Tokyo Cherry Blossom Itinerary: 4 Days, Day by Day
Tokyo Mate
Complete guide to the ideal 2026 Tokyo cherry blossom 3-night 4-day itinerary.
From Nakameguro and Chidorigafuchi to Shinjuku Gyoen and Ueno —
optimized routes, restaurant picks, and night viewing courses all in one place.
Hello, this is Tokyo Mate, bringing you the latest spring news from Tokyo.
How do you plan a 3-night 4-day Tokyo cherry blossom trip in 2026 without missing the blossoms or the landmarks?
From cherry blossom hotspots like Nakameguro, Chidorigafuchi, and Shinjuku Gyoen, to Tsukiji, Ginza, and Tokyo Tower — here's the route-optimized cherry blossom season itinerary. 🌸
1. When Should You Visit Tokyo for Cherry Blossoms in 2026?
Tokyo's cherry blossoms in 2026 are expected earlier than the historical average (March 24).
The Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) 6th forecast (February 26) predicts blooming on March 18 and full bloom on March 26. Meanwhile, WeatherNews 4th forecast (February 25) predicts blooming on March 22 and full bloom on March 29.
| Category | JMC (Feb 26) | WeatherNews (Feb 25) |
|---|---|---|
| Blooming | 3/18 | 3/22 |
| Full Bloom | 3/26 | 3/29 |
| Petal Fall | 3/29~ | 4/1~ |
Here's how to adjust your timing for flexibility:
- Mid-March (just after blooming): Visit parks with early-blooming kanzakura varieties
- Late March (full bloom): Go to your top picks like Chidorigafuchi and Nakameguro
- Early April (cherry blossom ending): Experience "cherry blossom snow" at Meguro River and Chidorigafuchi
👉 2026 Tokyo Cherry Blossom Forecast
3-Night 4-Day Cherry Blossom Itinerary at a Glance
Routes are arranged West (Day 1) → East (Day 2) → Central (Day 3) → Near hotel (Day 4) to avoid backtracking.
| Day / Temp | Area | Landmarks |
| Day 1 (West) 14°C / 6°C | Airport, Nakameguro Shibuya, Shinjuku | Nakameguro cherry blossom tunnel, Shibuya Scramble, Shibuya Sky, Shinjuku nightlife |
| Day 2 (East) 15°C / 7°C | Asakusa, Sumida Ueno, Tokyo Station | Sensoji, Sumida Skytree cherry blossom view, Ueno 800 cherry trees, Tokyo Station night view |
| Day 3 (Central) 14°C / 5°C | Tsukiji, Ginza Chidorigafuchi, Shiba Roppongi | Tsukiji Market, Ginza, Chidorigafuchi boat, Shiba Park + Tokyo Tower, Roppongi Midtown cherry blossoms |
| Day 4 (Wrap-up) 15°C / 7°C | Shinjuku Gyoen Airport | 65 species, 1,000 trees; Shinjuku shopping |
Combining both forecasts, the golden 3-night 4-day window is March 25 (Wed) to March 28 (Sat). You'll catch the full bloom peak, and Wednesday departures mean cheaper airfare.
👉 Japan Flight Booking Guide
👉 Tokyo March Weather & Clothing Guide
DAY 1: Nakameguro Cherry Blossoms → Shibuya → Shinjuku Night
Day 1 begins at Nakameguro, Tokyo's most popular cherry blossom spot, then captures Shibuya's energy, and wraps up with Shinjuku's nightlife.
Route & Time
- [Airport] Airport transfer, hotel check-in (1:00 PM)
↓ JR Yamanote Line
- [Shibuya Station] Shibuya lunch, Scramble Crossing (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
↓ Tokyu Toyoko Line
- [Nakameguro Station] Meguro River cherry blossom walk (4:30 PM - 7:30 PM)
↓ Tokyu Toyoko + JR Yamanote
- [Shinjuku] Shinjuku dinner, Kabukicho, Omoide Yokocho (8:00 PM~)
1:00 PM | Arrive in Tokyo & Check In
Take the N'EX (Narita Express) from Narita Airport to Shinjuku and drop bags at hotel.
