Sakura – Lakbayer

Sakura 2016: Revisiting Koganei Park

Visit Date: 04/06/2016 (Best Time: early to mid April)

Koganei Park (小金井公園) with about 1,700 cherry trees planted around it is considered as one of the best Sakura Spots in Japan. The park is located in the western suburbs of Tokyo which is about 60-minutes away from Tokyo station.

The cherry blossoms in the park are already in full bloom, with some especially those that are located near the west entrance of the park are already past their peak with leaves already sprouting but are still beautiful to see.

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Sakura 2016: Inokashira Park

Visit Date: 03/27/2016 (Best Time: early April)

Inokashira Park is a 43-hectares park located on the western side of Tokyo and sits on both Mitaka and Musashino cities. It is easily accessible via the lively Kichijoji neighborhood. It is estalished in 1917 and it is considered as one of the oldest park in Tokyo.

A large pond stretches across the park which has about 250 cherry trees lining its banks. The branches of the cherry trees spread and reflected over the water creates a stunning view during the cherry blossom season. Visitors can also enjoy the view from the water through the rented paddle and row boats.

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Autumn 2015: Showa Kinen Park

Visit Date: 10/09/2015 (Best viewing Time: early November to early December)

The Showa Memorial Park 昭和記念公園 located in Tachikawa, which is about 60 minutes from Tokyo Station, is a massive park that is very popular in spring and autumn. The park has gorgeous flowers particularly sakura (cherry flower), tulips, and poppies in spring and vibrant fall colors.

As of today, the park has already started to show autumn colors, although still at the very early stage. The cherry trees have turned orange while some of the maple trees are starting to turn orange and the ginkgo trees are already showing some yellow.

Showakinen_2015-10-09_01 Cherry trees along the dry canal.

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Sakura 2014: Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens (2014.04.01)

One of the surviving gardens from the Edo period and one of Tokyo’s oldest and best preserved Japanese garden. Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens also provides visitors with gorgeous cherry blooming trees. It features beautiful weeping cherry trees around the garden’s entrance gate and several Someiyoshino Sakura near the pond.

Please note however, that some parts of the pond and several structures and walkways in the park are under renovation and may have certain impact on the view.

Visitors taking photoi of the Weeping Cheery tree near the garden entrance.

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Sakura 2014: Kitanomaru National Garden (2014.03.31)

This park is a part of the Imperial Palace Outer Gardens and was formerly the northern fortress of Edo castle. Kitanomaru National Garden is located around 1.1 kilometers from the popular cherry blossom spot, Chidorigafuchi Ryokudo. The sakura trees around the lawn area are also in full bloom as of today. Unlike other parks in Tokyo, Kitanomaru Park is not as crowded thus provides a peaceful ambiance.

Lawn area in Kitanomaru Park.

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