I would like to introduce the beautiful Cherry blossoms viewing spots in Tokyo as following famous area for your reference.
(1) Chidorigafuchi park
(2) Yasukuni shrine
(3) Tokyo Midtown
(4) Tokyo Nihonbashi Edo Sakura Dori street
(5) Bank of Japan Head office:
(6) Nogizaka park
(7) Ueno Onshi park
(8) Sumida Park
(9) Yoyogi park
(1) Chidorigafuchi park:
The name Chidorigafuchi come from the shape of the moat, which looks like a plover bird (Japanese: Chidori) with its wings spread into the sky. This moat is the biggest one at Imperial Palace. This is one of the most famous cherry blossoms viewing spot where about the cherry blossoms of 170 trees can be found from late March to early April. The 700 meter long pedestrian walkways will be covered with various kinds of the cherry blossoms, such as the pale pink “Somei-yoshino blossoms” and the rich pink “Yama-Zakura blossoms”. Visitors can look down and see the cherry blossoms reflected on the surface of the moat.
(2) Yasukuni shrine:
Yasukuni shrine was established to commemorate and honor the achievement of the people who dedicated their precious lives for their country. The name “Yasukuni” given by Emperor Meiji represents wishes for preserving peace of nation.
Currently, more than 2,466,000 divinities are enshrined at Yasukuni Shrine. There are souls of men who made ultimate sacrifice for their nation to join the various wars since the war occurred in 1853 related with Meiji restoration to World War 2. These people, regardless of their rank or social standing, are considered to be completely equal and worshipped as venerable divinities of Yasukuni shrine.
During spring season, about 500 numbers of cherry blossoms become in full bloom.
In the precinct, the Sakura specimen tree registered by the weather station in Tokyo can be found.
(3) Tokyo Midtown:
Tokyo Midtown opened in 2007 as integrated complex consisting of several buildings and green leisure space.
This area used to be the residence of the Mori clan of Chofu domain in Edo period. Then, this area was used as an army post in Meiji era (1868-1924), after that, as lodging quarters after the World War 2 and by the Japan Defense Agency in the Showa area(1924 – 1989). Tokyo Midtown tower building is one of the Tokyo’s tallest buildings (248meter tall) and various cultural and commercial facilities have been gathered including art museum, a hotel, shopping mall and restaurants. There are also some large buildings with office spaces and Midtown residence such as the Midtown East and the Midtown West as well as the Park Residences at the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo. Galleria (4 floors, 1 basement) is the main elegant shopping, dinning and entertainment zone in Tokyo Midtown. The 4-story atrium at 150 meters long and 25 meters tall has a huge plaza with an expansive glass ceiling.
There is also a huge range of restaurants, cafes and bars. Visitors can enjoy a meal in the garden terrace with a view of the parkland. The garden area of Tokyo Midtown is colored with flowers of the four seasons which soothes the eyes and hearts of visitors, specially, on Sakura street in front of garden terrace in spring, about 100 numbers of cherry blossoms bloomed are lined up which creates a tunnel of cherry blossoms.
(4) Tokyo Nihonbashi Edo Sakura Dori street:
Tokyo Nihonbash Edo Sakura Dori is the street whwre the stone historic buildings such as the headquarter of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking coorporation are lined up. This street also is located on the adjacent to the south face of Nippon Bank building.
About 80 number of “Somei-Yoshino” Cherry blossoms are planted on the both sides of the street and bloomed with crimson color from late March to early April every year.
(5) Bank of Japan Head office:
The first international building in Japan which was designed by Japanese architect.
Tatsuno Kingo designed and built in 1896 with spending two years design and 6years a half of construction after he inspected various central banks in Europe for a year. This building is designed after National bank of Belgium as Baroque style. The first floor is constructed by stones and the second & 3rd floors are constructed by bricks to achieve weight reduction. The outer walls are pasted by stones to have people felt that all this building is constructed by stones.
The pair of columns in front of the building are designed based on Baroque architectural style.
(6) Nogizaka park:
Nogizaka park and Nogi Shrine located on Nogizaka are one of the famous Cherry blossoms viewing spots.
There are some stunning large weeping cherry trees near the first torii gate of Nogi Shrine whose gorgeous pink color is overwhelmingly beautiful. There are also cherry blossoms found on the small park near the shrine which is the cherry blossoms viewing spots and make people felt better.
(7) Ueno Onshi park:
Ueno area has been the famous place for cherry blossoms from Edo period (1603 – 1867).
It is said that in Edo era, the cherry blossoms were transplanted from Mt. Yoshino of Nara prefecture by Priest Tenkai who had supported Ieyasu Tokugawa as gthe founder of Edo Shogunate. About 800 numbers of Cherry-blossoms centered on Park Sakura Street decorate the garden.
(8) Sumida Park:
The Cherry blossoms on Sumida Park is one of the best spots for a cherry blossom viewing picnic which is selected as one of the top 100 cherry blossom spots in Japan. There have been planted about 310 trees on the Sumida Ward side and about 600 trees on Taito Ward side of the opposite shore with over 1km where you can enjoy the collaboration with Tokyo Sky-tree.
(9) Yoyogi park:
After Tokyo Olympic finished in 1964, the plan to reform this area as “The only forest park in Tokyo”had raised up.
The plan had started from 1966 and a tree‐planting campaign was executed spending 5 years to plant broad‐leaved trees and seasonable tress such as Cherry blossoms, Ginkgo, Japanese cypress and so-on. At last, Yoyogi park was finished to create as one of the largest parks in Tokyo. The best sightseeing highlight of Yoyogi Park is Cherry-blossoms which are planted as about 700 numbers of trees and one of the best Famous place for cherry blossoms.
If you become interested in visiting these Tokyo Cherry blossoms viewing spots, please contact me. I can support you and I recommend Cherry blossoms viewing tour in Tokyo.
By Kashima
