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We usually visit our family in Japan during the holidays but this year we made it a point to visit during the cherry blossom season so that we could see these special trees blooming in Tokyo at Meguro River. We haven’t seen the cherry blossoms in a very long time and to be honest, I don’t think we really appreciated it as much as we should have while we were living in Japan. We weren’t going to take it for granted this time!

The cherry blossom trees are usually in full bloom the first week of April, but the weather forecasted that it would be early this year so we flew to Japan the last week of March. Once cherry blossoms reach full bloom, they only stay up for a week or shorter if there is strong wind or rain. The season is very short so going at the right time can be a bit tricky. Luckily, we were able to see some cherry blossom trees pretty much in full bloom when we stopped by Meguro River.

Meguro River is famous for its cherry blossom tree-lined river. People from all over the world come here to view the trees both during the day and night, by cruising down the river or by promenading alongside it. Various food and liquor vendors set up shop along the river and any restaurant here needs reservations months in advance.

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Cherry blossoms at Meguro River Tokyo, Japan

Since we visited during the week and when it wasn’t exactly full bloom everywhere, the crowds were less than they would have been at 100% full bloom. We were actually relieved that it wasn’t 100% full bloom because we probably couldn’t handle the massive crowds. It was already crowded when we went, so any more than that would be a bit too uncomfortable for us. If you are determined to visit Meguro River during the cherry blossom season, here are some tips:

USE THE BATHROOM BEFORE YOU GET TO MEGURO RIVER

There aren’t a ton of bathrooms and if you do spot one, the lines are going to be long. We suggest either using a bathroom at a previous train station before you arrive.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO TRY THE STREET FOOD

Street food in Japan is delicious and one of our favorites is yakitori. It’s a Japanese grilled skewered chicken and it typically comes in two flavors: salted or sweet sauce. It’s a convenient dish to eat especially when there are no tables and chairs. It’s usually considered impolite to walk and eat in Japan, but in cases like this when there is a festival with food vendors it’s completely fine.

STARBUCKS RESERVE ROASTERY TOKYO

Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo is conveniently located right by the beautiful Meguro River, making this the perfect time to explore one of the largest Starbucks coffee establishments in the world. This remarkable cafe offers a truly unique experience, especially for passionate coffee lovers and enthusiasts.

It spans multiple floors and offers specialty coffee, a bakery, a tea station, and a range of cocktails and mocktails, along with a pleasant terrace for visitors. During the cherry blossom season, Starbucks in Japan showcases limited-time sakura-themed cups and merchandise, adding an extra layer of charm to your visit.

Barista serving coffee to customer — First floor of Starbucks Reserve Roastery

First floor of Starbucks Reserve Roastery with terrace outside

START YOUR WALK FROM NAKA-MEGURO

Starting from Naka-Meguro station you can walk all the way along Meguro River and the walk will be gorgeous the entire way. Don’t worry about getting lost because it’s pretty much impossible to miss.

GO EARLY ON A WEEKDAY TO AVOID THE LARGE CROWDS

Surprisingly, it gets packed the later it gets. The views of the cherry blossoms are just as beautiful in the dark when the lanterns start to light up at dusk. We wish we could have stayed longer to view the cherry blossoms at night, but we were super tired from a very early start to our day and left the area right before sunset.

Lanterns along the river that light up at night

FINAL THOUGHTS

Despite the fact that we visited during a weekday, when some of the cherry blossom trees had not yet reached their full and stunning bloom, the locations we chose were still quite packed with visitors. The weekends, in particular, are guaranteed to attract a large number of people, so if navigating through large crowds while viewing cherry blossoms isn’t something that you find enjoyable, it may be wise to plan your visit on weekdays instead.

Fortunately, we were pleased that we chose to visit shortly before the cherry blossom trees were at their peak bloom, resulting in a smaller crowd. This allowed us some much-needed space to breathe and walk comfortably along the picturesque riverbank, truly appreciating the beauty of the blossoms.

If you are visiting Japan for the first time and want to learn more about the significance of cherry blossoms in Japanese culture, we recommend taking a guided tour. Not only will you gain a deeper understanding of Japan’s beloved national flower, but you can also rely on these informative tours to enhance your cherry blossom viewing experience.