1
Kuusemibashi Bridge area

Cherry blossoms at eye level

The "Utsusemi Bridge" is named after Emperor Meiji who used to see a pine tree with cicada shells attached to it. Two slopes on either side of this bridge are lined with Someiyoshino cherry trees. The cherry trees are planted at the foot of the bridge, so the cherry trees are just at eye level and in full bloom. Toshima Ward is the birthplace of someiyoshino cherry trees. Why not take a walk while feeling the history of the area?

Blooming season: Usually from late March to early April.
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Usually early April.
Someiyoshino cherry trees, yaezakura cherry trees, weeping cherry trees, etc.

Kusemibashi Bridge

• Kitaotsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo MAP
• Approx. 4 min. walk from Otsuka Station on the JR Yamanote Line

2
Minami-Otsuka 3-chome Sakura Namiki Dori

One of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Toshima Ward

This is one of the most famous rows of cherry trees in Toshima Ward. Known for its beauty, this spot has been carefully protected and loved by the local people for more than 30 years. Cherry trees are planted on both sides of the tree-lined avenue, which stretches 600 meters from east to west, and when the trees are in full bloom, visitors can enjoy a tunnel of cherry blossoms. Near the exit of the cherry tree-lined avenue are the tracks of the Toden Arakawa Line, so visitors can see the Toden running at the end of the tunnel of cherry blossoms.

Blooming season: Usually from late March to early April.
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Usually early April.
Someiyoshino cherry trees, yaezakura cherry trees, weeping cherry trees, etc.

Minami-otsuka 3-chome cherry tree-lined street

• Minami-otsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo MAP
• 5 min. walk from Otsuka Station on the JR Yamanote Line

3
Asukayama Park

One of the first parks in Japan designated as a cherry blossom viewing spot

Asukayama Park is the No. 1 popular spot in Kita Ward. Its history dates back to about 300 years ago when the 8th shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, turned Asukayama into a cherry blossom viewing spot to provide a recreational area for Edo children. In 1873, the park was designated as Japan's first park along with Ueno, Shiba, Asakusa, and Fukagawa, and is still popular among local residents.
There are approximately 600 cherry trees planted in the park, including someiyoshino, kanhizakura, and satozakura, 400 of which are someiyoshino, which originated in Toshima Ward.

Blooming season: Usually from late March to early April.
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Usually early April.
Someiyoshino cherry trees, yaezakura cherry trees, weeping cherry trees, etc.

Asukayama Park

• 1-1-3 Oji, Kita-ku, Tokyo MAP
• Short walk from Asukayama and Oji Ekimae stations on the Toden Arakawa Line
• Open all day (some areas are closed)
• No holidays
• Free of charge
• 03-3908-9275
• Free of charge

4
Houmeiji Temple

You can enjoy viewing cherry blossoms in a quiet atmosphere that you would not expect in the heart of the city

Houmei-ji Temple, which was founded in 810 as "Ikoji Temple," has been known as a cherry blossom viewing spot since the Edo period (1603-1868). The rows of cherry trees that line both sides of the approach to the temple continue to attract many visitors. Despite being in the heart of the city, the temple is surrounded by a quiet atmosphere, making it a perfect spot to enjoy cherry blossom viewing in a relaxed atmosphere.
Passing through the approach to the temple, the temple gate can be seen in front of the temple, and within the precincts are the temple bell and the Asagao mound. Further in, at the end of a red torii gate, is the Ikoinari-do shrine. By viewing the temple along with the cherry blossoms, visitors can feel the long history of Houmeiji Temple.

Blooming season: Usually from late March to early April.
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Usually early April.
Someiyoshino cherry trees, yaezakura cherry trees, weeping cherry trees, etc.

Houmeiji Temple

• 3-18-18 Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo MAP
• Approx. 15 min. walk from JR Ikebukuro Station
• 9:00-17:00 (precincts only, main hall not open to visitors)
• No holidays
• Free of charge
• 03-3971-4383
• None

5
Menkei-bashi bridge

The rows of cherry trees along the Kanda River are breathtaking

This bridge spans the Kanda River just outside the Mengeibashi stop on the Toden Arakawa Line. From this bridge, cherry trees line both banks of the Kanda River, forming a magnificent arch in spring. Its beauty attracts many people and soothes the hearts of visitors.
The Kanda River flows calmly, the cherry trees are in full bloom on both sides of the river, and Tokyo's only streetcar, the Toden Arakawa Line, runs leisurely alongside the river in a retro style. The combination of these scenery is one of the most beautiful springtime scenes in Tokyo.

