Kokyo Gaien National Garden: Hanami (Sakura Watching)

This year, my girlfriend and I visited Kokyo Gaien National Garden for sakura watching, hoping it would become a cherished tradition. The park, which is often packed with tourists, was definitely a beautiful sight, but it also felt like a bit of a challenge to fully enjoy the moment. The sakura trees were in full bloom, and the scene was truly stunning, but there was one thing that kept interrupting the experience: the sheer number of people.

As we walked through the park, we found ourselves fighting for good spots to take pictures. The crowds of tourists, all eager to capture the perfect shot, made it difficult to fully immerse ourselves in the beauty of the cherry blossoms. Everywhere we looked, there were people holding up their phones, trying to snap the ideal picture with the flowers in perfect bloom. It almost felt like a race to get the perfect angle, with everyone trying to outdo each other with the best photos.

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The peaceful ambiance that we had imagined was somewhat drowned out by the noise of excited chatter, camera shutters, and people bustling around in search of the perfect frame. It was almost as if everyone was trying to beat the clock, knowing that the blossoms wouldn’t last long. While we appreciated how picturesque the scene was, it quickly became clear that hanami at Kokyo Gaien, especially during peak sakura season, can quickly turn into a stressful experience.

Kokyo Gaien National Garden

We tried to remain patient, but it was hard to ignore the fact that we were constantly bumping into people as we made our way through the crowd. The packed pathways and crowded spots made it hard to find a quiet moment to reflect on the beauty of the blossoms. People were everywhere, each person vying for the best place to capture a photo or get the perfect angle. The peaceful serenity we had hoped to experience under the sakura trees was sometimes drowned out by the noise of people huddled together, talking excitedly about their own photo opportunities.

That said, despite the chaos, the park’s beauty was undeniable. The sakura trees, with their soft pink and white petals, still created an enchanting scene. The contrast of the delicate blossoms against the clear blue sky was a sight to behold. However, it was hard not to feel a bit of frustration as we tried to find space to sit and simply take in the view. It seemed as though every other person had the same idea of getting the perfect photo, and with each passing minute, it felt more like a race than a peaceful outing.

As much as we wanted to enjoy the moment and reflect on the fleeting beauty of the blossoms, the tourist crowds made it feel more like a photo contest than a peaceful nature experience. We found ourselves pushing through the crowds to find a spot to sit and rest, but every available space was either taken or too far from the sakura trees to truly experience their beauty up close.

We had hoped to rent a boat and enjoy the sakura from the water, but like many others, we hadn’t reserved one in advance. The boats were fully booked, and as we watched people row peacefully along the moat, it seemed like the perfect way to truly experience the sakura in a more serene way. The idea of being surrounded by the quiet beauty of the blossoms, far away from the chaos of the park, was incredibly appealing. However, we were shocked to discover that renting a boat requires booking well in advance, with prices reaching a steep 10,000 yen for a boat ride.

Reserve a boat here

Given that next year my girlfriend’s sister will be joining us, we’ll need two boats, which means we’ll have to spend 20,000 yen to reserve the boats. That’s a hefty price for a boat ride, especially considering that the cost at the park itself is only 1,600 yen if you rent one on-site. It felt like a scam, knowing that we could’ve rented them for much cheaper if we had waited until we arrived at the park. The fact that we had to pay such a premium to secure a reservation in advance really took away from the experience.

Next year, we promised ourselves we’d be more prepared and book our boats ahead of time—although we still feel a bit frustrated with the inflated prices. Despite all this, the beauty of the sakura and the time spent together under the trees made the experience memorable, despite the challenge of finding moments of peace amidst the crowds.

It’s clear that sakura watching at Kokyo Gaien is a popular activity, and while it’s easy to see why people flock there, it can also be a bit overwhelming. The excitement of the crowd, combined with the short-lived bloom of the sakura, made the experience feel more like a battle for space and a rush to capture the perfect shot rather than a peaceful moment of reflection and appreciation. The excitement and anticipation in the air were palpable, but the stress of navigating the crowd was something we didn’t fully anticipate.

We both left with a mix of awe and exhaustion. While the sakura were as beautiful as we imagined, the overwhelming crowds and expensive boat reservations made it difficult to fully enjoy the serenity we had hoped for. However, we’ve decided that next year, we will be better prepared—book the boat ride in advance, find quieter spots to enjoy the sakura, and avoid feeling like we’re fighting for a place under the blossoms. We knew that next time, we’d be more patient, more thoughtful, and better equipped to enjoy the experience in its full glory.

The beauty of the sakura season, though fleeting, still made the visit worth it. Even amidst the crowds and the photo frenzy, there were still moments of connection and peace shared between us. And as we left the park, tired but content, we looked forward to returning next year—armed with better plans for booking, and with the hope that our experience could be even more intimate and serene, away from the hustle and bustle of the masses.

There is a secret tip about Sakura watching in Tokyo here.

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