The cherry blossom season in Tokyo – or Japan for that matter – revolves around the somei yoshino variety of sakura. This five-petal flower, whose colour ranges from the palest of pink to white, is the most common and popular sakura around.
However, if you missed the chance to see them in full bloom, do not fret. There are, in fact, many species of cherry blossoms, and some of them bloom later in spring. Yaezakura, for instance, is an umbrella term for several types of sakura that have more than six petals. These white and vibrant pink flowers generally bloom from mid- to late-April.
Among all the yaezakura, the kanzan, fugenzo and ichiyo cherry blossoms are the most common and you’ll find them in Tokyo. And the best part is, they usually reach peak bloom later in April, after the somei yoshino have all gone.
So if you’re here in Tokyo in the later half of April, we recommend you check out these less celebrated but equally beautiful late-blooming cherry blossoms at the following parks and gardens.
Mukojima-Hyakkaen Gardens
Constructed in the early 19th century, this park cultivates a wide range of seasonal flowers so that there’s always something in bloom at any time of year. Late blooming yaezakura of the fugenzo and kanzan varieties can be seen here from mid- to late-April. Be sure to visit the tea house in the park for a refreshing glass of amazake (a sweet rice drink) while admiring the beautiful blossoms. The park entry is ¥150.
Koganei Park
Known for its nostalgic Edo-Tokyo Open-Air Architectural Museum, Koganei Park in west Tokyo is an expansive green space with large grass fields, ample barbeque areas, and a convenient bike rental service. This park is home to kanzan and fugenzo cherry blossoms, and you’ll find them at the Sakura-no-en garden near the park’s west entrance.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
This sprawling park in central Tokyo hosts over ten types of cherry blossoms, four of which are the late-blooming yaezakura varieties. This makes Shinjuku Gyoen a prime location to photograph cherry blossoms outside of the conventional somei yoshino season. Entry is ¥500.
Jindai Botanical Park
Located in Tokyo’s Chofu suburb, Jindai Botanical Park is famous for its rose garden as well as an extensive collection of exotic flora in the large greenhouse. Here you’ll find the fugenzo and kanzan cherry blossoms. There’s a ¥500 entry fee.
Ueno Park
Ueno Park opened in 1873 as one of Tokyo’s first official city parks, and it’s home to late-blooming kanzan, ichiyo and fugenzo cherry blossoms. For postcard-perfect photos, we recommend capturing the kanzan cherry blossoms around the Shinobazu Pond, with the Bentendo Temple in the background.
Happo-en
Located on the grounds of a former warlord’s estate, this vast Zen garden is known for its annual Tokyo Sakura Garden Spring Festival. While the event ended on April 10, you can still enjoy late-blooming cherry blossoms here. Plus, with free entry, you have nothing to lose.
Hama-rikyu Gardens
Just a short hop away from Shimbashi or Shiodome stations, Hama-rikyu is a green urban oasis known for its magnificent 300-year-old pine tree, and a plum grove that blooms in winter. However, its sakura scenery does not disappoint, with late-blooming cherry blossoms growing around the Shioiri-no-ike tidal pond. Entry is ¥300.
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