How crowded is Tokyo during cherry blossom season?
Japan is so hot right now. It seems almost every traveller and influencer wants to head to Japan and experience the magic that it has to offer. So finding crowd free sakura spots in Tokyo is not the easiest feat when everyone else is also trying to do the exact same thing! However, after living in Japan for seven years I found some great spots that haven’t been taken over by influencers yet (for the popular instagrammable spots, read this).
What you will find here: crowd free sakura SPOTS in Tokyo
Sure, there are a whole bunch of obscure parks like or walking areas like Kanagawa river that have cherry blossoms, but those places are difficult to get to and I personally don’t find them awe-inspiring locations. The sakura spots in Tokyo I have picked are all places that you will easily be able to reach while on your holiday as they are inner city areas that have lots of other sightseeing options beyond sakura. This means you’ll be able to get your tourist fix while enjoying the cherry blossoms.
Where to see cherry blossoms in tokyo without crowds
Hibiya Park, Minato
Hibiya Park might not be the first place you think of when you think of Tokyo during cherry blossom season. But that is exactly why it is a great spot to visit if you want to see sakura without the crowds. Hibiya Park is super close to Tokyo Station, Ginza, and Imperial Palace. So if you’re already heading to those areas during your trip to Tokyo, Hibiya Park is the perfect spot to stop and view cherry blossoms.
Hibiya Park is a little gem of nature in the inner city, so instead of tourists you’ll find salarymen enjoying their lunch breaks in the park. It is a pretty decently sized park, with two areas that have a range of sakura trees (neither are very appropriate for sitting down on a picnic mat but you could make it work).
Shiba Park, Minato
Shiba Park is one of my favourite places to enjoy cherry blossoms. Not only will you be able to take photos of sakura, you’ll be able to get beautiful views of cherry blossoms and Tokyo Tower together! Shiba Park is one of the more popular sakura spots in Tokyo for locals but it is a relatively quiet, upmarket area. There are many different parts of Shiba Park that all feature cherry blossoms so you’ll easily be able to find somewhere to put down a picnic mat.
Shinjuku Chuo Koen, Shinjuku
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is one of the most popular parks to visit during cherry blossom season. You’ll find that most tourists head there to see the beautiful sakura. However, there is a park on the other side of Shinjuku called Shinjuku Chuo Koen that is far more low key while still exhibiting gorgeous sakura. There is even a Starbucks! It is only a short walk from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building which is an excellent spot for views of the city, so you could easily visit both. There is also a children’s playground at the far end and a gorgeous temple with a weeping cherry blossom tree at the back of the park.
Showa Kinen Koen, Tachikawa
Showa Kinen Koen is one of the most popular destinations during Spring and Autumn. So why is it on the list? Although Showa Kinen Koen in Tachikawa might be one of the most popular places to visit during cherry blossom season in Tokyo, I have included it for two reasons.
The first reason is because it is not overrun with tourists. It is a popular spot for Tokyoites to travel to during the weekend and enjoy the multitude of cherry blossom trees. The second is because the grounds are expansive. And I mean it is massive. You will easily find a quiet spot to enjoy the sakura in this park. Considering it is only a short train ride from Shinjuku, why not visit?
VERDICT
Is It Worth Going to Japan in Cherry Blossom Season?
I see a lot of people complaining about the hordes of tourists visiting Japan during sakura season, so it makes sense that one might question if it is still worth visiting. I have experienced eight cherry blossom seasons and what I can tell you is that yes, it is incredibly busy during this period. However, it is the best time to visit Tokyo, Japan as the country is awash in pastel pink. There are plenty of places you can experience sakura without having to go off the beaten path but still avoid the crowds that come at Spring.
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