👉 Narita Airport Arrival Guide
👉 Book Discounted N'EX Round-Trip Tickets on Klook
1:30 PM | Shibuya Lunch & Scramble Crossing
Lunch in Shibuya then cross the world's most famous scramble crossing. If you have time, Shibuya Sky observatory (230m rooftop) is recommended — views of cherry blossom season Tokyo, and Mt. Fuji on clear days. Book sunset slots early.
👉 Book Shibuya Sky Tickets on KKDay
👉 Maisen Shibuya Hikarie Tonkatsu Guide
4:30 PM | Nakameguro Cherry Blossom Walk & Night View
About 800m of Somei Yoshino cherry trees form a tunnel along both sides of the Meguro River. Best photo spot: 300m upstream from Nakameguro Station toward Ikejiri-Ohashi — the angle where cherry blossoms from both banks meet over the water.
Walk back along the opposite bank — same cherry blossom path but lined with cafes and boutiques for a completely different atmosphere.
👉 Nakameguro Cherry Blossom Guide
👉 Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo
8:00 PM | Shinjuku Dinner
Head back to Shinjuku where your hotel is. Explore the neon-lit Kabukicho or grab skewers and beer at Omoide Yokocho to end Day 1.
👉 Shinjuku Yakiniku All-You-Can-Eat BEST 3
👉 Shinjuku Golden Gai vs Omoide Yokocho
DAY 2: Asakusa & Sumida Park Cherry Blossoms → Ueno Cherry Blossoms → Tokyo Station Night View
Day 2 is all about Tokyo's most quintessentially Japanese scenery. Starting from Sensoji, walking the cherry blossom path with Skytree views, through Ueno Park's 800 cherry trees, and ending with Tokyo Station's night illumination.
Route & Time
- [Asakusa Station] Asakusa, Sensoji (10:00 - 11:30)
↓ Walk
- [Sumida Park] Sumida Park cherry blossoms, Asakusa lunch (12:00 - 3:00 PM)
↓ Ginza Line
- [Ueno Station] Ueno Ameyoko, Ueno Park cherry blossoms (3:30 - 6:00 PM)
↓ JR Yamanote Line
- [Tokyo Station] Character Street & Ramen Street, Marunouchi dinner (6:30 PM~)
Subway Pass (48-Hour) Tip
Activate this morning and it'll cover you through tomorrow evening (excludes JR lines).
👉 Book Tokyo Subway Pass (24/48/72hr) on Klook
Have you saved the subway map? Download the high-resolution PDF/image instead of blurry screenshots.
10:00 AM | Asakusa Sensoji
Go early for photos. Grab ningyoyaki and menchikatsu on Nakamise-dori, then walk to Sumida Park.
12:00 PM | Sumida Park Cherry Blossoms & Lunch
Best photo spot: the west bank promenade along the Sumida River. Cherry blossom branches frame Tokyo Skytree perfectly. Best light between 11 AM - 1 PM.
👉 Asakusa Gyukatsu Branch Comparison
3:30 PM | Ueno Ameyoko & Ueno Park Cherry Blossoms
No need to walk the entire park. Take the route: Shinobazu Pond → Central cherry blossom walkway → In front of Tokyo National Museum. You can see the key cherry blossoms within 1.5 hours.
During hanami season, locals spread picnic blankets and eat bento boxes — experience the authentic atmosphere.
6:30 PM | Tokyo Station Character Street & Marunouchi Night View
Take JR Yamanote to Tokyo Station. The 100+ year-old red brick station is most beautiful when illuminated at night. Highly recommend the terrace view from Shin-Marunouchi Building.
👉 New York Perfect Cheese Cookie Guide
DAY 3: Tsukiji → Ginza → Chidorigafuchi Cherry Blossoms → Tokyo Tower → Roppongi
Day 3 is the most packed day of this trip. Starting at Tokyo's best morning market, shopping in Ginza, rowing through cherry blossom tunnels at Chidorigafuchi, and finishing with Tokyo Tower's night view.
