Cherry blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
With over 1,000 cherry trees, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is one of the best and most popular spots for hanami in Tokyo.
spring
Hike around Lake Ashi in Hakone
After getting down from Mount Komagatake and starting from the Hakone-en Komagatake Ropeway station, I walked on the road in the direction of Moto-Hakone, at the southern end of Lake Ashi. I spent some time at the Hakone shrine and at the Hakone Detached Palace. I then took the so-called Outer Rim Trail (外輪山のハイキングコース) that follows the Ashinoko Skyline Road in the mountains west of Lake Ashi. I followed the trail until I reached Togendai, at the northern end of Lake Ashi. I arrived just in time to catch the last express bus to Shinjuku.
Hike from Sounzan to Mount Kami & Mount Komagatake in Hakone
A couple of weeks ago, I went back to Hakone, this time for a hike to Mount Kanmurigatake, Mount Kami (神山; 1438m) and Mount Komagatake (駒ヶ岳; 1327m).
Oedo Fukagawa Cherry Blossom Festival
The Oedo Fukagawa Cherry Blossom Festival is held in Fukagawa, in Koto City, east of the Sumida River. The area has large canals lined with many cherry trees. Although I did not get to ride them, boat cruises were available during the festival to see the flowers from a different angle.
Omiya Bonsai Village
While I was in Omiya for hanami, I also took the opportunity to visit the Omiya Bonsai Village. It is an area north of Omiya Park known as one of the most outstanding bonsai cultivating areas in Japan. This is where the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is located, as well as numerous bonsai nurseries. A large bonsai festival (大盆栽まつり) is also held every year from May 3rd to May 5th.
Cherry blossoms at Omiya Park
Omiya Park (大宮公園) is a public park in Omiya, Saitama Prefecture, about 30min north of Tokyo. The park contains many cherry trees, a zoo and a museum. It is also the location of the shinto Hikawa Shrine (氷川神社).
Cherry blossoms at Asukayama Park in Oji
Asukayama Park is a park located in Oji, Tokyo. It was established by Shogun Yoshimune Tokugawa in the early 18th century to serve as a good hanami (cherry blossom viewing) spot for Edo citizens.
Hike to Mount Ougi & Mount Momokura
Mount Ougi (扇山; Ougiyama; 1138m) and Mount Momokura (百蔵山; Momokurasan; 1003m) are 2 mountains located in Otsuki, in Yamanashi Prefecture. In good weather, they offer great views of Mount Fuji. I went there on a hike a couple of weeks ago.
Cherry blossoms along the Meguro River
Just like the Kanda River, the Meguro River in southern Tokyo is lined with concrete and cherry trees. It is a very popular spot during cherry blossom season and, even on a week day, it was quite crowded. The path starts at Ikejiri-Ohashi station near the Meguro Sky Garden. The crowd thins out considerably east of Meguro station but there are still cherry trees all the way to Shinagawa.
Cherry Blossoms along the Kanda River
Starting at Edogawa Park in Bunkyo, I walked on a pedestrian path along the Kanda River until I reached Takadanobaba. The river is lined with cherry trees that were at their peak bloom when I visited.