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Travel to Japan Blog Articles
The intent of our Travel to Japan
articles is to provide essential travel planning information, practical
advice and tips for saving money while visiting Japan. Also, we have
included strange and unusual tourist attractions that you might be
interested in visiting while in Japan. All a travel articles are
written by native residents of Japan.
TRAVEL TOPIC: B-Movie Style of Attractions in Tokyo
Sakura, Enjoying Cherry Blossoms
in Japan
Sakura, or the event of viewing cherry
blossoms, is a symbol of Japan and been loved by Japanese people for hundred's
of years. Sakura begins blooming around the end of March in Tokyo, and Japan.
This seasonal event tells us that spring has arrived!
In Japan, there's a traditional custom called Hanamki, also
called Ohanami, which is flower viewing in the most literal sense, but more importantly simply means enjoying cherry blossoms. The origin of Hanami goes back to 9th century Kyoto, where nobles started the trend of celebrating the reading poems while looking at cherry blossoms. In the Edo period (16th to 18th Century), Hanami turned into a seasonal event for everyone to go to view the cherry blossoms, generally to enjoy oneself by drinking and eating under the cherry trees.
Hanami is still popular to this day and there remains many famous Sakura spots in Tokyo, as well as all over Japan. You might see people in business suits having Hanami under cherry trees after work in central Tokyo.
If you come to Japan in the Spring, this is a very good opportunity to enjoy Sakura.
When to view Sakura?
The Japan Metrological Agency forecasts when the cherry blossoms start blooming
every year. They forecast in accordance with the climate and the condition based
on a cherry flower called Someiyoshino, the most famous kind and synonymous with
all cherry blossoms in Japan. You can find the forecast from 2009 here:
http://weathernews.com/jp/c/press/2009/090216.html
http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/News/sakura.html (2008)
As for Tokyo, it is forecasted that the bloom will begin around March 20th
Where to view Sakura in Tokyo?
Since Sakura is so popular, you can find them often in the towns of Tokyo, on
streets, at temples, shrines, gardens etc. Needless to say, there are many spots
for enjoying Hanami too.
The list below is of Sakura spots where you can reach by a 10 minute, or so,
walk form a transit station. As accessibility is good, why not drop by when you
go sightseeing, or shopping, in Tokyo.
Famous and Historic Sightseeing Sports
See a ...
Ueno
A famous Sakura spot in Tokyo, having 400-year history and often pictured by
Ukiyoe printing. It has more than 1100 cherry trees around Ueno Park and Shinobazu
Pond. Only 3 min walk from Ueno Park Exit of JR Ueno Station.
google map
Ueno Zoo
Sumida River Park
Imperial Palace (Chidori-gafuchi)
Imperial Palace is one of the most popular Sakura spots in Tokyo. Especially,
the moat called Chidorigafuchi is famous Hanami spots and gets crowded with many
visitors coming from all over Japan.
google map
Sotobori Park
A park along by the Sotobori moat between JR Iidabashi and Ichigaya Station.
It's known for the lane with a row of 700 Cherry blossoms.
google map
Shinjuku-gyoen
A large park having gardens in Japanese and western style. It has 1500 cherry
trees in 75 kinds. It is only 5 min walk from JR Shinjyuku station. Admission
fee is required. (200 Yen)
http://www.env.go.jp/garden/shinjukugyoen/english/index.html
google map
Yoyogi Park
A large park with lawn having more than 800 cherry trees. Yoyogi park is next
to Meijijingu Shrine and is close to Harajuku and Omotesando shopping area.
google map
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Kawakura is known as a small Kyoto near Tokyo and has many old temples. Tsurugaoka
Hachimangu Shrine is the symbol of Kamakura. From JR Kamakura Station to this
Shrine, there is a lovely lane with cherry trees.
google map
Sakura sports that are popular for local people in Tokyo
Yanaka Cemetery
It's been said that people who had Hanami at this cemetery first were students
of Art university nearby. It is now a popular Hanami spots loved by local Yanaka
people. It's only 1 or 2 min walk from JR Nippori Station.
google map
Asukayama
It is a bit off of the central Tokyo, but Asukayama is one of the most famous
Hanami Spots that has been loved by local people since 280 years ago.
google map
Koishikawa Shokubutsuen(Koishikawa Botanical Garden)
The slope called Harima-zaka, starting near Myougadani station of Marunouchi
Subway Line, has 129 cherry trees. You can also enjoy beautiful Sakura at Koishikawa
Shokubutsuen too. Admission fee is required at Koishikawa Shokubutsuen. (330
Yen)
google map
Inogashira Park
A large park located in the off central of Tokyo. It has more than 600 cherry
trees sounding a pond. It is about 10-min walk from JR Kichijoji station. Kichijoji
is a popular residential area having stylish shops. It is about 20 min ride from
Shinjyuku to Kichijoji by JR Sobu line. http://www.inokashirabenzaiten.com/english.htm
Oshima Komatsugawa Park
A park with 1000 cherry trees with10 different varieties. This park was developed
about 10 years ago along the Arakawa river.
google map
Kasai Rinkai Park
A large park located 1 station away from Tokyo Disney Land. This park has attractions
like an aquarium and a Ferris wheel as well as 600 cherry tree's of 6 different
varieties. http://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/english/park/detail_02.html#kasairinkai
Meguro River Side
It has more than 800 cherry tress along the Meguro stream between Meguro and
Nakameguro (next to Ebisu.). There are stylish cafes along the river where you
can enjoy coffee and Hanami.
google map
Tachiai Douro
A 1 km long street with a long arch of cherry blossoms starting near the Nishi-koyama
Station of the Tokyu Meguro Line.
google map
See a ...
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