Best Late Blooming Cherry Blossom Spots in Tokyo
Beyond Peak Bloom: Tokyo's Late-Blooming Cherry Blossom Gems
During the sakura season, the most popular Somei Yoshino variety often steals the spotlight with its fleeting beauty. However, there are many more cherry blossom varieties out there, among them the late-blooming Yaezakura (八重桜). Their charm extends the sakura season, allowing us to enjoy a second wave (or third, if we count the early winter blossoms) of pink goodness. These varieties, characterized by their dense petals and robust colors, bloom from mid to late April, creating more opportunities for those who missed the earlier blooms.
Among the late bloomers, the Ichiyo variety is notable for its pale pink, double-layered petals, offering a softer contrast to the vibrant hues of its counterparts. The Fugenzo is another late bloomer, admired for its large, pale pink blossoms with a hint of white, boasting 30-40 petals per flower. The Kwanzan cherry, with its pompom-like clusters of pink flowers, is perhaps one of the most recognized yaezakura, celebrated for its ornate beauty and late arrival.
So although the cherry blossom season is generally characterized by delicate and brief flowers that symbolize the fleeting nature of existence, these late-blooming varieties provide a contrasting perspective and perhaps a more optimistic outlook of spring beauty, given their longer lifespan. So, whether you’ve missed peak blooming season or just can’t get enough of the beauty of sakura, here we go with the best spots in Tokyo to enjoy (a bit more) of these late blooming cherry blossoms!
1. Shinjuku Gyoen
Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) is one of the most popular sakura locations in central Tokyo, a stone’s throw from the bustling Shinjuku Station. This expansive park is a haven for those seeking a peaceful escape, with its sprawling lawns, meandering paths, and tranquil ambiance.
There, you can enjoy an extended sakura season thanks to its staggering collection of around 1,100 cherry trees, including in good part lots of yaezakura trees, which burst into a spectacular display of pink blossoms in late April and well into May, making it a prime destination for hanami enthusiasts and a very forgiving option for those who missed the early bloomers.
2. Ueno Park
Ueno Park (上野恩賜公園), another classic hanami spot in Tokyo, is renowned for its diverse cherry blossom varieties, including the late-blooming yaezakura like Ichiyō and Kanzan. This park is a magnet for hanami revelers, drawn by the promise of an extended cherry blossom season in the middle of some of Tokyo’s most important cultural landmarks.
The yaezakura trees, with their dense, fluffy pink blossoms, provide a breathtaking backdrop well into late April, ensuring that the cherry blossom experience continues even after the first blossoms have long faded.
3. Imperial Palace East Gardens
The Imperial Palace East Gardens (皇居東御苑) are a peaceful retreat in Tokyo, showcasing the beauty of traditional Japanese garden design. Open to the public throughout the year, these gardens are particularly captivating in Spring.
During late April, we can see the late-blooming sakura varieties coming into full bloom. The nearby Chidorigafuchi Park (千代田区立 千鳥ヶ淵公園), is also a picturesque spot for enjoying the yaezakura trees along the Imperial Palace moat or from their popular rental boats.
4. Hamarikyu Gardens
Hamarikyu Gardens (浜離宮恩賜庭園), once a feudal lord’s estate and a duck hunting ground, is now one of the most distinguished gardens in Tokyo. The garden is enveloped by the city’s towering skyscrapers, creating a striking contrast with its traditional design and its charming teahouse in the middle of the pond.
The presence of yaezakura trees adds a unique charm to the garden’s aesthetic, making it a coveted spot for visitors seeking to continue the enjoyment of cherry blossoms. There are about 26 varieties of cherry blossom in this garden, so you may want to visit more than once during the season!
5. Showa Memorial Park
Showa Memorial Park (昭和記念公園), on the western suburbs of Tokyo, is a vast expanse of natural beauty that blooms a tad later than the city’s central spots. This park sprawls across several areas, each connected by paved paths and cycling trails, so it’s a perfect place to spend a leisurely day.
With about 1500 cherry trees dotting its central lawns, many of them of the late-blossom variety, the park’s cherry blossoms offer a spectacular display slightly delayed, ensuring that the sakura season extends for those visiting in the days following the peak bloom in central Tokyo.