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Chidorigafuchi
A moat beside the Imperial Palace lined with cherry trees, lit at night in late March and early April as part of the Sakura Festival in Chiyoda. Rowboats run from the Chidorigafuchi pier; in 2026 they operated from 9:00 to 19:30, and advance "smart tickets" let visitors skip the queue.
Meguro River
Trees arch over a narrow canal in Nakameguro. During the Nakameguro Cherry Blossom Festival the trees are lit with lanterns from 17:00 to 20:00 for about 15 days after the blossoms open. Expect heavy crowds on weekend evenings.
Shinjuku Gyoen
A national garden with about 900 cherry trees of about 70 varieties, so something is usually in flower from February to late April. The garden has used an advance reservation system during the cherry blossom season, and alcohol is not allowed. Details are on the Shinjuku Gyoen page.
Shinjuku Gyoen cherry blossom stroll, entry included
★ 4.9 · 55 reviews on GetYourGuide
A guide walks you to the best viewpoints, and the garden ticket is arranged for you, so you skip the garden's own booking during the busy season.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Reserve now, pay later
- Garden admission ticket included
Ueno Park and Sumida Park
Ueno Park is the classic picnic crowd scene. Sumida Park lines the river near Asakusa and the trees are lit after sunset. Both are free to enter.
See several in one day
This tour covers Ueno Park, Koishikawa Korakuen, Yasukuni Shrine and Chidorigafuchi.
Cherry blossom express tour with a boat ride
★ 4.5 · 29 reviews on GetYourGuide
Four classic spots in one go: Ueno Park, Koishikawa Korakuen, Yasukuni Shrine and the Chidorigafuchi moat, with a 30-minute boat ride when conditions allow.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Reserve now, pay later
- Entrance fees and English guide included
Full-day cherry blossom tour with a local expert
A whole day with a guide who picks the spots for the day's bloom, including parks, gardens and Shibuya Crossing. A new listing, so no reviews yet.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Entrance fees included
- No reviews yet: read the page carefully
Quick answers
Where is the best place to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo?
Popular choices are Chidorigafuchi for boats and night lights, Meguro River for lantern-lit evenings, Shinjuku Gyoen for its many varieties, and Ueno Park for the picnic atmosphere.
Can you rent a boat at Chidorigafuchi during cherry blossom season?
Yes. Rowboats run from the Chidorigafuchi pier. In 2026 they operated from 9:00 to 19:30 and advance smart tickets were sold to reduce queues.
Are the Meguro River cherry blossoms lit up at night?
Yes. During the Nakameguro Cherry Blossom Festival, the trees are lit with lanterns from 17:00 to 20:00 for about 15 days after the blossoms open.
Disclosure. Photos are from Unsplash, which allows free use. This site is independent and not affiliated with any garden, festival or tour operator. Some links on this site are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Ratings and review counts are those shown on GetYourGuide on November 13, 2026. Bloom dates change every year; always confirm forecasts, prices and garden rules on official pages.