Yoyogi Park is a popular area for cherry blossom viewing. It has close to 700 cherry trees and is a large national park situated within Tokyo. It being so close in proximity to the hustle and bustle of Japan’s capital city makes Yoyogi Park a relaxing space.
Yoyogi Park is also the gateway to the common tourist spot Meiji Jingu Shrine. You will also find the likes of Shibuya, Harajuku and Shinjuku are all within walking distance.
Because Yoyogi Park has so many cherry blossoms, it gets very busy during hanami season – also known as cherry blossom viewing (for advice on budgeting for a trip like this, read here). Often people turn up early to reserve their place.
If you are wanting to travel to Yoyogi Park for the cherry blossoms, then you have come to the right place. Here we shall discuss all you need to know about cherry blossoms in Yoyogi Park.
What Is Yoyogi Park?
Yoyogi Park is one of Tokyo’s biggest parks within the capital city. It features a number of ponds, paths and greenery, as well as forested spaces. In Japanese it is known as Yoyogi-kōen.
It is commonly used for outdoor activities – it isn’t unusual to see senior Japanese people doing group exercises or painting. Other activities include running, picnicking, and scheduled events.
You may even see the odd entertainer playing music for money. It is such a scenic place to go and relax with family or friends, or even by yourself. It can take around three hours to see every part of Yoyogi Park.
Fortunately, because of where Yoyogi Park is situated within Tokyo, you can fit it into your itinerary for the day too. This is especially helpful if you are off to the Meiji Shingu Shrine.
What Is The History Of Yoyogi Park?
Yoyogi Park has a long history, despite it only being opened in 1967 as a public park. The earliest known event to happen on this site was when pilot Yoshitoshi Tokugawa successfully launched an aircraft in 1910.
Soon after the site was used as a parade ground for the military. In 1945 it housed the barracks for those who were part of the “Washington Heights”. These were U.S. officers who were in Japan during the allied occupation of Japan.
Many years later it became the Olympic Village to house athletes during the 1964 Summer Olympics. The Yoyogi National Gymnasium had also been built for the popular sporting event.
The gymnasium hosted diving and swimming competitions, and there was also an annex which had been built for hosting basketball games.
Once 1967 came around, the areas to the north of the sporting complex had become what is now known as Yoyogi Park. Prior to the year 2016, Japan had bid to host the Olympics again but failed.
Japan had planned to redevelop areas of Yoyogi Park for the 2016 Olympics. However, with their successful 2020 Olympics bid, the Yoyogi National Gymnasium (now known as Yoyogi National Stadium) was used for handball.
How To See Cherry Blossom In Yoyogi Park?
While Yoyogi Park is a common place for many activities, it is also a popular place to see cherry blossoms during hanami. For this reason, it can get very busy.
Due to there being close to 700 cherry trees, there is ample opportunity to see cherry blossoms. However, you will want to preplan how you want to go about viewing cherry blossoms.
Are you wanting to take a walk around the cherry blossoms, or set up a picnic under the sea of pink? If it is the former, then your best bet is to turn up in the morning and make your way along the paths in Yoyogi Park.
However, this is not necessary. No matter the time of day, you will get a beautiful view of the cherry blossoms that bloom in the city park.
If it is the latter, then you will want to turn up extra early in Yoyogi Park just to secure a spot under the cherry blossom trees. You may want to dedicate this job to a friend, or take a breakfast picnic to enjoy by yourself.
Where Are The Cherry Blossoms In Yoyogi Park?
You will find the wide lawns of Yoyogi Park are packed full of cherry blossom trees. They are difficult to miss due to their hues of pink and sweet smell. Also because they may be surrounded by lots of people.
If you are traveling to Tokyo during the winter season, then the Kawazu-zakura trees bloom cherry blossoms too. There are less of them, so it doesn’t appear as striking.
Even so, they are just as beautiful as their spring-time counterparts. You can find these within the central plaza area of Yoyogi Park.
Final Thoughts
Yoyogi Park is a popular destination for seeing cherry blossoms. This is due to the amount of cherry blossom trees that there are. With close to 700 of them, it can look mesmerizing during the spring-time.
Despite it being wonderful to see, it is worth noting how busy it can get during the blossom viewing season. Because of this, you may want to arrive early to make the most of it during your visit to Japan.
Fortunately, Yoyogi Park is also really easy to visit. With close proximity to Harajuku station, as well as areas like Shibuya and Shinjuku, you can fit it into your schedule for the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Get To Yoyogi Park?
Get the JR Yamanote line towards Harajuku station. To reach Yoyogi Park, it should only take 5 minutes on foot. If you happen to already be in Shibuya, then you can walk to Yoyogi Park on foot.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Yoyogi Park For The Cherry Blossoms?
If you are going to Yoyogi Park to see the cherry blossoms, then the best time to visit is in late March or early April. You will want to keep your eye on the sakura/cherry blossom forecasts which are put online.
Does Yoyogi Park Have An Entrance Fee?
There is no entrance fee to get into Yoyogi Park. It is absolutely free, with no time restrictions. So, spend all the time you need enjoying your surroundings.
Are There Any Rules In Yoyogi Park?
Just like any park, you will want to take your trash home, refrain from picking the flowers, and not feed any animals that you see.
You will also want to make sure you are not delving into any illegal activities or doing something that will hurt others – but you should not be doing that anyway!
When Did Yoyogi Park Open As A Public Park?
Yoyogi Park first opened as a public park in 1967. Before that it was a parade ground for the military. It became a home for Olympic sport in 1964, and it still has the Yoyogi Park National Stadium within its grounds.
The stadium is used for sporting events – one being the recent 2020 Tokyo Olympics which took place in 2021 due to the Covid pandemic.
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
