In Japan, the biggest sign that spring is on its way is the blooming of the cherry blossom, sakura. This is without a doubt Japan's most popular flower, and if you're in Japan you'll find yourself surrounded by products with cherry blossom design or even flavor (in most cases it's just wrapping with sakura design though). One of the popular places to see the pretty flowers is the Meguro-gawa River (目黒川) in Nakameguro.
The Meguro river is a popular place to see the sakura both during daytime and in the evening. During the Nakameguro Sakura Matsuri (Nakameguro cherry blossom festival) the whole riverside is light up with lanterns in the evening, creating a beautiful setting for the Yozakura (夜桜) - cherry trees at evening.
So why are cherry blossoms so popular in Japan?
The Japanese have a saying, 一期一会 (ichigo ichie) that is hard to translate directly into English but that means something like "cherish this moment because you can never relive it". The blooming sakura shows off its fullest beauty only for a brief period, perfectly in line with the Japanese mentality of enjoying the moment. There are of course countless of other pretty flowers to be seen in Japan, but they never really gained the same status as the sakura.
Here are some more photos from the visit:
There are a number of popular places to view the sakura (an activity referred to as hanami - 花見 in Japanese) throughout Japan. Some of my recommended places in close vicinity to Tokyo include the Ueno Park (also beautiful in autumn), Mt. Takao (great for an easy hike) and the Imperial Palace (where you can go jogging too). If you want to take a day trip to see Mt. Fuji as well then you should check out Mt. Iwadonosan in Ootsuki.
■ Basic Info
- ・Name of Place: The Meguro-gawa River (目黒川)
- ・Address：目黒川沿道, Meguro, 152-0000
- ・Official Home Page：http://meguroku-net.com/
Related blog posts
- All blog posts about Cherry Blossoms
- Kanto:
- Mt. Fuji & Sakura: Maruyama Kouen (丸山公園) and Iwadono Castle (岩殿城)
- Tokyo Cherry Blossom Spots: Nakameguro's Meguro River (目黒川)
- Hiking in Tokyo: Sakura viewing (花見) at Mount Takao
- Cherry Blossoms and Jogging in Tokyo: The Imperial Palace (皇居)
- Saitama: Sakura Season & Washi no Sato World Heritage Paper Making in Chichibu
- Chubu:
- The Tsubame Sakura Matsuri: Cherry Blossom PR & Last Minute Preparations
- Behind the Scene of the Tsubame Sakura Matsuri Festival - The Oiran Dochu
- Izu: Sakura Viewing at the Kawazu Sakura Festival (伊豆河津桜まつり)
- Early March Cherry Blossom Viewing in Shonan - Oide River (小出川)
- Kansai:
- Sakura Season in Kansai - Hanami in the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park!
- Spring in Japan: Sakura Season and Hanami in Kyoto!
- Spring in Kyoto: Ritsumeikan University Orientation Week and Cherry Blossom Hanami!
- Sakura Season: Weekend Trip to Nara
- All blog posts from Japan
- All blog posts about festivals
- All blog posts about seasonal Kanto events
- Spring
- Hiking in Tokyo: Sakura viewing (花見) at Mount Takao
- Tokyo Cherry Blossom Spots: Nakameguro's Meguro-gawa River (目黒川)
- Summer
- Bon Odori Midsummer Festival in Ebisu (恵比寿駅前盆踊り)
- Pikachu Outbreak in Yokohama - Pikachu Tairyou Hassei-Chu
- Summer in Tokyo: Ultra Japan at Tokyo Odaiba!
- Autumn
- Winter
Recommended Sakura View Hotels in Tokyo
Hotel Chinzanso ★★★★★ → review . | Hotel New Otani Tokyo ★★★★★ . | The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo ★★★★★ , | Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa ★★★★ . |
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Thank you for reading! Please feel free to leave any comments or questions below
~Anette
About Anette
Anette came to Japan as an exchange student in 2010, met the love of her life and got stuck. From her base in Tokyo she writes about her experiences as a full-time worker in Tokyo and about her travels in Japan and abroad. She's a free-spirited adventurer who enjoys both the great outdoors and her urban lifestyle.
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