Category: Japan

Sakura 2017: Shinjuku Gyoen

Visit Date: 04/06/2017 (Best Time: early to mid April)

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (新宿御苑) is located just about 1.5 kilometers which is a short 20 minutes walk from Shinjuku Station.

The 58.3 hectares park has more than 1,500 cherry trees of more than 12 varieties which starts blooming from late March to late April and sometimes even last until early May. With its long cherry blossom season, the park is also indeed one of Tokyo’s favorite and best cherry blossom spot in Japan.

Pink and white cherry blossoms add color to the beautiful landscape around the upper pond.

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Sakura 2017: Hibiya Park

Visit Date: 04/06/2017 (Best Time: early to mid April)

Hibiya Park (日比谷公園) is a 16 hectares park that sits in front of the Imperial Palace and Imperial Hotel. It is not a major cherry blossom spot in Tokyo but it does have some lovely cherry trees. It is a good hanami spot for employees working nearby who wish to go for a quick hanami lunch break.

Cherry blossoms around the Shinkei/Kumogata Pond.

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Japan Flower Festival 2017

The spring season in Japan means it is the time for flower viewing. Here are some of the flower festivals held in the country.

Hitachi Seaside Park Flowering 2015Hitachi Seaside Park Flowering 2017
March 25 to May 14, 2017

The 190 hectares park features variety of plants and flowers all year round making it a good destination not only during spring but the rest of the seasons.

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Autumn 2016: Rikugien Garden

Visit Date: 12/08/2016 (Best viewing Time: mid November to early December)

Rikugien Garden (六義園) in Bunkyō-ku is a beautiful Japanese landscape garden in Tokyo and one of the most visited gardens during the autumn season.

The autumn leaves during this time are already past peak with some looking burnt and started falling on the ground. Those left however, especially in the Tsutsuji-chaya area, are still stunning.

During this day too, the evening illumination has already ended, which was held from November 19 – December 07.

View from the Tamamo-no iso with mixture of yellow, orange and green colors.

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Autumn 2016: Koishikawa Korakuen

Visit Date: 12/07/2016 (Best viewing Time: mid November to early December)

Koishikawa Kōrakuen (小石川後楽園) is one of the oldest and best preserved parks in Tokyo and one of the surviving gardens from the Edo period. It provides one of the most pleasing autumn viewing spot in the city.

During this week, the autumn colors in the park are already past peak but are still beautiful.

The maple tree near Togetsukyo Bridge has lost most of its leaves but the area is still gorgeous.

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