Below is a list of some of Tokyo's most popular spots for cherry blossom viewing (hanami), including the typical timing for best viewing in the average year and japan-guide.com ratings. See also our nationwide list of famous cherry blossom spots.

Central Tokyo

Shinjuku Gyoen Early April  10 minute walk from Shinjuku Station, 200 yen, 9:00 to 16:30 Shinjuku Gyoen features more than one thousand cherry trees of over a dozenvarieties, including numerous early and late blooming trees. There are spacious lawn areas, and the atmosphere is calm and peaceful. Thanks to the early and late blooming trees, Shinjuku Gyoen is a good hanami destination for those who miss the main season by a week or two.

Ueno Park Early April  A few steps from Ueno Station, admission free  Illumination 2013: 3/23 to 4/7, 17:30 to 20:00 One of Japan's most crowded, noisy and popular spots for cherry blossom parties, Ueno Park features more than 1000 trees along the street leading towards the National Museum and around Shinobazu Pond. Ueno Park's blossoms typically open 1-3 days ahead of the blossoms in other spots in the city.

Chidorigafuchi Early April  Kudanshita Station, admission free  Illumination 2013: 3/22 to 4/7, 18:30 to 22:00 Hundreds of cherry trees decorate the moats of former Edo Castle around Kitanomaru Park, creating one of Tokyo's most outstanding cherry blossom sights. Rowing boats are available for rent. Trees are lit up in the evenings. Many food stands can be found at nearby Yasukuni Shrine, where another one thousand cherry trees are planted. Subway & ..Map.. Shinjuku(S01) ---Shinjuku Line---> Kudanshita(S05) ---> Park Shibuya(Z01) ---Hanzomon Line---> Kudanshita(Z06) --->Park Park ---> Hanzomon(S05) ---Hanzomon Line---> Shibuya(Z01)

Sumida Park Early April  A few steps from Asakusa Station, admission free  Illumination 2013: from 3/23, until 21:30 The park stretches for a few hundred meters along both sides of Sumida River with views of the Tokyo Sky Tree. Some food stands are available. Cherry blossom viewing can also be enjoyed from boats that cruise the river. Trees are lit up in the evenings.

Yoyogi Park Early April  Five minute walk from Harajuku Station, admission free Over 600 cherry trees are planted around the spacious Yoyogi Park, offering pleasant picnic opportunities. A few food stands are available. The park gets closed during the night.

Asukayama Park Early April  Short walk from Oji Station, admission free  Illumination 2013: 3/22 to 4/14, 18:00 to 21:00 This hilltop public park above JR Oji Station is one of Tokyo's oldest, famous hanami spots. Today there are several hundred cherry trees, picnic spots under the trees and light up in the evenings.

Meguro River Early April  Nakameguro Station, admission free  Illumination 2013: 3/25 to 4/7, 18:00 to 21:00 About 800 cherry trees line Meguro River for several hundred meters and create an amazing sight. However, as a concrete canal, Meguro River does not offer a very natural surrounding for blossom viewers. During the Nakameguro Sakura Festival, the trees are lit up in the evenings.

Inokashira Park Early April  South of Kichijoji Station, admission free There are a few hundreds of trees in this spacious, public city park, which features a central pond. Boats can be rented in order to view the blossoms from the water.

Koishikawa Korakuen Early April  Ten minute walk from Iidabashi, Suidobashi or Korakuen Station  Admission: 300 yen, Open 9:00 to 17:00 A few dozen cherry trees, including a beautiful, prominently located weeping cherry tree stand around Koishikawa Korakuen, one of Tokyo's most attractive traditional Japanese landscape gardens. Note that the weeping cherry tree typically reaches full bloom a few days before the other trees.

Koishikawa Botanical Garden Early April  10 minute walk from Hakusan or Myogadani Station  Admission: 330 yen, Open 9:00 to 16:30 Koishikawa Botanical Garden is a spacious park with many cherry trees of different varieties and a Japanese landscape garden. Because it requires an admission fee and is a place of study, it remains relatively calm.

Aoyama Cemetery Early April  Five minute walk from Nogizaka Station, admission free The straight road, which leads through the cemetery, is lined and covered by hundreds of cherry trees. However, as a grave yard, Aoyama Cemetery does not provide the ideal surrounding for hanami parties.

Outside Central Tokyo

Showa Kinen Koen Early to mid April  Nishi-Tachikawa Station, 400 yen, 9:30 to 17:00 (until 18:00 on weekends and holidays) Located in the western suburbs of Tokyo, Showa Kinen Koen (Showa Memorial Park) is one of Tokyo's largest public parks. The different areas of the park are spread out across the expansive grounds and are connected by paved trails which are fun to explore by rental bicycle (400 yen/3 hours). Showa Kinen Koen has about 1500 cherry trees, which usually bloom a few days later than those around central Tokyo.

Koganei Park Early to mid April  5-10 minute bus ride or 15-30 minute walk from Hana-Koganei or Musashi-Koganei Stations, admission free Koganei Park is a large public park in the western suburbs of Tokyo. More than a thousand cherry trees are planted around the grounds, most of which are found in the Cherry Garden (Sakura no En) and in front of the interesting Edo-Tokyo Open Air Museum, which is also part of the park. The cherry trees around Koganei Park typically bloom in a few days later than those around the central Tokyo.

Mount Takao Mid to late April  Admission free Mount Takao is a popular hiking destination in the mountains west of central Tokyo. There are a few scattered cherry trees along the main trail and around the summit, but the best spot for cherry blossoms is located an additional 30 minute hike beyond the summit around the Itchodaira area. Also known as the Takaosan Senbonzakura ("Mount Takao Thousand Cherry Trees"), the area offers several varieties of cherry trees which typically bloom a couple of weeks later than the ones in central Tokyo.