Written by Aarohi Narain
Nagatoro is a pleasant day trip from Tokyo, almost any time of the year. But come cherry blossom season, it’s a must-visit.
What happens?
The cherry blossoms in Nagatoro aren’t just famous in the Tokyo area — the collection of spots is actually named among the official top 100 scenic sakura spots in all of Japan.
If you’re looking for a place to lay out a tarp and have a full-on hanami party, this isn’t it. Instead, it’s more for taking in the scenery while walking, with approximately 3,000 cherry blossom trees in different locations throughout Nagatoro.
Kita Sakura Street and Minami Sakura Street feature cherry blossom tunnels. Around Mount Hodo, you can see tree-lined lanes, and the area surrounding Hodosan Shrine boasts 30 different varieties of cherry blossom — move over, Somei Yoshino.
Schedule 2026
There are three recommended viewing periods with specific highlights:
- Around the end of March: Hozenji shidare-zakura or weeping cherry blossom
- End of March to early April: Sakura tunnels and Hodosan Shrine area cherry blossoms
- Early to mid-April: Double cherry blossom trees
The Iwata cherry tree, a rare cherry tree believed to be found only in this area, will be lit up from March 20 until early April (depending on the flowering conditions) from sunset to 9 p.m.
How to get there
First, make your way to Ikebukuro Station. The easiest route is to take the Laview Limited Express until Chichibu Station, then switch to the local Chichibu Line and get off at Nagatoro Station. The entire journey should take around 2 hours. From the station, the Hodosan area is around 20 minutes on foot.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
