Cherry blossoms along the water in Tokyo

Tokyo's rivers

The two main rivers of Tokyo make for great viewing points if you want to admire the cherry blossoms along the water's edge. Lined with sakura over several tens of meters, each with their own unique charms.

• The Meguro River

Crossing the southwest of the capital before flowing into Tokyo Bay, the Meguro River is a breath of fresh air in the neighborhood to which it gave its name. Strewn with cherry trees, it is very popular with Tokyoites when the hanami season approaches. For 30 years it has even had its own festival: the Sakura Matsuri!

On this occasion, the banks of the river turn pink for 10 days. A color that the neighborhood knows how to highlight brilliantly, since the cherry trees are lit every evening as soon as the sun goes down, to the delight of festival-goers.

See also : The symbolism of cherry blossoms

• Address: 1-22-4 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
• Access : in front of Nakameguro station (Hibiya, Tokyu-Toyoko lines)

And for good reason, for only 780 yen ($7 USD), it allows you to admire the cherry trees while passing by many tourist spots like Hama-Rikyu garden, the Rainbow Bridge, or the Tokyo Skytree!

• Address: 1-1-1 Hanakawado, Daitou-ku, Tokyo
• Access: a few minutes walk from Asakusa station (Ginza, Asakusa, Tobu Skytree lines)

The moats of the Imperial Palace and Chidorigafuchi Alley

Located north-west of the imperial palace, Chidorigafuchi, in the Chiyoda district, is a 700-meter long avenue running along the palace's moats. Lined with its 260 cherry trees, it's an unmissable place for all those who would like to see blossoms by the water! And especially in the evening when the area is lit up, which enhances the soft color of the flowers even more.

See also: The Imperial Palace

• Address: 1−2 Chiyoda, Kojimachi, 102-0082 Tokyo
• Hours: open 24 hours a day
• Price: free
• Access : 3 minutes walk from Kudanshita station (Tozai, Hozomon lines)

Japanese gardens

Japanese gardens are renowned for their unique aesthetics. Supposed to represent the world, they are then endowed with shrubs, hills, and of course ponds where cherry blossoms (if there are any) scatter their petals.

• Inokashira (at Musashino)

Located between the Mitaka and Kichijoji districts, Inokashira Park is a pretty green space of almost 38 hectares which includes a tennis court, a Shinto shrine and a rather special lake.

Warning: It's said that the lake is cursed by the goddess Benzaiten! And that anyone who rides pedalo on it as a couple will break up later that year...

• Rikugi-en (Bunkyo-ku)

Rikugi-en garden is one of the oldest traditional gardens in the capital. It's a very photogenic place, with a pretty pond surrounded by cherry trees which turns pink when the hanami season arrives. Photo lovers, don't hesitate to climb to the top of the garden for a bird's eye view of the pond!

• Address: 6-16-3 Hon-komagome, Bunkyo-ku, 113-0021 Tokyo
• Hours: 9:00 - 17:00
• Rates: 300 yen ($2.73 US)
• Access: a few minutes walk from Komagome station (Yamanote, Namboku lines)

• Hama-rikyu (Chuo district)

Family garden of the Tokugawa clan (1603-1868), Hama-rikyu garden is one of the most popular gardens in Tokyo. With its 25 hectares and its giant body of water, it's not surprising that it attracts crowds. Especially in spring, when its cherry trees are in bloom.

• Address: 1-1 Hama-rikyu teien Chuo-ku 104-0046 Tokyo
• Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
• Rates: 300 yen ($2.73 US)
• Access: 5 minutes on foot from the Nakano-gomon exit of the Shiodome station (Oedo, Yurikamome lines)

See also : Tokyo Stamp Rallies

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