oji-ekimae
Take the Tokyo Sakura Tram heading to Waseda at 10:02, in order to reach our next recommended cherry blossom spot: Asukayama Park in Oji, Kita Ward.
A ride on the Tokyo Sakura Tram will allow you to catch a glimpse of the everyday lives of Tokyo's citizens. You'll be riding the tram together with children commuting to school and granmas heading to the market. It will be a precious experience that will remain ingrained in your memory of Tokyo.
10:30-11:40 -- A Legendary Cherry Blossom Spot! Asukayama Park
Picture courtesy of Kita City Hall
After getting off the tram at Oji-ekimae Stop, walk for a few meters along the tram line, then turn to the left and go through the passage under the railroad. As soon as you exit the passage, you will be at the foot of Asukayama, one of the most celebrated cherry blossom spots in Tokyo.
In fact, this hill has been featured in Edo period (1603-1867) woodblock prints as a famous place for viewing the sakura.
To reach the top of the hill, take the Askargo, a vehicle that offers a great view of the avenue. Riding it is free of charge and after a pleasant 2-minute ride, you'll find yourself on top of Asukayama.
There are about 600 cherry trees in Asukayama Park, of which 400 are of the Somei Yoshino type, the most popular sakura blossoms. They usually go in bloom around the end of March - beginning of April. Visitors from all around Tokyo come to see the cherry blossoms here at this time of the year, resulting in a very festive atmosphere.
Asukayama Park includes a playground that has an old streetcar and a train locomotive on display. The streetcar is a Toden 6080 car, which was created in 1950 and operated on the Arakawa Line until 1979. You can actually get on it and feel the nostalgic atmosphere of the olden days.
The cherry blossoms have become a symbol of Asukayama Park and even the vending machines are decorated with sakura motifs. It's actually fun to visit at any time of the year!
11:50 - 12:15 -- HOKUTOPIA Observatory Lobby
If you look in the direction of Oji Station from Asukayama Park, you'll notice a high-rise building beyond the station. This is HOKUTOPIA, a building that houses performance halls, meeting halls, dining places, and offices.
The 17th floor of HOKUTOPIA is an observatory lobby offering a great view over Tokyo, especially the Kita Ward and its surroundings. Access to the observatory lobby is public and free of charge.
Picture courtesy of Kita City Hall
Asukayama Park is also visible from HOKUTOPIA's observatory lobby. During the cherry blossom season, the view of the park is fantastic! If you see it, you'll understand the locals' fascination with cherry blossoms.
The observatory extends on three sides of the tower, allowing visitors to see various sides of Tokyo far away into the distance. The lobby also functions as a gallery space, with exhibitions of works by local artists and photographers.
12:15 - 13:20 -- Sankaitei - Lunch Menu Inspired by the Cherry Blossoms
Sankaitei is the restaurant located within HOKUTOPIA's 17th-floor observatory lobby. It offers a wide menu that includes typical Japanese dishes such as sushi, sashimi, soba noodles, and tempura, as well as Japanese food with a Western twist such as pizza, beef steak, and hamburger.
What makes this dining place particularly attractive is the great view it offers. If you choose a seat by the window, you get to dine while looking on the northern side of Tokyo City.
For an authentic Japanese dining experience, we recommend the Sankai Gozen (1,900 yen with tax), which contains several traditional dishes (sashimi, tempura, fried fish, pickles, miso soup) made with fresh ingredients. Dessert is included; it varies by season.
During the cherry blossom season, Sankaitei offers a spring-limited Ohanami Gozen (2,500 yen). This gorgeous menu consists of several Japanese dishes made with seasonal ingredients and is decorated in a way that reminds one of cherry blossoms. If you visit in the spring, we warmly recommend it!
13:40 - 14:06 -- Travel from Oji-ekimae to Omokagebashi Bridge
Picture courtesy of Toei Transportation
To reach our next destination, return to the tram stop where you got off, Oji-ekimae, and take the 13:40 tram in the Waseda direction. After about 26 minutes, you'll reach another area that is famous for its cherry blossoms. To enjoy it to the fullest, please get off at Omokagebashi Stop.
14:10 - 15:30 -- View the Cherry Blossoms along the Kanda River
Picture courtesy of Toei Transportation
Omokagebashi Bridge lies over Kanda River, one of Tokyo's iconic rivers, stretching for about 24 km from Inokashira Park in western Tokyo to Sumida River in the east of the city. The river span between Omokagebashi Bridge and Edogawa Bridge has cherry trees on both sides. When the cherry blossoms bloom, this area offers a feast for the eyes!
Walk for a few minutes along the river and you'll reach Komatsuka Bridge. There is a park entrance on the left side of the river near this bridge. Feel free to explore the area for more beautiful cherry blossoms spots.
15:30 - 17:00 -- Afternoon Tea at HOTEL CHINZANSO TOKYO Le Jardin
Picture courtesy of HOTEL CHINZANSO TOKYO Le Jardin
Cherry blossom season in Japan means more than hunting for the most beautiful flowers to photograph. It also involves enjoying the flavors of the season in dishes inspired by the delicate pink blossoms.
Le Jardin, the lobby lounge of the well-established HOTEL CHINZANSO TOKYO, is located a few minutes walk from the Komatsuka Bridge. The cafe is well-known for its elegant atmosphere, complemented by its beautiful garden, as well as for its exquisite tea and sweets menus that change every season.
Picture courtesy of HOTEL CHINZANSO TOKYO Le Jardin
In spring, Le Jardin offers a season limited Sakura Afternoon Tea menu (3,800 yen with tax), which includes several types of sweets (cake, dumplings, savories, scones) that reflect the colors and tastes of the cherry blossom season. You can choose from 20 varieties of black tea and refills are free of charge. (*1)
In 2019, the Sakura Afternoon tea menu will be available from February 15 until April 7.
This refined afternoon tea menu, along with the elegant atmosphere of the lounge, will allow you to feel the spirit of the cherry blossom season in Japan, a season full of color, symbolizing hope and revival.
17:00 - 18:30 -- Nighttime Cherry Blossom Viewing around the Edogawabashi Bridge
By the time you finish your teatime, it will be already dark outside, which means that the cherry blossoms along the Kanda River will be lit up. We recommend returning to the Komatsuka Bridge and taking a walk along the river in the direction of the Edogawa Bridge.
Nighttime cherry blossom viewing is another seasonal experience that everyone is looking forward to. The sakura light up along Kanda River is one of the most beautiful in Tokyo, attracting thousands of visitors with its dreamlike atmosphere.
Relish the Beauty of Cherry Blossoms along the Tokyo Sakura Tram Line!
We hope you enjoy your cherry blossom viewing along the Tokyo Sakura Tram Line, which offers some of the most beautiful sakura spots in Tokyo.
To return, you can ride the tram line back in the Minowabashi direction or, to head to Shinjuku, you can take the Toei bus 早77.
Please check this page to see other convenient discount passes that are available for travel within Tokyo. Enjoy your explorations of the city!
Route Summary
Minowabashi → Arakawa Nichome → Arakawa Nature Park → Oji-ekimae → Asukayama Park → HOKUTOPIA 17th-floor observation lobby → Lunch at Sankaitei → Oji-ekimae → Omokagebashi → Afternoon Tea at HOTEL CHINZANSO TOKYO Le Jardin → Edogawabashi Bridge Nighttime Sakura
Expenses
Transportation: 400 yen
Lunch, afternoon tea, snacks: less than 6,500 yen
For more information on convenient discount tickets you can use on Tokyo subway and buses, check this website: https://www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/
Supported by Toei Transportation
Web content editor and travel writer at MATCHA.
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