There are many great places to view Cherry Blossoms in central and suburban Tokyo. This article introduces some of the fun and popular places you can enjoy hanami with (or without) children!  The period of Cherry Blossom viewing varies from region to region and the type of cherry blossom, but generally you can enjoy hanami in the Tokyo area by the first week of April. Some parks have different variety of cherry blossoms that bloom earlier or later, where applicable this is stated below.

This year, 2015, the season is set to open March 26^th, with estimated best viewing from the 1^st to the 9^th of April.

Some of the parks or play areas mentioned below have entry fees and / or parking fees for adults and children of school going age. Infants are free. Each description notes whether there is an entry charge, as well as providing some other useful information such as the available facilities. There are a few parks that celebrate the season with a cherry blossom festival, and others feature in the Top 100 Spots to View Cherry Blossoms in Japan, as indicated below.

If you would like an idea of a craft to do this hanami season, don’t miss Gretchen’s Cherry Blossom craft. For cherry blossom viewing suggestions outside of Tokyo, please see Erinn’s Cherry Blossom Hanami viewing article.

Showa Kinen Park

★1500 cherry blossom trees of 31 different varieties

This huge, multi-purpose, park located in Tachikawa City has much to offer people of all ages. Some of the highlights for young children are a giant air trampoline, 86 colourful climbing nets, wide slide, pedal boats and a universal playground. There is a cover charge to enter the park as well as a fee for parking. Please see their website for up-to-date charges. Facilities: 47 diaper changing areas, 7 nursing stations, you can rent a stroller, 3 eateries and 10 shops.

URL: http://www.showakinen-koen.jp/english/index.htm

TEL: 042-528-1751

SEASON: Approximately last week of March for Kawazuzakura. Satozakura until the end of May.

OPENING HOURS: 9.30-17.00

ACCESS: TRAIN: 2 minute walk from the west exit of JR Ome Line, Nishitachikawa station or 8 minute walk from Akebono gate of Tama Urban Monorail, Tachikawa Kita Station

Koganei Park

★Features in Japan’s top 100 places to view Cherry Blossoms

The 2nd largest park in metropolitan Tokyo, this park is free and is suited to children of all ages. There are plenty of activities for them to enjoy including regular playground equipment, an air trampoline, a giant sliding slope and an old SL train under the cherry blossoms. Please note parking for this park is charged. Please check their website for up-to-date costs.  Facilities: 7 diaper changing stations within toilets, 2 shops

URL: http://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/index050.html

TEL: 042-358-5611

OPENING HOURS: Anytime

ACCESS:  TRAIN: Take a bus for “Koganei Koen Mae” 小金井公園前from Chuo Line Musashi Koganei station, alight at park. 3 minute walk from the bus stop.  CAR: 10 KM from Chofu Interchange on the Chuo Expressway

Inokashira Park

★Features in Japan’s top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots

The zoo in the park is a popular spot for young children while the pedal boats are a hit with older children. Please be aware that this park gets very crowded during cherry blossom season. Park admission is free. There is an entry fee to the zoo and parking is charged. Please check the website for up-to-date rates. Facilities in the zoo: Nursing room, 8 changing areas, children’s toilet, shop

URL: http://www.tokyo-zoo.net/zoo/ino/

TEL: 0422-46-1100

OPENING HOURS: 9.30-17.00

ACCESS: TRAIN: Approximately 10 minute walk from West exit of Inokashira-koen station on the Keio-Inokashira Line or Kichijoji Station on the Chuo, Sobu, Tozai, Keio-inokashira Lines CAR: 10 km from Chofu Interchange of the Chuo Expressway

Hikarigaoka Park

★6000 hectares of open space

A great selection of activities for families including, but not limited to, playground equipment for preschool and school age children, a BBQ area, tennis and basketball courts. Entrance is free, but parking is charged. You can get up-dated parking prices on their website listed below. Facilities: A shop. Nursing room and diaper changing aread in the service centre

URL: http://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/index023.html

TEL: 03-3977-7638

OPENING HOURS: 8.30-17.30

ACCESS: TRAIN: Exit A3 of Toei Oedo line Hikarigaoka station. CAR: 3 km from the Nerima Interchange of the Kanetsu expressway

Yoyogi Park

Photo courtesy of KA Mom Chiara

★Green lawns and trees in the heart of Tokyo

There is no playground equipment in this park. The appeal of this park is its proximity to the train station and its wide open spaces. Entry to the park is free, parking is charged. Facilities: 3 shops, a nursing room with diaper changing facilities in the service centre.

URL: http://www. tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/index039.html

TEL: 03-3469-6081

OPENING HOURS: Anytime

ACCESS: TRAIN: 3 minute walk from the JR Yamanote Line Harajuku station.  CAR: Close to the #4 Shinkuku line Yoyogi Interchange on the Shuto Expressway

Toshinogyo Park

★This park holds a cherry blossom festival; the Goshiki Sakura Matsuri

The park has a small museum making it suitable for rainy days too, but its the long slide that the kids enjoy. The park is free, but parking is charged. Facilities: One nursing room in the management offices, 5 diaper changing areas, 1 restaurant and a shop

URL: http://www.seibu-la.co.jp/adachi-agri/

TEL: 03-3853-4114

SEASON: Bloom later than the Somei Yoshino Trees

OPENING HOURS: 9.00-17.00

ACCESS:  TRAIN: Bus from Tobu Line Nishi Arai Station.

Sougou Recreation Park

★One of the locations of the Edogawa cherry blossom festival

Sougou recreation park is a collection of smaller parks spread across 3 kilometres, each with its own attraction. There is a panoramic shuttle bus that goes between the areas. Please see their website for information on charges. Facilities: diaper changing station in the flower garden.

URL: http://www.city.edogawa.tokyo.jp/shisetsuguide/bunya/koendobutsuen/c_recreation/index.html

TEL: 03-3675-5030

OPENING HOURS: the management/ service centre is open between 8.30-17.15

ACCESS:  TRAIN: 7 minute walk from the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line’s Nishi kasai station

Shinjuku Gyoen

Photo courtesy of KA Mom Chiara

★Features in Japan’s top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots

The entry fee and no alcohol policy of this park, makes it slightly less crowded than neighbouring parks, during the cherry blossom season. Facilities: Restaurants, Tea house, Art Gallery

URL: http://www.http://www.env.go.jp/garden/shinjukugyoen/

TEL: 03-3350-0151

SEASON: Early blooming and late-blooming (Kanzan) Cherry trees. *2015 already in bloom

OPENING HOURS: 9.00-16.00

ACCESS:  Full information in English here.

Other recommendations from our KA Moms;

Tokyo based KA Mom Nina recommends Nakameguro River and adds “always packed, but gorgeous”.  KA member Anna likes Kinuta Park in Setagaya ward. Its nearest station is Yoga on the Denentoshi Line. She also suggested  Tamagawadai Park in Ota ward on the Meguro and Toyoko lines. Other popular places to enjoy the cherry blossom trees in Tokyo include Ueno Zoo, Jindai Botanical Gardens, Toritsu Zenfukuji, Ukima Park and Mukoujimahyakka Park.  Where have you been or where would you like to go to view Cherry Blossoms? Or maybe there is a place you feel should be added to this list? Please, we love comments, share below! 🙂