Missed the cherry blossoms in Tokyo?

If you arrived in Tokyo a couple of days or weeks too late for the cherry blossoms, don't give up yet. There are ways to enjoy the seasonal spectacle, after all:

Option 1: See late-flowering cherry tree varieties

There are more than a hundred cherry tree varieties in Japan. The large majority of trees bloom usually around late March and early April, but there are a few varieties that bloom several days or weeks earlier and later. While not as popular nor spectacular as the mainstream cherry trees, the later blooming varieties can still provide nice hanami conditions for several weeks beyond the end of the main season:

  • Shinjuku Gyoen
    Two to three week beyond the end of the main season
    10 minute walk from Shinjuku Station, 500 yen, 9:00 to 18:00
    In addition to being one of the best spots to see the mainstream Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms, Shinjuku Gyoen also features a large number of late blooming cherry tree varieties that extend the viewing period in the park by about three weeks beyond the end of the regular season.

Option 2: Make a side trip

Due to its moderate maritime climate and wealth of heat-emitting concrete, central Tokyo is one of the first places in Japan to see the cherry blossoms open every year. But you do not have to travel far to places where the blossoms open several days or weeks after the trees in the center of Tokyo, such as the suburbs further inland or the higher elevations surrounding the capital. Below are a few places where you can see the blossoms in easy side trips:

  • Showa Memorial Park
    A few days behind central Tokyo
    Nishi-Tachikawa Station, 450 yen, 9:30 to 17:00 (until 18:00 on weekends)
    Located half an hour west of central Tokyo by the JR Chuo Line, Showa Memorial Park (Showa Kinen Koen) is one of Tokyo's largest parks. It has about 1500 cherry trees planted around its central lawns, which usually bloom a few days later than those around central Tokyo. The huge park is divided into several, spread-out areas which are connected by paved walking paths and cycling trails.
  • Koganei Park
    A few days behind central Tokyo
    5 minute bus ride or 20-30 minute walk from Musashi-Koganei Stations, free admission
    Koganei Park is another large public park in the western suburbs of Tokyo. More than a thousand cherry trees are planted around its grounds and are typically in bloom a few days later than those around central Tokyo. The cherry trees are mainly found in the western part of the park around the Cherry Garden (Sakura no En) and in front of the interesting Edo-Tokyo Open Air Museum, which is also part of the park.
  • Gunma Prefecture
    A few days behind central Tokyo
    About one hour north of Tokyo by shinkansen or two hours by local trains
    The cherry blossoms in Gunma Prefecture open typically a few days after those around Tokyo, giving visitors who just missed the season in the capital another opportunity to see the flowers at their best. Several cherry blossom spots are located around the city's largest and easily accessible cities of Takasaki and Maebashi. Further into the mountains, the blossoms can be enjoyed another one or two weeks later.
  • Mount Takao (Takaosan)
    About 1-2 weeks behind central Tokyo
    About one hour west of central Tokyo, free admission
    Mount Takao west of central Tokyo has only a modest number of cherry trees along the main trail up the mountain, but a larger concentration of cherry trees can be found in the Itchodaira area an additional 30 minutes hike beyond the summit. Also known as the Takaosan Senbonzakura ("Mount Takao Thousand Cherry Trees"), Itchodaira is home to several different cherry tree varieties which bloom typically a few weeks later than the ones in central Tokyo.
  • Fuji Five Lakes (Fujigoko)
    About two weeks behind central Tokyo
    About two hours by highway bus (more details)
    The Fuji Five Lake region (Fujigoko) at the northern base of Mount Fuji offers the opportunity to see the cherry blossoms in combination with Japan's most iconic volcano. The best views of the blossoms in conjunction with the mountain can be seen from the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko and from the Chureito Pagoda.
  • Matsumoto
    About two weeks behind central Tokyo
    About 2.5 hours by JR limited express trains (more details)
    The city of Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture is most famous for Matsumoto Castle, one of the most celebrated castles in Japan. The castle is also one of the city's best cherry blossom spots, where the blossoms, together with those around Matsumoto's other popular hanami spots, bloom about two weeks after Tokyo.
  • Fukushima
    About two weeks behind central Tokyo
    1.5 hours by JR Tohoku Shinkansen (more details)
    Fukushima Prefecture is home to some outstanding cherry trees and hanami spots, which due to their more northerly location, tend to bloom a few weeks later than the cherry trees in Tokyo. Two of the best Fukushima cherry blossom spots are Hanamiyama Park in Fukushima City and the Miharu Takizakura, an over 1000 year old weeping cherry tree east of Koriyama City. Thanks to the Tohoku Shinkansen, Fukushima is easily accessible especially to holders of the Japan Rail Pass, JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass.

Questions? Ask in our forum.

Hotels around Tokyo

Read our Tokyo Hotel Guide
Top rated in Tokyo
powered by
Budget:
    •
      Mokkoan
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring free WiFi and a hot tub, Mokkoan offers accommodation in Kita Ward, Tokyo. Private parking is available on site. Every room comes with a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Certain units have a seating area where you can relax. For your comfort, you will find slippers and free toiletries. You will find a shared kitchen at the property. The guest house also offers free use of bicycles. Yokohama is 37 km from Mokkoan, while Chiba is 41 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 24 km from Mokkoan.
      View on Booking.com
      9.9Booking.com
    •
      SOLA HOTEL
      Mid-range
      Featuring 3-star accommodation, SOLA HOTEL is located in Tokyo, 300 metres from Kamejimashogakko Memorial Park and 800 metres from Kameido Tenjin Shrine. Among the facilities at this property are a lift and full-day security, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The aparthotel features family rooms. The aparthotel will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a wardrobe, a kettle, a microwave, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. There is also a well-fitted kitchen in some of the units equipped with an oven and toaster. At the aparthotel, every unit has bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the aparthotel include Umeyashiki Monument, Tokyo Skytree and Tobacco & Salt Museum. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 21 km away.
      View on Booking.com
      9.7Booking.com
    •
      cyashitsu ryokan asakusa
      Mid-range
      Situated in Tokyo, 300 metres from Asakusa Fujiasama Shrine and 7.5 km from the centre, cyashitsu ryokan asakusa features air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and an open-air bath. This 3-star ryokan offers a lift and full-day security. The ryokan offers a hot tub and luggage storage space. At the ryokan, the units come with a wardrobe. Each unit has a safety deposit box and some rooms include city views. The units are equipped with heating facilities. At the ryokan, the family-friendly restaurant is open for dinner and specialises in Japanese cuisine. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Popular points of interest near cyashitsu ryokan asakusa include Nitenmon Gate, Edo Taito Traditional Crafts Center and Hozomon Gate. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 24 km from the property.
      View on Booking.com
      9.7Booking.com
    •
      hanare
      Budget-friendly
      Offering quiet street views, hanare is set in the Taito district of Tokyo, 400 metres from Asakura Museum of Sculpture and 400 metres from Kyoouji Temple. The 2-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with a shared bathroom and free WiFi. The accommodation offers luggage storage space and a concierge service for guests. At the guest house, each unit includes a tatami. At the guest house, the units include bed linen and towels. Guests at the guest house can enjoy a continental or an Asian breakfast. There is a coffee shop on-site. Guests at hanare will be able to enjoy activities in and around Tokyo, like walking tours. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include The Site of Koda Rohan House, Tenno-ji Temple Gojuno Tower Remains and Tennoji Temple. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 25 km from the property.
      View on Booking.com
      9.7Booking.com
    •
      No Borders Hostel
      Budget-friendly
      In the Shinagawa Ward district of Tokyo, close to Togoshi-ginza Shopping Street, No Borders Hostel features free bikes and a washing machine. Featuring a shared lounge, the guest house is close to several noted attractions, around 1.5 km from Meguro Fudoson Ryusen-ji Temple, 1.6 km from Yakushi-ji Tokyo Annex Temple and 1.7 km from Ohsaki New City Shopping Mall. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen and luggage storage space for guests. The air-conditioned units have a fully equipped kitchen with dining area, a microwave, kettle, and a fridge. Featuring a shared bathroom with a shower and slippers, units at the guest house also offer free WiFi. The units are equipped with heating facilities. Popular points of interest near the guest house include Anyo-in Temple, Remy Gotanda Shopping Mall and Musashi Koyama Shopping Street Palm. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 12 km away.
