Tokyo: Just Opened

A warm welcome to the official start of the 2025 cherry blossom reports! After an unofficial start with a special early report from Kawazu, over the next few weeks we will be following the state of the blossoms across Japan, giving you insight into their state at famous hanami spots.

Today, I visited two spots in Tokyo: Ueno Park and Shinjuku Gyoen. In the midst of some sudden warm weather, the buds seem to be well on their way towards blooming. The opening of the blossoms in Tokyo was officially announced yesterday, and due to above-average temperatures in the upcoming weather forecast, we expect best viewing in Tokyo to start around March 30.

Ueno Park has readied itself for the upcoming cherry blossom excitement with its crowd control signs, large trash cans, and other preparations. While from afar, the trees look somewhat bare, upon closer inspection a few trees had their first flowers, and most trees were showing some pink at the end of their buds. I expect the best viewing to start in about 5 days, on March 30.

There were also one or two early-blooming varieties that had full pink blossoms, particularly towards the south side of the park. Food stalls and other festival events have begun, and will continue until April 6 (daily until 21:00). Illuminations will also be held in the upper part of the park until April 6 (daily until 21:00) and until April 13 around Shinobazu Pond (daily until 22:00).

While the Somei Yoshino tree variety is the most common, Shinjuku Gyoen is famous for also featuring large numbers of other varieties, many of which flower several days or even weeks earlier (and some later) than the Somei Yoshino. This means that on my visit today, although the Somei Yoshino trees are still not in bloom, there were many pockets of pink blossoms throughout the park. The Tourist Information Center at the Shinjuku Gate entrance has useful maps detailing the different varieties, their timings and their whereabouts.

However, the Somei Yoshino mostly did not yet have any open flowers, so I expect them not to reach best viewing until a couple of days after Ueno Park. Note that this year reservations are required to enter the park during cherry blossom season on Saturdays and Sundays from March 22 to April 6 between 10:00 and 16:00.