Springtime in Tokyo is a really magical place. Visitors to the main city of Japan will enjoy spectacular blossom displays and intriguing cultural activities.

Spring in Tokyo

Flower seeing in The japanese is so well-known that it has its own term, hanami . Although Spring in The japanese officially starts in 03, you can admire plum flowers from as early as February many years.

Actually plum blossom viewing has been more popular in ancient The japanese than cherry blossom seeing is nowadays.

Cherry Blossom compared to Plum Blossom

So what is the difference in between plum blossoms and cherry blossoms? Plum trees possess an aromatic fragrance compared to the lighting scent of cherry trees and shrubs.

They have darkish coloured bark while cherry trees have a light start barking with horizontal lines. Cherry blossom petals have a divided at the end, unlike plum padding.

Here are some recommendations for where to see the most beautiful Springtime blossom in Tokyo.

8. Setagaya Plum Flower Festival

If you’re lucky to be going to Tokyo between 9 Feb and 3 March 12 months, don’t miss the Plum Blossom Festival in Setagaya, or Setagaya Ume Matsuri in Japanese. Held within Hanegi Park, it’s liberated to enter.

You will find over 650 plum trees and shrubs in full bloom – 270 pink trees and 380 white blossom trees.

Visitors can enjoy stalls marketing plum themed food, green tea ceremonies and haiku lessons. Some plum delicacies can be found throughout the year, such as umeshu plum wine and umeboshi pickled plums while others such as jellies are more seasonal.

The festival is a good summary of traditional culture within Tokyo .

Address: Hanegi Park, 38-52 Daita, Setagaya, Tokyo

seven. Shinjuku Gyoen National Backyard

Probably the most beautiful public parks within Tokyo, Shinjuku Gyoen Nationwide Garden dates from the Edo period. Spread over 144 acres, it contains a Western garden and ponds, a good English landscape garden plus formal French garden.

There’s also a Taiwan pavilion, a wooded region known as Mother and Kid Forest or Haha to Ko simply no Mori . The garden has its own spectacular plum trees, that you can photograph with the NTT Docomo Yoyogi Building, the fourth highest tower in Tokyo within the background.

From end of 03 onwards, there are over truck cherry trees in blossom. May and June are good months to visit, to be able to see the azalea flowers.

It costs two hundred yen to enter the recreation area, which is open from nine am to 4. thirty pm (last entrance with 4 pm) and shut on Mondays. There are also 2 Japanese tea houses where one can enjoy a warming matcha herbal tea.

Address: Shinjuku Gyoen Nationwide Garden, 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

six. Hanazono Inari Shrine

This Shinto shrine in Ueno Recreation area is known for its beautiful plum and cherry blossom. It really is dedicated to Inari the Japanese the almighty of fertility and a location where people go to choose to happy relationships.  

There are red torii gates next to the shrine that are among the most photographed places in Tokyo.

If you have some free time, check out the many museums inside Ueno Park, including Tokyo National Museum. You could also have a picnic while admiring the particular plum or sakura flower.

Known as a hanami party, it’s a popular Western hobby in Spring. Make sure check whether it is allowed within the park that you are planning to go to.

Picnics are usually permitted in Ueno Recreation area and you can buy special hanami bento boxes in the form of blossoms at nearby shops. At night, lanterns are lighted so that people can carry upon enjoying the flowers.

Tackle: Hanazono Inari Shrine, 4-59 Uenokoen, Taitō, Tokyo

five. Hinamatsuri – Girls’ Toy Festival

Celebrating the good health and joy of girls, Hinamatsuri happens throughout Japan on a few March each year. From middle of the February onwards, families screen a hina-dan, an ceremony with rows of ohinasama dolls dressed in miniature kimonos.

These typically warded off bad luck. 2 figurines at the top of the screen represent the Emperor plus Empress of the Imperial Courtroom in the Heian era.

During Spring within Tokyo, families serve gemstone shaped rice cakes known as hishi-mochi, as well as pastel coloured hina arare rice veggies. If you’re in Tokyo among 1 Feb to 31 March , you can see a magnificent Girls Toy Festival display at Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku.

They are web hosting an exhibition “Hina-matsuri via Tea Ceremony Culture plus Hanging Art”. There are Mataro dolls from Kamigamo Shrine, together with 6, 800 ornamental figurines crafted from antique kimonos.

Duvet artist Mitsuyo Matsuo as well as the members of her Himawari Group made each product by hand and they all possess specific meanings. For example , you will find cranes and turtles in order to symbolize longevity.

The main exhibit in the resort lobby is 3. three or more meters high. There are also plenty of historical items from Western tea ceremonies on display.

