Tokyo: Full Bloom

Today, I visited Tokyo to check on the state of the cherry blossoms, two weeks since the season started in Tokyo. I found the cherry blossoms were still at their best viewing on this sunny day. However, rain and relatively strong winds are forecast for tomorrow, which are likely to reduce the longevity of the blossoms. Accordingly, the best viewing is expected to continue until tomorrow.

Matt was in Kyoto yesterday and reported that the petals had started to fall. With the mainstream cherry trees in western Japan through to the prefectures around Tokyo starting to lose their blossoms and show their leaves, we will be starting to move our focus to the ones at higher elevations and in the northeastern Japan over the next few weeks.

For those interested in the cherry blossom situation in cities apart from Tokyo, the estimated best viewing information for other major cities can be found on our cherry blossom forecast page. Follow along here to keep up with the latest updates as we bring almost daily on-site sakura reports from various cities.

I started my day in Ueno Park, where I found the cherry blossoms to be at full bloom. Rain and relatively strong winds are forecast for tomorrow, and that is likely to reduce the longevity of the blossoms. I expect the best viewing to continue through till tomorrow.

There is a sakura festival at Ueno Park until April 5, and food and drink stalls can be found in the park's main plaza.

I made my way west to Shinjuku Gyoen. The popular garden was a sakura wonderland with the mainstream Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms still at full bloom. Like at Ueno Park, I expect the best viewing at Shinjuku Gyoen to continue through till tomorrow as the forecast rain and winds may take down the blossoms prematurely.

For those planning to visit Shinjuku Gyoen this weekend, note that reservations are required for those visiting between between 10:00 and 16:00. Reservations are not required outside of those times.