Ueno Onshi Park Cherry Blossoms

Ueno has been a famous cherry blossom spot in Japan since the Edo period. It is said that the first cherry tree in the park was planted by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo shogunate, and was transplanted from Mount Yoshino by his trusted advisor, the high priest Tenkai. The cherry blossom festival held from March to April each year has a long history and is one of the most crowded and atmospheric cherry blossom festivals in Japan, with hundreds of thousands of visitors per day, making it a bustling event. In Ueno Onshi Park, there are about 1,200 cherry trees planted. During the cherry blossom festival, over a thousand lanterns hang from the trees, and there are small stages for traditional performances such as festival music and Shishimai (lion dance), enhancing the atmosphere of the night cherry blossom viewing. There are also many food stalls selling traditional cherry blossom viewing foods like takoyaki and fried noodles. Locals choose to sit on the ground under the cherry trees with family and friends, enjoying a picnic while appreciating the traditional cherry blossom festival atmosphere. The main attraction is the so-called Cherry Blossom Avenue, the central promenade, where more than half of the cherry trees in the park are planted. Along the approximately 400-meter-long avenue, a tunnel of blooming cherry blossoms can be seen, making it one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in the city. Another must-visit cherry blossom viewing spot in the park is Shinobazu Pond, a large natural pond divided into Cormorant Pond, Lotus Pond, and Boating Pond. Visitors can rent boats or water bikes to enjoy the cherry blossoms on the lake and the Bentendo Hall on the island in the middle of the pond, modeled after Chikubushima in Lake Biwa, offering a unique cherry blossom viewing experience. In addition to cherry blossom viewing, the 53-hectare Ueno Onshi Park also houses cultural facilities such as Kaneiji Temple, Ueno Toshogu Shrine, the National Museum of Western Art, the National Museum, and Ueno Zoo. Whether visiting these places to broaden one's knowledge or enjoying the view of cherry blossoms with ancient temples, it is well worth exploring every corner of the park. However, a friendly reminder that the crowds during the cherry blossom season are indescribable, and it is more comfortable to avoid weekends or holidays. Ueno Onshi Park Address: 5-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo