Tokyo: Cherry Blossom Viewing

Flower-tours have limited appeal to me. However, I have been "enchanted" by the Cherry Blossom since I first set my sight on it in Seoul (Yes, not in Japan, and the Seoul trip was not to view Cherry Blossom).

Thus, I planned a "Cherry Blossom (flower-tour)" during the next Cherry Blossom season in Japan.

Shinjuku Goen Cherry Blossom

TOKYO April 2018
From Airport to Shinjuku
Successfully made my way from the airport, checked into the same previous hotel, had the same good dinner, walked around to soak in the Shinjuku night before calling it a day.
My Tokyo Trip 2017

Cherry Blossom Viewing

There are many recommended and popular Cherry Blossom viewing locations as suggested by various sites and sources. Shinjuku Goen and Ueno Park were our must-sees, while the rest of the were explored in a mostly adhoc manner.

Shinjuku Goen

Two orderly queues formed at the Shinjuku Gate to purchase tickets before the park opened.

There are many varieties of cherry blossoms. I'm far from a seasoned cherry blossom enthusiast, so all I can say is that the sight of the large trees blossoming with flowers was really so beautiful and had a definite wow factor. It was quite beyond words. The blossom lasts for only one to two weeks and the fact that you won't be able to find a bouquet of them at a florist shop made the experience all the more unique :)

There were a few stalls selling various Japanese snacks, foods and drinks in the garden.

The garden is huge and walking amongst the beautiful flower encrusted trees was an enjoyable and peaceful experience.  I liked watching the falling petals as they drifted to the ground.

I walked out from the Sendagaya Gate to look for a cafe for lunch. The Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium and the  Olympic Stadium Construction site were within walking distance from the gate. A nice curry lunch at the Gymnasium cafe compensated for the somewhat long walk.

The garden was very crowded after I re-entered to trace my way back to the Shinjuku Gate..

As visible, it was a good decision to do the viewing in the morning.

Ueno Park

Ueno Park is always the 'MUST' visit park for Cherry Blossoms.
Leaving the best for the last turned out to be anticlimactic though. The park was completely overcrowded with tourists and locals, and the thought of a tranquil picnic under the cherry blossoms just vaporized amidst the noise and crowd.

We walked through the park briskly, and decided to head for other attractions within the vicinity.

Rigugien Garden - Cherry Blossom Night Viewing 

Took the subway and then a long walk to the Rigugien Garden. Clearly, the locals enjoy the cherry blossoms as much as we do as we saw many young professionals in office attire gathered in groups under the cherry blossoms for some sort of company get together.

Other Viewings
Around Tokyo Government Metropolitan Buildings

Bunkyo Tower vicinity

Shinjuku Goen is my favourite park as the area was simply huge and able to accommodate the large crowd, making for a nice viewing walk.

   "Beauty replenishes the heart with joy"  ~ travelbooklet   

On the Same Trip: 
Tokyo Observation Decks
Nezu Shrine, Harujuku, Shinjuku Evening

Other Info:
Hotel: APA Hotel Shinjuku-Kabukicho Tower, ~$224/night (sgd)