Bunkyo Azalea Festival at Nezu Shrine
The Bunkyo Azalea Festival is currently taking place at Nezu Shrine. Its garden contains more than 3,000 azalea plants.
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Cherry blossoms at the Aoyama Cemetery
Aoyama Cemetery (青山霊園) is located in Aoyama, Minato, not far from Roppongi. The cemetery is famous for its cherry blossoms and many people visit it during hanami season. When I visited, the blossoms were already past their peaks and petals were falling from the trees and covering the tombs and alleys.
Cherry blossoms along the Takinogawa River
Starting at Oji station, I walked on a pedestrian path along the Takinogawa River (滝野川) until I reached Naka-Itabashi station. The path is lined with many cherry trees.
Tokai Nature Trail: Hike from Lake Sagami to Mount Shiro & Mount Takao
After getting down from Mount Sekirou and/ back at Sagami Dam, I decided to return home using the Tokyo section of the Tokai Nature Trail. It goes from the dam to Mount Shiro (城山) and Mount Takao (高尾山). I then took the lift down Mount Takao to the Keio Takaosanguchi train station.
Ceremonial sumo tournament at Yasukuni Shrine
Every spring, a ceremonial one-day sumo tournament called Honozumo is held on the grounds of Yasukuni Shrine. Entrance is free.
Cherry blossoms at Yoyogi Park
With more than 600 cherry trees, Yoyogi Park is a popular hanami spot for the Harajuku crowd.
Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine in Sendagaya
Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine is a shinto shrine in Sendagaya, Shibuya City. Its distinguishing feature is its Fujizuka, called the Sendagaya Fuji. Fujizuka are small mounds that represent Mount Fuji. Fuji worshipers who are unable to do a pilgrimage to the top of Mount Fuji can use one of those instead. There are many other such Fujizuka in Tokyo (for example, at Shinagawa Shrine or Onoterusaki Shrine in Iriya).
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.
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.
