Cherry Blossoms 2009: Tokyo Report (3/31)

Cherry Blossom Report 2009
by japan-guide.com

This is the official japan-guide.com cherry blossom report for 2009. Please visit also our guide to cherry blossoms for more general information and forecasts.

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2009/03/31 - Tokyo Report

by scott

Shinjuku Gyoen
March 31, 2009 - opening (10-50%)

This is a follow up report to our Tokyo Cherry Blossom Report - March 26, 2009.

Shinjuku Gyoen is a large public park a short distance from Shinjuku Station. The park has about 1300 cherry trees planted around its gardens and lawns.

Many people enjoy the cherry blossoms in the park either while strolling through or by having cherry blossom viewing parties (hanami) under the cherry trees. Unlike other public parks, however, alcoholic beverages cannot be brought into Shinjuku Gyoen.

They cherry trees around the central lawns of the park have been slow to open due to recent cool weather. The blossoms are still in their opening stages and will not reach full bloom for at least another few days.

Ueno Park
March 31, 2009 - approaching full bloom (50-80%)

This is a follow up report to our Tokyo Cherry Blossom Report - March 26, 2009.

Ueno Park was again quite crowded today with hundreds of people enjoying the cherry blossoms either while walking through or by having cherry blossom viewing parties (hanami) under the park's nearly 1300 cherry trees.

Tokyo's recent cool weather has delayed the opening of the cherry blossoms around Ueno. As a result, they are just now starting to approach full bloom and will reach it sometime in the next few days.

Meguro River
March 31, 2009 - opening (10-50%)

There are about 800 cherry trees planted along the Meguro River in the Meguro District of Tokyo. The cherry trees are in bloom in the area around Nakameguro Station.

The cherry trees around Meguro River are planted along the sides of this canal-like section of river. They can be enjoyed while walking through streets along the river which have many small shops and restaurants; however, cherry blossom viewing parties are not possible as the trees are right next to the street.

The cherry blossoms around Meguro River are opening at a slow pace and will probably not reach full bloom for another few days.

Asukayama Park
March 31, 2009 - opening (10-50%)

Asukayama Park is a city park located on a hill overlooking Oji Station in the Kita District of Tokyo. There are about 650 cherry trees planted throughout the park and along the walking paths in the area.

Asukayama Park is a great place to have a cherry blossom viewing party (hanami), and it is popular with families with small children as there is a large play area with structures and decommissioned trains to play around.

The trees in Asukayama Park are only opening very slowly and might not reach full bloom until early next week.