Route & Time
- [Tsukijishijo / Tsukiji Station] Tsukiji outer market (9:00 - 10:30)
↓ Oedo / Hibiya Line
- [Ginza Station] Ginza shopping & lunch (11:00 - 1:30 PM)
↓ Hibiya + Hanzomon Line
- [Kudanshita Station] Chidorigafuchi cherry blossom boat (2:00 - 4:30 PM)
↓ Hanzomon + Mita Line
- [Onarimon Station] Shiba Park cherry blossoms & Tokyo Tower (5:00 - 7:00 PM)
↓ Oedo / Hibiya Line
- [Roppongi Station] Tokyo Midtown dinner & cherry blossom light-up (7:30 PM~)
Subway Pass (48-Hour) Still Valid
Yesterday's subway pass still works today. Keep using the metro.
9:00 AM | Tsukiji Outer Market
Tsukiji is "Tokyo's Kitchen." Fresh sushi, 200-yen tamagoyaki, grilled scallops — food everywhere from morning.
⚠️ Avoid Wednesdays and Sundays. Sunday = full closure. Wednesday = many shops closed following wholesale market schedule. Market closes around 2 PM, so visit in the morning.
11:00 AM | Ginza Lunch & Shopping
Ginza Six, Mitsukoshi department store, Itoya (stationery) — plenty to see. On weekends, the street becomes a pedestrian paradise (hokousha tengoku) — great for strolling.
📌 On weekends/peak bloom, compress Ginza to 1 hour. Chidorigafuchi boat wait times can exceed 1 hour. On weekdays, you can leisurely shop 2+ hours.
👉 Ginza Satoyosuke Inaniwa Udon
👉 Ginza Kagari Chicken Paitan Ramen
2:00 PM | Chidorigafuchi Cherry Blossom Boat
The Chidorigafuchi boat ride is THE highlight of this trip. Cherry blossom branches draping from both sides create a tunnel over the water — an iconic Tokyo cherry blossom scene.
After the boat, walk the promenade — the view looking down from above is completely different from looking up from the boat.
Boats are first-come, first-served only (no reservations):
- Weekday afternoon arrival → ~15-30 min wait
- Weekends/peak bloom → expect 1+ hour wait
- 30-minute course covers the full cherry blossom tunnel round trip
👉 Chidorigafuchi Cherry Blossom Boat Guide
5:00 PM | Shiba Park & Tokyo Tower
From Chidorigafuchi, take Hanzomon Line to Onarimon Station — directly connects to Shiba Park with Tokyo Tower views. Area 4 lawn (Shiba Koen 4-gouchi) is the photo spot.
Arrive at dusk (5:30-6:00 PM) to catch the blue hour moment when Tokyo Tower lights up.
You don't need to go up Tokyo Tower. Looking up at cherry blossoms + tower from below is far more impressive than looking down from the observatory.
7:30 PM | Roppongi Tokyo Midtown Dinner & Cherry Blossom Light-Up
About 200 meters of cherry blossom path beside Midtown Garden hosts a major light-up event. The path bathed in pink lighting is famous as a night viewing destination.
DAY 4: Shinjuku Gyoen Cherry Blossoms → Shopping Wrap-Up
The final day starts leisurely. Enjoy a relaxed morning under cherry blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen, then wrap up with shopping.
Route & Time
- [Shinjuku Gyoen] Shinjuku Gyoen (9:00 - 11:00)
↓ Walk
- [Shinjuku 3-chome] Shinjuku shopping & lunch (11:00 - 2:00 PM)
↓ Narita Express
- [Airport] Airport transfer
9:00 AM | Shinjuku Gyoen Cherry Blossom Garden
Shinjuku Gyoen operates an advance reservation system during cherry blossom season. Walk-ins are possible but lines are long. Reservations available on the official website by time slot. 500-yen adult admission.
Book the 9:00 AM first slot. It's quiet at this hour, and leaving by 11:00 AM gives plenty of time for afternoon shopping.
Shinjuku Gyoen's real strength: 65 varieties and about 1,000 cherry trees. Even after Somei Yoshino finishes, double-petaled cherry blossoms (yaezakura) continue through mid-April.
