In 2026, the cherry blossom in Tokyo is forecast to bloom from the end of March to the beginning of April. Based on bloom dates from recent years, full bloom is likely to occur between March 28 and April 3.
The cherry blossom season in Japan is the best time to visit. It offers stunning scenery and comfortable weather. I traveled to Japan in early April 2025 for the cherry blossoms. I'll share my firsthand experience and travel insights below to help you plan your trip.
When Can I See Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo 2026?
Many travel articles may tell you it is hard to catch the full blooms. Actually, it's not that difficult. Don't worry! As long as you travel to Tokyo or Japan in early April, you will have the chance to see the full blossoms.
There are many varieties that bloom at slightly different times. When we visited on April 3, most trees in Shinjuku Gyoen Garden were in full bloom. However, some were still in buds, and the earliest ones, which bloomed in mid-March, had already faded.
Full blossoms in Shinjuku Gyoen Garden, April 3, 2025Even in different parks, Cherry blossoms may bloom 1 or 2 days apart. In 2025, the full bloom occurred the period from March 28 to March 4. On April 3, when we visited, we saw the full blooms in Shinjuku Gyoen and Ueno Park. At Chidorigafuchi and Yoyogi Park, some trees had faded, but still, many trees were in full bloom.
Cherry blossoms in Yoyogi Park, some trees were in full bloomEven if you travel in mid-April or around April 20, you can still see cherry blossoms in Mt Fuji. When we visited there in early April, most trees were in buds.
On April 5, the cherry blossoms near Mt. Fuji were still in tight buds and not yet visible.See a summer table below for Tokyo's cherry blossom season:
| Travel Time | Cherry Blossoms |
| Mid-March | Early blooms at Shinjuku Gyoen Garden |
| End of March to early April | Full blooms in Tokyo's major parks |
| April 10- April 20 | Mt Fuji |
Top 5 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo
Remember, you can't see cherry blossoms everywhere in Tokyo; you need to visit specific parks. Each park offers a distinct vibe and atmosphere, with unique surroundings, blossom density, and visitors. Below are my suggestions for the best cherry blossom viewing parks. Visiting one or two is enough, as the scenery is similar.
1. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- Features: a large, peaceful natural garden with many varieties of Cherry blossom trees
- Number of cherry trees: 1000+
- Best viewing time: Early April
This large park features expansive lawns and well-maintained plants. There are over 1000+ cherry blossoms of many different varieties. So it can enjoy a longer blooming period from March to mid-April. When I visited on April 3, 2025, most trees were in full bloom, mostly white. But there are still many in buds with some unique weeping cherry blossoms. I guess they may bloom around April 10.
Several large cherry blossom trees stretch their branches over the road, creating a cherry blossom tunnel. Very romantic to walk through! Another impressive tree has branches that hang down, with flowers reaching the ground. The cherry blossoms along the water, combined with the bridge and Japanese pines, create picturesque scenery.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Cherry blossomsWe arrived at the park around 8:20 a.m. It was very quiet and almost empty. We enjoyed the beautiful flowers all to ourselves. Although it rained, we enjoyed a great time taking some great photos. About 30 minutes later, more visitors arrived, and we had to wait for photo spots. However, the park is spacious, so it never felt crowded, making it a lovely place to stroll.
At 8:20 am, the park was quiet with only a few travelersThis park provides a tranquil atmosphere, a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. You could take a picnic mat and some food to enjoy on the vast grassy lawn within the park,
Travel Tips
- Arrive earlier, before 9 am best to avoid the crowds.
- The park closes at night, so there are no evening views of cherry blossoms.
- Alcohol is not permitted during your picnic in the park
- You will need to pay a small fee to enter the park
2. Ueno Park
Ueno Park, Cherry blossoms with lanterns- Features: Tokyo's most popular and bustling park for cherry blossoms
- Number of cherry trees: 1,000+
- Bloom time: early April
Ueno Park offers a vibrant festival atmosphere in Tokyo, with plenty of activities beyond cherry blossom viewing. You can explore Ueno Zoo, the Tokyo National Museum, and Ueno Toshogu Shrine.
The park is bustling with cherry blossoms, evening lanterns, food stalls, and locals enjoying picnics and performances. Cherry blossom season is a very important occasion in spring for local people. They will celebrate this short and beautiful time with family and friends under the cherry blossoms. They call it Hanam. In the park, on clear days, you would see lots of Japanese people gathering to have picnics.