      View on Booking.com
      9.7Booking.com
    •
      Ryokan Nakadaya
      Budget-friendly
      Situated in Tokyo, within 1.5 km of Sensoji Temple and 2.2 km of Tokyo Skytree, Ryokan Nakadaya offers accommodation with a shared lounge. The property is set 3.5 km from Edo Tokyo Museum, 6 km from Marunouchi Building and 6 km from Yasukuni Shrine. Free WiFi is available. The units in the inn are equipped with a flat-screen TV. Each room is equipped with a shared bathroom. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 19 km from the property.
      View on Booking.com
      9.7Booking.com
    •
      Tokyo inn Sakura An
      Mid-range
      Set in Tokyo, 200 metres from Tokyo Origami Museum and 600 metres from Komagatado, Tokyo inn Sakura An offers free bikes and air conditioning. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and full-day security, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The ryokan also offers facilities for disabled guests. The ryokan is equipped with a satellite flat-screen TV. The kitchen is fitted with an oven, a microwave and a toaster and there is a private bathroom with slippers and a hair dryer. For added privacy, the accommodation has a private entrance and soundproofing. Popular points of interest near the ryokan include Chiisanagarasunohonno Museum, Asakusa Station and Sumida Riverside Hall. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 22 km away.
      View on Booking.com
      9.7Booking.com
    •
      The Okura Tokyo
      Luxury
      Composed of 2 buildings, The Okura Tokyo boasts a garden and bar. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi. The accommodation features a concierge, ticket service and currency exchange for guests. All rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a fridge, kettle and flat-screen TV with satellite channels. All guest rooms have a private bathroom with a bath, hairdryer, bidet and free toiletries. Located on 28-40 floors, Prestige Tower offers rooms with cityscape views. Guests booking room type with Club Lounge Access in Heritage Wing can enjoy Club Lounge. Spacious rooms in Heritage Wing include complimentary welcome drink, steam sauna and spa bath. Guests at the hotel can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Popular points of interest near The Okura Tokyo include Iino Hall and Conference Centre, National Diet Building and Space FS Shiodome. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International, 22 km from the hotel, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
      View on Booking.com
      9.6Booking.com
    •
      ulu Tokyo
      Luxury
      Situated within 700 metres of Monument of Electric Experiment at Hiraga Gennai and 500 metres of Shibusawa Eiichi Taku Monument, ulu Tokyo features rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Tokyo. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers a concierge service and luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is set 700 metres from Site of Mutsu Munemitsu Residence. At the hotel, rooms are equipped with a balcony. Featuring a private bathroom with a bidet and free toiletries, some rooms at ulu Tokyo also boast a city view. The rooms in the accommodation are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a hairdryer. Popular points of interest near ulu Tokyo include Shinkawa Historic Place Monument, Masago Monument and Bank of Japan Origin Place Monument. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 17 km from the property.
      View on Booking.com
      9.6Booking.com
    •
      Kaminarimon Ryokan
      Luxury
      Ideally set in the centre of Tokyo, Kaminarimon Ryokan offers Asian breakfast and free WiFi throughout the property. Popular points of interest nearby include Hozomon Gate, Nitenmon Gate and Asakusa ROX Shopping Center. The property is non-smoking and is set 300 metres from Asakusa Public Hall. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. The rooms come with a kettle, while selected rooms also feature a terrace and others also feature city views. At Kaminarimon Ryokan, the rooms include a seating area. Languages spoken at the reception include English and Japanese, and guests are invited to request information on the area when needed. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Drum Museum, Komagatado and Asakusa Station. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 22 km from the property.
      View on Booking.com
      9.6Booking.com
    See more on Booking.com

