Springtime in Tokyo: Cherry Blossoms & Kichijoji Bar-Hopping

Cherry blossom season has officially begun in Japan! While the blossoms are going to be blooming all across the country, today we're going to be focusing on Tokyo. I'm going to be taking you through some of the most iconic places to see the cherry blossoms, from peaceful parks to neon-lit rivers that glow at night time. And we're going to be starting right here, actually, in one of my favorites, Shinjuku Gyoen Park. But before we go, don't forget to subscribe for more Japan adventures like this one, and don't forget to check out buyfood.com to book a restaurant or food tour or even a cooking class next time you're in Japan. Alright, let's get started with our cherry blossom guide in Tokyo! Before we get started, when's the best time to see cherry blossoms in Japan? Most people say late March to early April, and that's true for cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, but that's only part of the story. Because Japan stretches so far north to south, sakura season moves up the country for almost four months. It starts as early as mid-January in Okinawa Prefecture, reaches central Japan around late March to early April, and doesn't hit Hokkaido until early May. So technically, you can chase cherry blossom season across Japan for months. Just be sure to check the latest cherry blossom forecast before you travel. 2026 is already looking slightly earlier than usual in some areas. Now back to the first stop on our Tokyo sakura itinerary, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden! While it's beautiful here year-round, during cherry blossom season this park completely transforms. Because there are over 60 varieties of cherry blossom trees blooming at different times, you actually get a much longer viewing window than most other parks. This is the ultimate place for hanami. Just bring a blanket, grab some snacks, and find a spot for a picnic under the trees. Entry is only 500 yen, but a quick tip! During peak season, especially on weekends, you'll need to book a timed entry in advance. If you're looking for that classic Tokyo sakura experience, this is it. As you can see, there are a lot of people behind me taking photos of the cherry blossoms. This could be you! And Baifu can help make those dreams come true because Baifu curates food experiences that leave you with a lifetime of memories, including cherry blossom memories. And this season, for the first time ever, we're giving a 30% discount on select restaurants and experiences that are booked on the website by the end of April. So you definitely don't want to miss out! Let us help you make this sakura season unforgettable. You can find the discount link in the description down below. Let's get back to your regularly scheduled sakura programming. Next up is one of Tokyo's most iconic views, Chidori Gafuchi. You can walk along the moat to see the cherry blossoms lining both sides, but the real highlight is renting a rowboat to see the trees from the water. Now, fair warning, the lines here can get long. During peak bloom, wait times can easily hit one to three hours. Rentals will cost you 800 yen for 30 minutes, but it's definitely worth the view. Then onto the famous Meguro River in Nakameguro. Sakura trees line both sides of the water with small bridges that are perfect for photos. The vibe here is intimate yet lively. I think it's worth noting that generally in Japan, if you're doing hanami, you're always drinking alcohol. And you're allowed to drink alcohol outside in public in Japan, so what better excuse to drink outside than under a cherry blossom? Oh, I like that. But I almost choked. The Meguro River is an eight-kilometer stretch that runs through southern Tokyo, but for the best cherry blossoms, you'll want to head straight to the section between Meguro and Nakameguro stations. Expect some crowds here, but the views are easily some of the most iconic in the city, especially when they are lit up at night. And while you're here, why not experience the magic of Nakameguro with a local on a food tour like me? I now have my strawberry waffle. It is adorable, by the way. I love this little decoration. It's a little Japanese goldfish. And the waffle is a bubble waffle, which I've seen all over social media, but weirdly, I've never actually had it before. So let's give it a taste. Oh, you can't go wrong. It's a very tasty hanami snack. It's a great way to learn about hanami culture, followed by dinner at a nearby izakaya. Scan the QR code on the screen to book. Along with Shinjuku Gyoen, Yoyogi Park is another massive favorite for hanami. If you're planning a picnic here, be prepared to claim your space well in advance. It gets crowded, but honestly, just wandering along the paths is more than enough to get your cherry blossom fix. It's also perfectly located to wander into Harajuku and Omotesando areas. If you're headed that way and not quite ready for the sakura vibes to end, you've got to check out the whimsical world of Mosca by Ginger Garden in Aoyama. Oh my goodness. It's like I've entered a cherry blossom wonderland. And all of the afternoon tea seats are just nestled underneath the cherry blossoms like a real cherry blossom picnic. I feel like I'm really just nestled in cherry blossoms. And look at this afternoon tea spread. Between the sakura desserts and adorable little bites, this afternoon tea spot is basically a dream for cherry blossom lovers. Next, I really want to try this beautiful parfait, which is definitely the star of the show. It's the Uji Matcha Buran Mange Tiramisu Parfait. And it's topped with a sakura monaka on top as well. Oh my goodness. That looks so good. And all of that strawberry on the inside. And you can scan the QR code on the screen to book it as well. Next up is Ueno Park, one of the most popular cherry blossom spots in Tokyo, and for good reason. There are hundreds of trees here, and during peak season, the whole park turns into a massive lively food festival. You could easily spend a couple of hours here just wandering between the blossoms and hitting up the street food stalls. There is also plenty to do nearby, like visiting museums, the famous Ameyokocho shopping street, and attractions for families like Ueno Zoo. If you're looking for more of an urban vibe, you have to head over to Shibuya Sakura Street. It's a small sloping street close to Shibuya Station lined with cherry blossom trees. But the real magic happens at night when the trees are fully illuminated. It feels festive, vibrant, and honestly just a completely different experience compared to the traditional park settings. Another great cherry blossom spot, this time in West Tokyo, is Inokashira Park in Kichijoji. It's easily one of the most popular places to see the sakura, especially around the central pond where the trees hang low over the water. It gets busier as the day goes on, so make sure to claim your hanami picnic spot early. Also in Kichijoji is another fun tour I joined, the beloved Midnight Diner's bar hopping tour, but with a sakura twist. You get to see the beautiful cherry blossoms first and do a festive kanpai under the trees before heading into the eclectic little bars of Kichijoji's Harmonica Yokocho drinking alley for some nightlife. That is so refreshing. Right? That's so good. I would love to drink this in the summertime as well. Perfect summer drink. It's a good summer drink for sure. Thanks for introducing such great drinks at such a great little bar. There is one thing, if you want to make the drink stronger, there is a word where you can say to any bar you go to and they'll actually be very impressed if you know this word. They'll be like, why do you know this? And the word is koime, make it stronger. And they'll just do it like free of charge and stuff, but request at your own risk. It's the perfect way to see a more local hidden side of the city. And from my experience, guaranteed to be loads of fun. Check out the QR code on the screen to book this one too. Tokyo truly goes all out for cherry blossom season. And honestly, no matter which location you go to, you're sure to have an unforgettable time. And make sure to keep an eye out for those cherry blossom forecasts because the blooming periods can be a little unpredictable. So make sure you have some flexibility during your trip and chase those cherry blossoms. And if you want to take the stress out of planning, make sure to check out some of the local tours that we mentioned in the guide. All of those links will be in the description down below. And make sure to let me know in the comments down below which of these locations that we mentioned today are on the top of your cherry blossom bucket list. And let me know if you've been to any of them before. Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed this video. And if you want to see more guides like this one, please let us know. Anyway, thanks for watching and see you soon in another video. Bye! Happy Hanami! If you enjoyed this video, click the photos on the left for more. And click the one on the right to learn more about buy food and book your own Japan adventures.