During the months associated with Februray and March, these dining at nine from the restaurants in Keio Plaza Hotel can enjoy special menus items to celebrate hina-matsuri.

Deal with: Keio Plaza Hotel, two Chome-2-１ Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo

4. Chiyoda Sakura Celebration

An additional beautiful place to admire the particular cherry blossom in Tokyo is at Chidorigafuchi Park. Internet dating from the Edo era, Chidorigafuchi moat was once portion of the Imperial Palace.

There is a 700 meter lengthy cherry tree tunnel plus a boating lake which remains open late, however picnics are not allowed. Sakura period begins in late March or even early April depending on the heat.

From 26 March in order to 8 April , Chiyoda Sakura Festival is occurring. Visitors can view close to 260 sakura or Japan cherry trees.

The trees are lighted in the evenings as it is a popular pastime to see cherry trees then. In fact japan word yozakura means cherry tree viewing at night.

Deal with: two Chome-2-１１番地先 Kudanminami, Tokyo

a few. Nezu Shrine Azalea Celebration

This particular historic shrine is a great spot to see cherry blossom. Additionally, it plays host to the Bunkyo Azalea Festival from early April in order to early May each year.

There exists a small entrance fee towards the festival, where you can see a large number of white, pink and crimson azalea bushes.

Address: Nezu Shrine, 1 Chome-28-９ Nezu, Bunkyō, Tokyo

second . Kameido Tenjin Wisteria Event

Happening between fourteen April and 6 Might , this wisteria event is held at Kameido Tenjin Shrine. This Shinto shrine has been a popular spot to admire wisteria since the Edo period.

Entry to the festival is free of charge and there are food stalls as well as ikebana flower organizing, tea ceremonies and taiko drumming.

Tackle: Kameido Tenjin Shrine, 3 Chome-6-1 Kameido, Koto, Tokyo

1 . Aoyama Flower Market Teahouse

One of the most Instagrammable places in Tokyo , Aoyama Flower Market Teahouse is a must see at any time of year.

This florist shop and tea house is particularly appropriate to see during Springtime as it is adorned with fresh Spring blooms. There are actually 3 branches of Aoyama Flower Market Teahouse, including Kichijoji and Akasaka, pictured here.

They serve up a variety of sweet treats such as flower French toast, fresh herbal teas and rose jelly. We love the food at their Hq branch at Minami-Aoyama and the decor is stunning.

The glass tables have plants growing underneath them! You may have to queue at the week-end so it’s best to visit during the week if possible.

Address: Aoyama Flower Market Tea House, 5-1-2 Minami Aoyama Minato-ku, Tokyo

Spring Food in Tokyo

There are numerous tasty foods to try in Tokyo in Spring. Below are a few that you shouldn’t miss:

• Mikan are sweet, seedless citrus fruits. They are generally eaten while  sitting at a traditional low table with heating underneath, known as a kotatsu .
• Plum flavored treats including umeboshi pickled plums, plum syrups and  umeshu plum wine.
• Sakura flavored food and drinks have become popular. Try a cherry chuhai cocktail, a sakura planche or tea or sakura mochi sweets during your hanami party. Cherries themselves are that you can buy from June onwards. Normally Japanese cherry is sato-nishiki.

• Sansai are foraged mountain each and roots.
• Shirasu are young sardines being caught from mid Parade, sashay onwards.
• Spring cabbage or haru-kyabetsu is a fabric cabbage with sweet simply that are often wrapped used meat or vegetables.
• Strawberries or ichigo of Japanese taste wonderful all over Spring. You can take a day trips from Tokyo to go and furthermore pick them.
• Takenoko are bamboo shots that will be generally steamed with almond.
• Pink asparagus is extremely prized, thanks to the Japanese concentrate on food seasonality.

Weather as part of Tokyo in Spring

The weather for Tokyo varies from highs behind 13 degrees in Drive to 18. 5 degrees across April. It can get freezing cold in the evening but there is on the whole only light rain, which makes it legendary|succeeding in the|letting it|making it possible for|allowing it|enabling|allowing|making it very|allowing for} an ideal time of year to visit Tokyo.

Things to expect Wear in Tokyo when it comes to Spring

We suggest bringing your Winter coat if you visit Tokyo in March, together with a new hat and scarf. By using April and May, you can get away from with a light scarf and as well jacket.

What about experience traditional Tokyo customs absolutely adore kimono wearing during your wintertime. You can rent one in Asakusa near Senso-ji temple in addition to in Yanaka, a toned down neighbourhood with many beautiful wats.

Have you ever went along to Japan or Tokyo through the Spring? Discover more fun events in Japan on the basic Go Tokyo website .

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