Tokyo Restaurants

Recommended in Tokyo
powered by
    •
      Udatsu Sushi
      Sushi
      Awarded One Star in 2024 - People from around the world visit to experience Mr. Udatsu's sushi. Inside the restaurant, which resembles an art gallery with its modern decor and numerous artworks, guests can enjoy sushi crafted from the highest quality ingredients. While the foundation is traditional nigiri, the menu also features original creations born from the chef's relentless curiosity and innovation.
      View on JapanEatinerary
    • Waketokuyama
      Japanese (Kaiseki)
      Awarded One Star in 2025 - With a meticulous focus on allowing guests to enjoy seasonal ingredients at their peak, the menu changes approximately every two weeks. The signature dish, "Grilled Abalone with Seaweed Aroma," features thick slices of abalone generously coated in a rich liver sauce, offering an exquisite taste of the sea.
      View on JapanEatinerary
    • Fry-ya
      Tonkatsu
      Exquisite fried dishes crafted by a head chef with experience earning stars in both Switzerland and Japan. The remarkably light tonkatsu is a favorite not only among Japanese diners but also among visitors to Japan. With the theme of "small portions, many varieties," guests can enjoy sampling a wide selection of tonkatsu in smaller portions.
      View on JapanEatinerary
    • TEMPURA & WINE SHINO
      Tempura
      The kind of restaurant that is known only to true gourmets, serving as a sort of "Hidden gem". In a chic space with black walls and a ceiling adorned in gold, you can enjoy tempura with a light and elegant texture, delicately fried using refined techniques to achieve a thin, white batter that minimizes the aroma of oil. Savor tempura that maximizes the flavors of the ingredients, paired with Champagne and Burgundy wines carefully selected by the sommelier.
      View on JapanEatinerary
    • Hikarimono
      Sushi
      With a prime location and quality that rivals high-end sushi restaurants, this restaurant maintains the goal of being a place for everyday dining. It offers a casual and relaxed atmosphere, free from stiffness or formality. The signature "Hikari-maki," featuring ingredients such as sardines, pickled plum, and bettarazuke (sweet pickled radish), boasts unique flavors that are especially popular among international visitors.
      View on JapanEatinerary
    • Daikanyama Issai Kassai
      Izakaya
      The owner, Shinji Odahara, boasts a 30-year career in Japanese cuisine and has the remarkable achievement of opening a Japanese restaurant in New York that earned a star. Guests can enjoy exquisite charcoal-grilled meat dishes and rice cooked in a clay pot, all within a modern interior with dim lighting that sparks adult curiosity.
      View on JapanEatinerary
    • Sudachi
      Japanese (Kaiseki)
      You can enjoy dishes that make the most of seasonal ingredients, transcending the traditional boundaries of Japanese cuisine. While rooted in the traditions of Japanese cooking, the menu features unique offerings such as dishes incorporating shark fin—rarely seen in Japanese cuisine—and sushi that reflects the chef's background in sushi restaurants. At the open kitchen counter, where the lively atmosphere comes alive, you can savor the culinary creations with all five senses.
      View on JapanEatinerary
    • Torinao
      Yakitori
      In a relaxed and serene atmosphere, you can enjoy exquisite yakitori made with "Koshu Kenmidori" chicken, grilled to perfection over Kishu Binchotan charcoal for a delightful aroma. The tender and fluffy tsukune (chicken meatball) is particularly popular for its juicy flavor. Additionally, the carefully selected Japanese sake, chosen by the owner, pairs wonderfully with the yakitori.
      View on JapanEatinerary
    • Ichiu
      Sushi
      Chef Hamano is renowned for his experience training at three different two-star restaurants. In addition to sushi, he has honed his skills in Japanese cuisine at the esteemed Akasaka Kikunoi, giving him a strong foundation in traditional Japanese culinary techniques.When it comes to nigiri, he is meticulous not only about the toppings but also the rice. He uses a premium rice variety from Akita, enhanced with two types of red vinegar and plum vinegar to create a refreshing flavor.
      View on JapanEatinerary
    • Yakiniku Onuki
      Yakiniku
      The restaurant is proud of its "Tare Yakiniku" (grilled meat with sauce), which is made from Japanese black beef that has inherited the "excellent sauce" from the main restaurant, and is so tender that it melts in your mouth. The beef tongue is also superb. The thickly cut beef tongue is very difficult to grill, so the waiter grills it and serves it to you. Enjoy a blissful moment with wine that pairs well with the meat.
      View on JapanEatinerary
    See more on JapanEatinerary

Experiences around Tokyo

Top rated in Tokyo
powered by
Page last updated: