Tokyo: Blossoms Opening

After our first report in Tokyo a few days ago, the parks are starting to look quite different as many of the trees are coming into bloom. Today I came to visit Chidorigafuchi Park and Sumida Park, as well as to compare Ueno Park with its position on my previous visit.

After a few very warm days, it seems that many of the blossoms were encouraged to come out, but an upcoming cold snap may slow down that progress. I expect best viewing for these spots to begin around March 30.

When the cherry trees are in full bloom, they decorate the moats of the former Edo Castle to create a stunning scene. On my visit today, while some individual trees were starting to look very pretty, only around half of the flowers were in bloom. The unopened buds here and there and towards the tops of the trees indicate that this spot is yet to reach its most impressive state.

As I visited this spot early in the morning, I suspect today's heat will lead the blossoms to progress quickly through the day. But the colder weather coming up will likely mean best viewing will start around March 30. If you do visit, note that picnics are not allowed by the river, but the trees are lit up in the evenings from today until April 8, between 18:00 and 21:00 daily.

Next, I visited Ueno Park to see how things had progressed since my last report. While just those few days ago there were very few flowers to be seen, today the number of flowers in bloom was approaching half. Best viewing should also be around March 30 or 31. Many of the early blooming varieties are now losing their flowers.

Food stalls and other festival events are in full swing, 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).

Finally, I made my way to Sumida Park, located along the Sumida River by Asakusa. I was surprised to find these trees were the least far along of all the spots I visited today. The number of open flowers was closer to a third rather than half of what was visible, overall creating a somewhat bare feel. I suspect the cherry trees here will be a couple of days behind Ueno for best viewing.

At Sumida Park, there are small sectioned off areas where you are allowed to sit until 9pm, where you can lay down picnic sheets, but any items or picnic blankets left unattended are removed, and barbecues are not permitted.