Event | Explore
| | |

Hanami Spots in Central Tokyo: Cherry Blossom Season 2024

by

In this article, we will introduce the recommended hanami spots for this year in central Tokyo.
Spring in Japan is cherry blossom season. The custom of appreciating spring blossoms (hanami) has a history of about 1,400 years, and even in modern Japan, every year, cherry blossom viewing season is a special event for most people. There are many hanami spots around the Imperial Palace, where you can stroll along the cherry tree-lined tunnel of Chidorigafuchi Ryokudo, look up at the illuminated nighttime cherry blossoms from a boat, enjoy limited-time hanami menus at hotels, and many other events to enjoy spring in Tokyo to its fullest!

Sakura Festival in Chiyoda (Chiyoda Cherry Blossom Festival) 2024

One of the most famous hanami spots in Japan is Chidori-ga-fuchi, the moat of the Imperial Palace. Every year, the “Sakura Festival in Chiyoda” is held around the “Chidori-ga-fuchi Green Way (Chidori-ga-fuchi Ryokudo)”. This year, from March 22 (Fri.) to April 2 (Tue.), 2024, the cherry blossoms (sakura in Japanese) of Chidori-ga-fuchi will be illuminated at nighttime and the famous boat rental will be open during extended night hours.

“Chidori-ga-fuchi Green Way is a greenway approximately 700 meters (0.4 miles) long. It’s a spot known throughout Japan as one of Tokyo’s finest cherry blossom viewing spots. About 260 cherry trees, sakura in Japanese, including many of the famous Somei-Yoshino cherry trees, are planted along the road, and visitors can enjoy the brilliant blooming cherry blossoms from late March to early April.
During the “Sakura Festival in Chiyoda,” a tourist information center of the Chiyoda City Tourist Association will be set up on the greenway. You can get information on sightseeing in and around Chidori-ga-fuchi, so please stop by!

Original goods will also be available at the goods sales booth at the Sakura Festival site. (Left) This cute character called “Rilakkuma” is the official tourism ambassador! (Right) The “Sword Version” of the bath salts comes with a tiny decoration sword made of Japanese paper cord!

At night, the cherry blossoms along the Chidori-ga-fuchi Green Way are lit up by LEDs, creating a romantic atmosphere different from the daytime. In addition, the “Chidori-ga-fuchi Boat Pier” at the moat will be open for special nighttime operations so visitors can enjoy the nighttime hanami!

When the cherry petals begin to fall, they float on the surface of the moat like a pink carpet. This phenomenon is called “hanaikada (flower rafts)” and is very photogenic.

If you rent a boat at the Chidori-ga-fuchi Boat Pier, you can appreciate the cherry blossoms from a different angle from the Chidori-ga-fuchi Green Way. Boat rentals are very popular during this season, so be sure to check it out!

Cherry Blossom Festival in Chiyoda 2024

https://visit-chiyoda.tokyo/sakura/ (Japanese)
Organizers: Chiyoda City, Chiyoda City Tourism Association
Period: March 22 (Fri.) – April 2 (Tue.), 2024
*Subject to change depending on blooming conditions
Access to Chidori-ga-fuchi Green Way: 5 min walk from Exit 2 of Kudanshita Subway Station Hanzomon Subway Station: 5 min walk from Exit 5

Chidori-ga-fuchi Boat Pier

https://www.city.chiyoda.lg.jp/shisetsu/koen/chidorigafuchi-boat.html
2 Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/9tCTcAyhZ6j41SWo6
9:00 – 20:30 (tickets available until 20:00) During the cherry blossom viewing season (March 12 – April 9), numbered tickets will be distributed from around 9:00 a.m. to avoid congestion. Numbered tickets are distributed until all slots are full.

Lovely cherry blossom spots for a hanami stroll

(1) Sotobori Park – A scenic cherry tree-lined path

Located beside the ruins of the outer moat of Edo Castle Sotobori Park is lined with beautiful cherry blossom trees, most of them being the famous Yoshino type. The total length is about 2 km.
This route is not only gorgeous when the trees are in full bloom, but also when the petals start scattering and floating on the water surface of the moat.

Gobancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Nearest stations: Iidabashi Station, Ichigaya Station, Yotsuya Station
Best viewing time: Late March to early April

(2) Kioichocho Street’s Cherry Blossom Tunnel

The tunnel of cherry blossoms that continues from Benkei Bridge along Shimizu-dani is breathtaking. The voluminous yaezakura (double-flowered cherry trees) are a delight until the end of the cherry blossom season.

2 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Access: Akasaka-mitsuke Station, Nagatacho Station, Kojimachi Station
Best viewing time: Early April to late April

Experience the hotel’s hanami events!

(1) Hanami in the Japanese Garden | Hotel New Otani Tokyo

Hotel New Otani’s Japanese Garden is open to the general public. In the garden, which boasts an area of 10,000 square meters, yamazakura (mountain cherry), shidare-zakura (weeping cherry), someiyoshino (Yoshino cherry), and yae-zakura (double-flowered cherry) trees bloom from early March. A total of 58 cherry trees of 19 varieties are planted on the spacious grounds, and since they bloom at different times, visitors can enjoy viewing cherry blossoms over a long period of time.

The highlight of the Japanese garden is a waterfall as high as 6 meters. It is a popular photo spot.

At night, in celebration of the hotel’s 60th anniversary, “Tokyo ‘Night Cherry Blossom’ Light-up” will be held for the first time, lighting up the whole Japanese garden in cherry blossom colors.

There will also be events and activities for hotel guests, such as a nighttime “lantern walk” and a rikshaw cherry blossom viewing tour. Several cafes and restaurants inside the hotel hold events, too. The sweets buffet and afternoon tea at the GARDEN LOUNGE overlooking the large garden are especially popular and highly recommended!

Hotel New Otani Tokyo

Cherry Blossom Event Special Site
Japanese: https://www.newotani.co.jp/tokyo/sakura/
English Link: https://www.newotani.co.jp/en/tokyo/sakura/
4-1 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/W3j1B7zbeCsJXrWs9
Nearest Stations: Yotsuya Station, Akasaka-mitsuke Station, Nagatacho Station, Kojimachi Station

Cherry Blossom Light-up
Period: March 1 – April 14, 2024 (Sun.)
Hours: Lights up about 30 minutes before sunset – 24:00

(2) Cherry Blossom Viewing in the Sky | KITANO ARMS LOUNGE

A luxurious hanami experience under weeping cherry blossoms at the lovely rooftop bar is available at The Kitano Hotel Tokyo, a hotel in the Nagatacho and Akasaka area. The Kitano Arms Lounge, which is normally open only for dinner, will be opened from 3:00 p.m. tea time offering special limited-time dessert sets and drinks. It’s the perfect spot for a memorable and glamorous Japanese spring experience!

(Left) Tea time only, dessert set with free drink refills, 3,800 yen｜(Right) Glass champagne and hors d’oeuvre set, 4,000 yen
KITANO ARMS LOUNGE

Japanese Link: https://www.kitanohotel.co.jp/tokyo/dining/#d_04
English Link: https://www.kitanohotel.co.jp/tokyo/en/dining/#d_04
THE KITANO HOTEL TOKYO | THE KITANO HOTEL TOKYO 9 F
2-16-15 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Closed on Wednesdays and Sundays
Nearest Stations: Nagatacho Station, Akasaka-mitsuke Station

SAKURA LOUNGE
Dates: March 18 – April 6, 2024
Hours: 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Closed on Wednesdays and Sundays)

Similar Posts