Tokyo: Still Closed

Welcome to the 2024 cherry blossom reports! Over the coming weeks we will accompany the annual spectacle as it traverses the Japanese archipelago, reporting the state of the blossoms at famous and lesser known hanami spots across the country.

Today, I visited Tokyo, where the blossoms are forecast to open in the next few days; however, from judging the state of the buds at the various cherry blossoms spots today, my impression was that another week is needed for the blossoms to start opening. Consequently, I expect the peak of the season in Tokyo to take place in early April this year.

The cherry buds were still far from pink on our morning visit to Ueno Park, suggesting that the beginning of the flowering season still lies at least a week in the future. I do not expect the peak of the season to start here until early April.

Nevertheless, the infrastructure for the cherry blossom viewing season has already been set up with large garbage bins and traffic control signs. Illuminations in the park have already started and will continue through April 7 (daily until 20:00), while illuminations around Shinobazu Pond will continue through April 14 (daily until 22:00).

Koishikawa Korakuen Park is one of Tokyo's prettiest traditional gardens. Its main attraction during the cherry blossom season are some beautiful weeping cherry trees around its west entrance (note that that there is now also an east entrance). The weeping cherries open typically a few days ahead of the more numerous Somei Yoshino trees, and indeed, the garden's central weeping cherry tree has just opened its first couple of blossoms. It should reach the peak of its seasonal beauty before the end of March.

Chidorigafuchi, part of the moat system surrounding the former Edo Castle (now: Tokyo Imperial Palace), was also still completely barren with no signs of any advanced buds. I do not expect the season to reach its peak here before early April. Illuminations are scheduled to be held along the pleasant pedestrian path from March 22 to April 2 from 18:00 to 22:00.

Yasukuni Shrine is home to the representative cherry tree of Tokyo. When 5-6 open blossoms are spotted on this tree, the opening of the cherry blossoms is officially declared for the entire city. I was looking hard for some advanced buds today, but could not spot a single one. Because the temperatures are forecast to be relatively cool over the next few days, I do not expect the first 5-6 blossoms to open before the weekend.