Travelers and cherry blossoms in Ueno Park on April 3, 2025There are also performances on clear days. But when we visited, it rained, so we did not see them. The food stalls in the park sell a great variety of local food and snacks.
This park also offers splendid nighttime views from 6 pm or 7 pm to 10 pm.
Tips:
- Visit the parks before 10 a.m. to avoid the crowds. We arrived around noon, and it was very crowded ( see the photo above)
- Avoid visiting on weekends as it is extremely crowded with locals.
- The cherry blossoms is lit from 6/7 pm to 10 pm in the evening
3. Chidorigafuchi - Row a Boat to See Cherry Blossoms
- Location: in the Chiyoda district of Tokyo, near the Imperial Palace
- Number of cherry trees: 200+
- Best viewing time: Early April
Compared with Shinjuku Gyoen Garden, Chidorigafuchi is a bit crowded. This is mainly because it's a narrow bank along a moat. When we arrived, it was packed with streams of travelers. The cherry blossoms were dense, and some were in full bloom, but due to the narrow path and large crowds, it wasn't as enjoyable as Shinjuku Garden.
Chidorigafuchi cherry blossomsA unique experience here is rowing a boat along the 200-meter (660-foot) moat to see the blossoms. Paddling yourself is quite interesting. However, on the day we visited, the boat rental was closed due to the rain.
Travel tips:
- Boat rentals may close unexpectedly due to wind or rain, so check availability before you visit.
- Arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds; otherwise, you might wait about half an hour to rent a boat.
- In the evening, enjoy the enchanting illuminated trees from around 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
4. Yoyogi Park
The empty Yoyogi Park early in the morningYoyogi Park, located just a short walk from Shibuya, Harajuku, and Meiji Shrine, offers a refreshing break from these bustling areas.
It is an off-the-beaten-path attraction with very few travelers. It is mainly used by locals to relax on weekends. It is may crowded on weekends, but on weekdays, it is almost empty. It might be busy on weekends, but it's almost empty on weekdays. The park has a cherry blossom garden with over 700 trees spread across a large lawn. When we visited on April 3, only a few trees were in full bloom, and most flowers had faded.
If you want to enjoy the flowers away from the crowds, this is a great spot. However, aside from a relaxing stroll, there isn't much else to do.
5. Meguro River Cherry Blossoms
- Features: the most spectacular place to view cherry blossoms at night
- Number of cherry trees: 800+
Meguro River Cherry Blossoms is a famous Instagram place. The night views are stunning. In the evening, the surroundings are illuminated by pink lanterns, creating a magical glow over the cherry blossoms cascading into the river.
This is a 4-km (2½-mile) relaxing walk alongside the Meguro River, which is lined with cherry trees. You could walk along the path for about an hour or so. There are several bridges to cross and a lot of good shops and eateries lining the river.
Travel tips:
- Avoid the crowds by staying away from the immediate area around Nakameguro Station.
- The pink-lantern-illuminated path extends from Ikejiri-Ōhashi Station to Meguro Station. The illuminated time is from 5pm to 8pm.
Continue to read more details on Meguro River Cherry Blossom Festival
4. Sumida River Cruise
Sumida River, Cherry blossomsSumida River cruise is worthwhile, but not mainly for the cherry blossoms. I recommend it here because it offers a relaxing break after some busy time exploring parks. During the cruise, you will see Tokyo's modern skyline, Odaiba, and the Rainbow Bridge. There are in fact many impressive cherry blossoms along the riverbank, but as it is too far, you won't get a good view from the boat.
The cruise ends at Odaiba. There, you can explore a beautiful seaside park and take photos of the Statue of Liberty. You can also visit DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, which features a giant Gundam statue and various Gundam products.
The Gundam statue in Odaiba，Tokyo5. Mt Fuji
- Location: 1.5 hours' drive from Tokyo
- Best viewing time: Mid-April
Mt. Fuji is known for its late cherry blossom season, lasting until April 20. If you visit Tokyo in mid-April, you'll find the blossoms have already passed. However, around Mt. Fuji, they are in full bloom.
