Posted April 10, 2015 by Jonelle Patrick2 Comments Just...Beautiful

The Best Places To See Late-Blooming Cherry Trees In Tokyo

Many a cherry blossom party has been thwarted by wacky weather or unavoidable business trips, but even if the gods throw a wrench into your best-laid plans, don’t despair! Late-blooming yaezakura come into their full glory after the regular sakura fade to black. The late-bloomers don’t deliver the big pink cloud thing in quite the same way, but I secretly think they’re much more beautiful than the early kind.

This is the order they bloom in: little frilly weeping kind first, then the pom-pom clusters bloom from light to dark. — This is the order they bloom in: little frilly weeping kind first, then the pom-pom varieties explode from light to dark.

And just so you won’t waste time looking for yaezakura in less-than-amazing parks, here are my favorite places to see them in Tokyo…

SHINJUKU GYOU-EN GARDEN

This is by far the best place to see yaezakura in Tokyo. Lots of late-blooming trees, in every color of pink you can imagine.

The best grove starts beyond this bridge that goes over the big pond.

There are a few exceptions, like this cluster of perfect pink princesses along the main swath of lawns.

To the left of the big pond (near the end) is a whole grove of late-blooming goodness. — I think that yaezakura are more beautiful up close than the more famous kind.

In case you couldn't tell in the other pictures, the trees at Shinjuku Gyou-en aren't the petite little specimens we have in San Francisco – they're HUGE! — In case you couldn’t tell in the other pictures, the trees at Shinjuku Gyou-en aren’t petite little specimens like we have in San Francisco – they’re HUGE!

Even if it's raining, I highly suggest that you pull on your wellies and get thee to this garden, pronto! — Even if it’s raining, I highly suggest that you pull on your wellies and get thee to this garden, pronto!

DIRECTIONS & MAP

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IMPERIAL PALACE EAST GARDEN

Double yaezakura start blooming just as the regular sakura start to fade.

The flowers on this rare kind of yaezakura start out white , then turn green! — The flowers on this rare kind start out white , then turn green!

DIRECTIONS & MAP

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IMPERIAL PALACE MOAT

Outside Takebashi Station, a lovely cluster of late-blooming trees turns the walkway into a fairytale wonderland.

Here's the view, looking toward the Takebashi Bridge. — Here’s the view, looking toward the Takebashi Bridge.

On the right day, the moat is an improbably shade of blue. — On the right day, the moat is an improbable shade of blue.

DIRECTIONS & MAP

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KYU SHIBA-RIKYU GARDEN

This small garden has the latest-blooming yaezakura (they are still gorgeous into the third week of April!) — This small garden has the latest-blooming yaezakura I’ve found – they’re still gorgeous well into the third week of April!

This variegated type blooms so late, you can see them with azaleas. — You can stand under the trees at Kyu-Shiba-Rikyu and feel like you are in a pink and white room.

DIRECTIONS & MAP

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ASUKAYAMA PARK

Looks like a nice walk, huh? — You seldom see tourists at this wonderful northwest Tokyo park.

And they have an amazing variety of late-blooming trees.

MAP

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OUTSIDE THE NEW OTANI HOTEL

Somehow, these trees are so spectacular, you don't even notice the boring old skyscrapers in the background. — Somehow, these trees are so spectacular, you barely even notice the boring old skyscrapers in the background.

MAP

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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly newsletter Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had

Jonelle Patrick View All

Writing mystery books set in Tokyo is mostly what I do, but I also blog about the odd stuff I see every day in Japan. I'm a graduate of Stanford University and the Sendagaya Japanese Institute in Tokyo, and a member of the International Thriller Writers, the Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters In Crime. When I'm not in Tokyo, I live in San Francisco. I also host a travel site called The Tokyo Guide I Wish I'd Had, so if you're headed to Japan and want to check out the places I take my friends when they're in town, take a look!

2 thoughts on “The Best Places To See Late-Blooming Cherry Trees In Tokyo” Leave a comment ›

juztravel says:

December 10, 2019 at 6:31 am

Hey, I love this post. Just wondering when did you took those photos? Do you think I can see such awesome scenary in early May?

- Jonelle Patrick says:
  
  December 10, 2019 at 9:57 am
  
  Sadly, even the latest cherry blossoms will be finished by early May, but you can still see other amazing flower extravaganzas! The wisteria is beyond great the first week in May – check this out: https://jonellepatrick.me/2017/04/29/where-to-see-best-wisteria-tokyo/