The best places to have a ‘Hanami’ Party in Tokyo, Kyoto and Sapporo
Yesterday, the Meteorological Agency of Japan has declared the start of spring in Tokyo. It is earlier by 9 days on average due to warmer weather. So fast!
Hanami’ ( 花見) means flower viewing but it is now specifically associated to Cherry Blossom viewing. If you time in your itinerary to have a hanami party, do give it a go! It completes the whole hanami experience.
Do
- Take note of the park rules
- Go early to pick a good spot
- Clear your own trash
Things to bring
- Picnic Mat
- Food & Drinks
- Paper Cups, chopsticks and plastic plates
- Plastic Bags (to keep your trash in)
Tokyo — Ueno Park
Ueno Park boasts more than 1,000 cherry blossom trees which makes it the most popular hanami spot in Tokyo.
Personally I have yet to have a hanami picnic there and I hope to one day!
Admission Fee: None
Access: Ueno Station
Tokyo — Shinjuku Gyoen
Other than Ueno park, Shinjuku Gyoen is another location to consider as it has over 1,500 cherry blossom trees, wider lawns and fewer people.
There are a lot of painters around Shinjuku Gyoen which is pretty cool!
Admission Fee: 200 yen
Access:
10 min walk from JR Shinjuku Station (New South Exit)
5 min walk from Shinjukugyoenmae Station
Kyoto — Maruyama Park
Maruyama Park is the most popular and crowded hanami spot in Kyoto as you can see from my photo above. It is also the perfect place to yozakura (夜桜) which means viewing sakura in the night. There were soooo many working adults having company parties when I was there.
The park allows visitors to set their own picnic mats so please remember to bring one as getting a table is pretty hard considering its popularity!
Admission Fee: None
Access:
Take bus 100 or 206 from Kyoto and alight at Gion bus stop. Walk through Yasaka Shrine to get to Maruyama Park.
Sapporo — Maruyama Park
If you miss Tokyo and Kyoto’s sakura in late march — early april. You would have a chance to see sakura in late april — early may in Hokkaido.
Maruyama Park has the best hanami party atmosphere in Sapporo and I have to say, people in Sapporo really bring Hanami parties to the next level with their portable BBQ pits (allowed only during Golden Week)! There are over 1,700 sakura trees.
Do walk along the route to Hokkaido Shrine (which is nearby) as there are many pop up stores selling food and drinks. Maruyama zoo is also nearby if you’re keen to visit.
Spotted a suuuuuuper cute baby with red cheeks.
Admission Fee: None
Access: Maruyama Koen Station
Thank you for reading!