The best places to see the cherry blossoms around Mt Fuji include Lake Kawaguchi, Arakurayama Sengen Park and Oshino Hakkai. At Lake Kawaguchiko, you can see the cherry blossoms and Mt Fuji's reflections in the lake. At Arakurayama Sengen Park, you can enjoy the iconic scenery of Mt Fuji and the red pagoda within one photo frame. While in Oshino Hakkai, you could enjoy the latest cherry blossoms up to April 20.
Mt Fuji is about a 2-hour ride from Tokyo, so it is very easy to take a day trip from Tokyo. Read more details on when and where to see Cherry Blossoms in Mt Fuji.
Where to Stay in Tokyo during Cherry Blossom Season
Tokyo can get very busy during the cherry blossom season, so choosing to stay in places easy to get around will save you a lot of time on the road. See below the best places to stay in Tokyo:
Shinjuku
The Yamanote Line, a major line in Tokyo, runs through this bustling area and connects easily to most attractions. Nearby, you'll find prime cherry blossom spots like Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Meiji-Jingu Shrine, and Yoyogi Park..
Shinjuku offers many great hotels, but the price is a bit high. A very small room at a standard hotel may cost up to 300 USD.
Note: Avoid the areas west of Shinjuku Station close to Kabukicho. The area is a bit chaotic.
Ueno
Ueno is known for its hotels at a reasonable price. Ueno Park, famous for cherry blossom viewing, is also here.
Asakusa
Asakua is known for its budget hotels and traditional Japanese ryokans. There are many Japanese ryokans in the area. Senso-ji Temple. Sumida Park Sumida River, and Tokyo Skytree are all in this area.
Tokyo Station Area
Although it does not offer direct cherry blossom viewing spots within the area, Tokyo Station serves as a major transportation hub, making it easy to access popular cherry blossom viewing locations in Tokyo and beyond.
Shibuya
Close to Yoyogi-Koen Park and Meiji-Jingu Shrine, Shibuya offers a diverse array of hotel options to cater to different needs.
Is Tokyo Really That Crowded This Season?
Before my trip, I saw many discussions on forums about how crowded it can be. In reality, it's not that bad. It's true there are many travelers at airports and attractions, but everything is well-organized. You might have to wait in line for customs or photo spots. However, it's usually under 30 minutes. The staff helps keep things moving smoothly. There are also plenty of toilets, so no worries there.
Most attractions are quiet before 9 a.m,., even though they become crowded later in the day, especially between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m
Shinjuku Gyoen Garden was empty at 8: 30 amThe real crowds happen on weekends when locals travel, causing traffic jams and busy attractions. During my visit, my driver mentioned heavy traffic on the way to Mount Fuji on Sunday. Every road was packed. That's why I always suggest that my customers avoid the weekends while traveling to places outside cities.
Another place where you might face a long wait is the cable car, like the Panoramic Ropeway at Lake Kawaguchi.
Tips to Avoid the Crowds
- Travel to areas outside the cities on weekdays.
- Visit attractions early in the morning, before 10 a.m.
- Make reservations in advance for attractions and restaurants, as most can be booked ahead in Japan.
- If you travel with us, our travel advisor and guides will make better plans for you to avoid the crowds possible.
What is the Weather Like and What to Pack?
A coat is needed if it rains, as temperatures will drop to below 10 ℃ ( 50 ℉).The weather is generally comfortable, with cool mornings and evenings and warm days. A thick jacket is recommended for early and late hours, while a lighter jacket is ok during the day. If it rains, the weather may drop greatly, you may need a coat for it.
The weather is changeable with sudden light showers. Most of the time, the rain comes in the afternoon, lasts only a few hours, and then you will have another sunny day.
During our visit to Tokyo in early April, we had 2 rainy days. It felt a bit cold, and my down jacket was just right. On the third day, it was sunny until an afternoon shower, followed by a sunny morning the next day
Pack layers, but don't worry about bringing too many clothes, as it very easy and cheap for you to buy them in Tokyo.
Let Us Help You Plan a Cherry Blossom Trip to Japan
A journey to Japan during the Cherry Blossom season is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you missed the 2025 season, 2026 is definitely the ideal time to visit. Contact us to arrange a memorable Cherry Blossom trip to Japan. Or you can check our most popular Cherry Blossom trips:
- 7-Day Japan Cherry Blossom Tour 2026: Essential Mini-Group Tour
- Private 10-Day Japan Highlights and Cherry Blossom Tour
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