Flowering season: Usually from late March to early April.
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Usually early April.
Type of cherry tree: Someiyoshino (Somei Yoshino)

Menei Bridge

• 3 Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo MAP
• 1 min. walk from Menkyo-bashi Station on the Toden Arakawa Line

6
Takado Bridge

A popular spot where you can take pictures of the streetcar and cherry blossoms at the same time

Like Mengei-bashi Bridge, Takado-bashi Bridge is a cherry blossom viewing spot not far from Kanda River. Every year when the cherry blossoms bloom, the bridge is crowded with many people. Another reason for its popularity is that it is a photo spot where you can take pictures of the streetcar and cherry blossoms at the same time. Some photographers even go there frequently to capture the unique spring scenery on their cameras.
The cherry blossoms at Takado Bridge can also be seen from the windows of the streetcars, and tourists can be seen viewing the cherry blossoms from the streetcars. How about enjoying the unique atmosphere of a toden train ride in Tokyo?

Flowering season: Usually from late March to early April.
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Usually early April.
Type of cherry tree: Someiyoshino (Somei Yoshino)

Takado Bridge

• 3 Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 2 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, and 3 Takada, Toshima-ku, Tokyo MAP
• Short walk from Gakushuinshita Station on the Toden Arakawa Line

7
Rikugien

The weeping cherry blossoms that look like a waterfall are breathtaking.

Rikugien Garden, together with Koishikawa Korakuen Garden in Bunkyo Ward, is one of the two major gardens in Edo (Tokyo), and was designated as a special place of scenic beauty by the government in 1953. It is one of the representative gardens of the feudal lords of Edo, and its "Kaiyushiki Tsukuyama Sensui Teien" (garden with a circular path around a mountain and fountain) is a magnet for visitors.
The most famous cherry blossom in Rikugien is the weeping cherry tree, which stands 15 meters high and 20 meters wide. The cascading blossoms are a sight to behold. During the "Special Night Viewing" held every year from late March to early April, the weeping cherry blossoms are illuminated and visitors can admire the graceful beauty of the cherry blossoms. Viewing cherry blossoms in the atmospheric Japanese garden is a unique way to enjoy Rikugien.

Blooming season: Usually from late March to early April.
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Usually early April.
Someiyoshino cherry trees, yaezakura cherry trees, weeping cherry trees, etc.

▼Spring Night at Rikugien Special Night Viewing
Date: March 22 (Sat) - 28 (Fri), 2025
18:30 - 21:00 (last admission at 20:00)
*The park will close at 17:00 and reopen at 18:30 for special nighttime viewing.
Please purchase a special nighttime viewing ticket before entering.
Advance tickets: 900 yen / Same-day tickets: 1,100 yen
Remarks: https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/special/rikugien_lighting_spring/index.html

Rikugien

• 6-16-3 Hon-Komagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo MAP
• Approximately 7 minutes walk from Komagome Station (South Exit) on JR Yamanote Line
• 9:00-17:00 (admission until 16:30)
• Year-end and New Year's holidays (December 29 - January 1 of the following year)
• General admission: 300 yen, 65 years old and over: 150 yen
  (Free admission for elementary school students and younger, and junior high school students residing or attending school in Tokyo)
• 03-3941-2222 (Rikugien Service Center)
• None
• Please check the official website for information on opening hours and how to enter the park.

8
Sugamo Sakura Namiki Street

A photo spot where you can see the Yamanote Line and rows of cherry trees at the same time

Sugamo Sakura Namiki Dori (Cherry Blossom-lined Avenue) leads for about 300 meters from Sugamo Station to Edobashi Bridge. Crossing Hakusan-dori Street, you will see the Somei-Yoshino monument and continue on to see the rows of cherry trees along the Yamanote Line. The most spectacular of all is the rows of cherry trees in full bloom between Miyashita Bridge and Edobashi Bridge. From these two bridges, you can see both the Yamanote Line and the rows of cherry trees at the same time, making them one of the most famous photo spots in the ward.
You can also view the cherry blossoms from Edobashi Park on the other side of the railroad tracks. The entire area is surrounded by cherry blossoms, making it a perfect spot to relax and spend time.

Blooming season: Usually from late March to early April.
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Usually early April.
Someiyoshino cherry trees, yaezakura cherry trees, weeping cherry trees, etc.

Sugamo Cherry Tree-lined Street

• From Sugamo to Kitaotsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo MAP
• A short walk from Sugamo Station on the JR Yamanote Line
• 03-3981-1316 (Toshima Ward Office, Culture and Commerce Department, Culture and Tourism Division, Tourism Exchange Group)
• None