Cherry Blossom Report: Tokyo
by Scott, staff writer of japan-guide.com
This journal is a log of my travels within Japan. Here you'll find my personal opinions on the places I've been and the things I've seen. Also expect to see the occasional review and editorial. Thanks for reading.
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2009/04/02 - Cherry Blossom Report: Tokyo
Inokashira Park
April 2, 2009 - opening (10-50%)
Inokashira Park is a city park located in western Tokyo near Kichijoji Station. The park is one of Japan's top 100 cherry blossom spots, and has about 500 cherry trees planted around its central pond. These shade large open areas that are popular for holding cherry blossom viewing parties (hanami).
The cherry trees around Inokashira Park are still in their opening stages due to recent cool weather in Tokyo. Continued cool weather and a chance of rain are forecasted for this weekend which may delay the full opening until next week.
Yoyogi Park
April 2, 2009 - opening (10-50%)
Yoyogi Park, is one of Tokyo's largest city parks and is located near Harajuku. There are about 800 cherry trees across the park with most of them around the central lawns and in the Sakura no Sono area of the park.
While the central lawn is lined by cherry trees and is a popular place for picnicking, Sakura no Sono provides the best cherry blossom viewing party (hanami) spots in the park. There you will find picnic tables and lots of hanami spots directly under the cherry blossoms.
Due to recent cool weather, the cherry blossoms around Yoyoji Park are still in their opening stages. Cool weather and a chance of rain is forecasted through the weekend, so the cherry blossoms may not fully open until next week.
Chidorigafuchi
April 2, 2009 - approaching full bloom (50-80%)
This is a follow up report to our Tokyo Cherry Blossom Report - March 29, 2009.
Chidorigafuchi was again quite crowded today especially on the walking path along the moat. Chidorigafuchi's nearly 1000 cherry trees can be viewed while walking through, although it is not possible to have cherry blossom viewing parties here. Instead, the Kitanomaru Park across the water has picnic spots but without views of the trees along the moat.
The trees around Chidorigafuchi are just starting to approach full bloom. Unfortunately, there is cool weather and a chance of rain forecasted over the weekend which may delay full bloom for at least a few more days.
Yasukuni Shrine
April 2, 2009 - opening (10-50%)
Yasukuni Shrine, is just across the street from the grounds of the Imperial Palace. There are nearly 600 cherry trees lining the approach to the shrine as well as around the shrine's main buildings.
The approach to the shrine has lots of space for cherry blossom viewing parties (hanami) and has dozens of food vendors around the area. Most of the area beneath the trees has tables set up for customers of the food stalls. Other open spots under the trees are available for rent.
The cherry trees around Yasukuni Shrine have been delayed by recent cool weather and are still in their opening stages. They may not reach full bloom until sometime next week.
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