👉 Shinjuku Gyoen Cherry Blossom Guide
👉 Shinjuku Luggage Storage Guide
11:00 AM | Shinjuku Shopping & Lunch
Exit Shinjuku Gyoen through the Shinjuku Gate — you'll be right in Shinjuku 3-chome. Isetan, Lumine, Don Quijote, and Bic Camera are all within 5-10 minutes on foot. Shopping and airport transfer in one direction.
👉 Shinjuku Department Store Guest Card
👉 Narita Airport Terminal 1 Duty Free
Cherry Blossom Trip Recommendations by Travel Style
Your trip satisfaction depends on who you're traveling with.
- 👴 Parents/Elderly: Minimize walking. Shinjuku Gyoen (benches everywhere) or Nakameguro cherry blossom cruise are recommended.
- 📸 Photography: Early morning Chidorigafuchi and sunset Nakameguro are must-visits.
- 👩❤️👨 Couples: Evening Roppongi Midtown + atmospheric cafes in Nakameguro/Daikanyama make a great combo.
- 🏃 Avoiding Crowds: Lesser-known alternatives like Asukayama Park, Koishikawa Korakuen, or Inokashira Park.
👉 2026 Tokyo Cherry Blossom Top 10 Spots
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q. How many cherry blossom spots per day is ideal?
2-3 spots. During cherry blossom season, walking takes longer than usual and photos take more time than expected. This itinerary is designed for 2-3 spots per day.
Q. How long does each day's cherry blossom course take?
8-10 hours including travel. DAY 3 (Tsukiji to Roppongi) is the longest, DAY 4 (Shinjuku Gyoen + shopping) the shortest. Cutting night views brings it down to 6-7 hours.
Q. What if it rains?
Move Shinjuku Gyoen (DAY 4) to the rainy day. Visit the greenhouse for tropical plants, and if rain eases, walk with an umbrella — rain-soaked cherry blossoms have their own charm. Other indoor options: Shibuya Sky observatory, Roppongi Mori Art Museum, Tokyo Station underground mall.
Q. What if cherry blossoms aren't blooming?
The same landmark itinerary still works. Shibuya, Sensoji, Tsukiji, Ginza, Tokyo Tower, Shinjuku Gyoen are all excellent without blossoms.
👉 Tokyo 3-Night 4-Day Landmark Itinerary
Q. Half-day cherry blossom options on departure day?
- Haneda departure: Shiba Park walk (9:30-10:30) → Hamamatsucho monorail → Haneda 30 min
- Narita departure: Ueno Park 30 min (9:00-9:30) → Skyliner → Narita 40 min
Both are on the route to the airport — zero wasted time.
Q. Where can you have a picnic under cherry blossoms?
Ueno Park and Shinjuku Gyoen. Nakameguro and Chidorigafuchi are walkway-based with no picnic space. Convenience stores sell 2-3 person leisure sheets for 300-500 yen.
Q. How to shorten to 2 nights 3 days?
Adjust DAY 2. DAY 1 (Nakameguro) → DAY 2 (Asakusa-Ueno-Chidorigafuchi-Tokyo Tower) → DAY 3 (Shinjuku Gyoen). Core spots in 3 days.
Q. What if cherry blossoms haven't bloomed or already fell?
Mid-March (pre-bloom): Switch to Shibuya/Ginza city touring and look for remaining kawazu-zakura (early-blooming variety). Mid-April (post-fall): Shinjuku Gyoen's double-petaled yaezakura is your last hope.
Was this 2026 Tokyo cherry blossom itinerary guide helpful? We hope you create unforgettable memories in pink-tinted Tokyo! 🌸
Related Cherry Blossom Guides
👉 2026 Tokyo Cherry Blossom Forecast
👉 2026 Tokyo Cherry Blossom Top 10 Spots
👉 Nakameguro Cherry Blossom Guide
👉 Chidorigafuchi Cherry Blossom Guide
👉 Shinjuku Gyoen Cherry Blossom Guide
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