Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival

Hanami (flower-viewing) is a chance to reflect on the ephemeral nature of life — or a good excuse for a party.

Viewing the cherry blossoms at Ueno Park is something special since there are more than 800 cherry trees.

What happens?

Bring something to eat, drink, a ground-sheet to sit on, and warm clothes for when the sun goes down. Expect crowds — which adds to the atmosphere — and have fun. There were some rules in the previous years about where you can picnic, so make sure to check the current regulations. The park does get busy quickly, so we recommend laying down your picnic mat as early as possible.

If you don’t fancy a picnic, you can just grab a quick snack at one of the many food stalls. Here, you can try some yakitori, yakisoba, dango, and much more.

Naturally, the actual dates of this ‘festival’ very much depend on when Mother Nature allows the cherry blossoms to flower, but there will be events throughout, including music and parades from March 22 to 31 (extended to April 7) during the Ueno Sakura Festa 2024 and cherry blossom illuminations from March 16 to April 7 (5 p.m. to 8 p.m).

When do cherry blossoms start in Tokyo?

Check out our Tokyo Cherry Blossom Forecast. For all the blossoms, see our Best Cherry Blossoms Spots in Tokyo Mega Guide, for late-night views check out our guide to Yozakura events and for elsewhere in Japan check our forecast!