When the harsh colorless leafless winter is over, Japan suddenly flourishes in soft pinks and whites when the cherry trees come into bloom to announce the coming of Spring. There are many great cherry blossom viewing spots to share the moment with friends and family with banquets happening here and there especially at night times. However, these places are usually crowded and many do not have enough space and time to quietly enjoy the beauty of nature. Here are 7 best spots that are lesser known but have a great alley of cherry trees that once it's in full bloom, it is as spectacular as the major ones that visitors tend to go to.
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01
Shakujii River (Tokyo)
The Shakujii River, which straddles the Itabashi, Kita and Nerima wards of Tokyo, is a famous spot with over 1,000 Somei Yoshino (Yoshino Cherry) lining the river from upstream to downstream. Along the river, there is a promenade with a number of beautiful cherry blossom viewing spots on both sides.
If you walk along the river from the Itabashi side toward Oji Station, you will reach Asukayama Park, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot since the Edo period. Although there are some interruptions along the way, these cherry trees stretch for about 20 kilometers, so you can enjoy at a leisurely pace without the crowds concentrating.
Access
Shakujii River is within walking distance from Shin-Itabashi Station on Toei Mita Line or Naka Itabashi Station on Tobu Tojo Line.
Best Viewing Time
End of March to early April![]()
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02
Nakano-dori Street (Tokyo)
Nakano-dori Street, located in Nakano-ku, Tokyo, is lined with about 300 Somei Yoshino (Yoshino Cherry) trees for about 2km from the north exit of Nakano Station, past the side of Arai Yakushi Baisho Temple to Shin-Ome Kaido Avenue. This is a great street to walk-through beneath the cherry blossom and see its beauty.
The best place to view the cherries here is to go north as the trees are densely planted there. Also, known to those in the know, the cherry blossoms in the precincts of Arai Yakushi Baisho Temple located near the Arai five-way intersection which is about 1km from the north exit of Nakano Station, are also recommended.
Access
From Nakano Station on Chuo Main Line to Arai five-way intersection is about 13 minutes walk.
Best Viewing Time
End of March to early April
(More less every 1st week of April, Nakano Dori Cherry Festival is held on this street)![]()
![Arai Yakushi Baisho Temple]()
Arai Yakushi Baisho Temple
LUANA ARAI
中野区新井1-36-7 コスモス中野 Tokyo
- Arai Yakushi Baisho-in Temple
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- Tokyo Nakano-ku Arai 5-3-5
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- [Pilgrimage Hours] 9:00-17:0…
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LUANA ARAI
中野区新井1-36-7 コスモス中野 Tokyo
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03
Kottagawa River (Tokyo)
More than 500 Somei Yoshino (Yoshino Cherry) bloom over a distance of about 3 km on both sides of the Kottagawa River that runs along the Tama New Town Road in Tama City, Tokyo. When in full bloom, the view of the rows of cherry trees stretching far into the distance is a breathtaking view to witness. Along the river at Nagakubo Park, the Tama Center Cherry Blossom Festival is held usually on the first sunday in April. (Dates vary by years)
Access
Walking distance from Tama Center Station on Keio Sagamihara Line, the Odakyu Tama Line, and the Tama Toshi Monorail Line.
Best Viewing Time
End of March to early April![]()
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04
Kyu-Nakagawa Riverbed (Tokyo)
The riverbed along the Kyu-Nakagawa River (Old Nakagawa River) in Hirai, Edogawa Ward, Tokyo, is one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in the ward. Compared to the Somei Yoshino (Yoshino Cherry), the Kawazu-zakura Cherry here blooms a little earlier. There are less than 30 Kawazu-zakura Cherry in the area, but it is a great instagrammable spot to see the Tokyo Sky Tree in the back of the cherries when in full bloom.
Access
10 to 15 minutes walk from either Kameido Suijin Station on Tobu Kameido Line or Hirai Station on Chuo Sobu Line.
Best Viewing Time
Mid February to early March![]()
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05
Oyoko River (Tokyo)
The Oyoko River that runs along the east side of Kiba Park in Koto-ku, Tokyo, has about 105 Kawazu-zakura cherry trees. The best spot to see the cherry trees are at Kiba Park. Compared to other places, this is a lesser known area with fewer crowds.
Access
3 minute walk from Kiba Station on Tokyo Metro Tozai Line
Best Viewing Time
Mid February to early March![]()
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- Kiba Park
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- Tokyo Koto-ku Kiba 45 , Hirano 4
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- 0352451770
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06
Nikaryo Yosui Canal (Kanagawa)
Located in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, the Nikaryou Yosui Canal is the oldest man-made waterway in the prefecture, with a total length of about 32 kilometers (including the Shukugawara tributary). It was built in the Edo period (1603-1867) and is a place with a long history, and is loved by many people as a waterfront walkway.
Among them, the Shukugawara Tsutsumi Cherry Trees in Shukugawara, Tama Ward is a popular Somei Yoshino (Yoshino Cherry) viewing area with about 340 cherry trees.
Access
8 minutes walk from Noborito Station on Odakyu Line or 12 minutes walk from Shukugawara Station on Nambu Line.
Best Viewing Time
End of March to early April![]()
- Nikaryouyousuishukugawarashusuikou
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- Kanagawa Pref. Kawasakishi Tama-ku Shukugawara 1-chome 4
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07
Satte Gongendo Park (Saitama)
In the prefectural Gongendo Park in Satte City, Saitama Prefecture, there is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot called "Satte Gongendo Sakura Tsutsumi". The collaboration of the 1km-long tunnel of 1,000 Somei Yoshino (Yoshino Cherry) trees and the vivid yellow mustard field is breathtakingly beautiful.
Access
Take the Asahi Bus bound for Goka machi yakuba from Satte Station on Tobu Nikko Line. Get off at the bus stop named “Gongendo”. It's a minute walk from the bus stop.
Best Viewing Time
End of March to early April![]()
- Satte Gongendo Tsutsumi (Gongendo Prefectural Park)
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- Saitama Pref. Satteshi Uchigouma 887-3
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- 0480440873
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- Free to explore
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