Tokyo’s seasons, like the city itself, are a magical, ever-changing whirlwind for both locals and travelers alike. Whether it’s the sight of blooming cherry blossoms or the vibrant reds and golds of autumn trees, Tokyo has something special to offer all year round. In this guide, we’ll explore the city’s most enchanting seasonal highlights to help you get the most of your stay, no matter when you go!
Pink Springtime: Tokyo’s Blooming Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)
When to Visit Tokyo for Cherry Blossoms
Spring in Tokyo is synonymous with sakura, one of Japan’s most iconic natural sights. From around late March to early April, sakura trees all over Japan blossom into a sea of beautiful pink and white flowers- a sight so stunning that people have little viewing parties and picnics to enjoy them (more on that in the next paragraph). Catching this spectacle can be a little tricky though, as exact dates vary each year based on weather conditions (in fact, 2024 saw the season extend into the latter half of April, due to the warmer temperatures).. For travelers hoping to witness it themselves, it’s essential to keep an eye on the annual bloom forecast. The Japan Meteorological Corporation provides a detailed, annual forecast on where and when the blossoms will appear.
Cultural Traditions: Hanami in Tokyo
Cherry blossoms are more than just a visual spectacle; it’s a cultural experience. Hanami, or flower viewing, is a popular Japanese tradition that involves gathering under blooming trees to enjoy food, drinks, and good company. And as pleasant as the experience sounds, no description can do it justice. Whether you’re having a picnic in the park or joining a local event, participating in hanami is a must if you’re visiting during sakura season.
Best Spots to See Sakura in Tokyo
Tokyo has several iconic spots for sakura viewing, an activity known as hanami. Some of the best places to see sakura include (links open to Google Maps):
- Ueno Park: One of Tokyo’s most famous hanami spots, with over 1,000 cherry trees lining the park’s pathways. This is a fantastic place option, since the park hosts an annual cherry blossom festival with music, parades, and hundreds of hanging lanterns.
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: A beautiful blend of Japanese, English, and French gardens, featuring a diverse variety of trees that make it one of the locations with the longest flowering season.
- Sumida Park: Located on either side of Tokyo’s Sumida River, this park offers stunning , picturesque views of cherry blossoms with Tokyo Skytree in the background.
These locations are extremely popular, so expect crowds. However, if you’re looking for a more intimate experience, consider lesser-known spots like Koganei Park or Asukayama Park. There will likely still be some crowds, but you’ll have much higher chances of enjoying a more tranquil setting.
Autumn Leaves (Koyo): Tokyo’s Golden Transformation
When to Visit for Autumn Leaves in Tokyo
While the Sakura season certainly gets all the attention, Tokyo’s autumn season offers an equally mesmerizing experience, thanks to the vibrant hues of koyo (autumn leaves). Typically, the leaves begin to change color in mid-November, and reach their peak in late November to early December.
Top Koyo Viewing Spots in Tokyo
As with sakura, Koyo can be seen all over the city. With that said, however, these are some good places to see them:
- Rikugien Garden: This traditional Japanese garden is known for its historical significance (it was created in 1701 c.e.) and beautifully manicured landscapes. During koyo season, the garden is illuminated at night, creating a magical experience as the reds and orange hues pop against the dark background..
- Mount Takao: A bit out of the way from central Tokyo (roughly an hour and 30 minutes from Tokyo to Takaosanguchi Station), this mountain offers not only stunning autumn foliage but also several hiking trails with panoramic views of the city. You can also see Mt Fuji on a clear day!
- Yoyogi Park: A popular spot for locals and tourists alike, Yoyogi is known for spacious lawns, heavily wooded areas, and Meiji shrine- all which present varied, but beautiful backdrops to the autumn foliage.
Koyo Festivals and Events
In Tokyo, the autumn season brings festivals that celebrate the changing colors of tree leaves. Some of the city’s parks and gardens even host evening illuminations and events, where the vibrant red, orange, and yellow leaves are highlighted against the night sky. Rikugien Garden (mentioned above) has an autumn illumination that is probably the most popular one in Tokyo, but you can also check out the Happo-en fall festival, which hosts night illuminations and pop-up bars.
Summer Festivals and Fireworks: Tokyo’s Energetic Season
Traditional Festivals (Matsuri) in Tokyo
Tokyo’s summer season is full of vivid festivals (matsuri) that ignite the city streets with music, food, and traditional performances. Some of the most famous matsuri include:
- Sumida River Fireworks Festival: One of the largest and oldest fireworks displays in Japan, this event draws huge crowds along the Sumida River, adjacent to the Asakusa neighborhood. It takes place every year on the last Saturday in July. Make sure to check the event website for up-to-date info on date and time (the website is in Japanese, but it has a translation feature at the top of the page).
- Kanda Matsuri: One of Tokyo’s oldest festivals (and also considered one of the city’s “Three Great Festivals”), it features grand parades, portable shrines (mikoshi), and traditional music. It’s held at Kanda Shrine (and surrounding areas) on odd-numbered years, on the Saturday and Sunday closest to May 15th.
Tokyo has many, many more festivals, but these two offer an incredible glimpse into Japan’s deep-rooted traditions and should not be missed if you’re visiting in the summer.
Summer Fireworks in Tokyo
If fireworks are your thing, then Sumida River Festival isn’t the only show in town. Other top fireworks events include Star Island Odaiba (June), Katsushika Fireworks Festival and Adachi Festival (both in late July), Itabashi Festival and Edogawa Festival (early and late August, respectively. Also, both of these shows actually consist of two separate fireworks displays across opposite sides of a river!). There is also Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival (late August), but that event takes place inside a stadium, so it’s a bit of a different experience. The bottom line is that Summer is the time for fireworks, and there are no shortage of amazing shows to experience if you’re in Tokyo!
Unique Seasonal Food and Drinks
Summer festivals are also a fantastic opportunity to sample Japanese street food. Must-try items include yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), takoyaki (octopus balls), and refreshing drinks like ramune (a classic carbonated soft drink capped with a glass marble). These treats are part of what makes the Summer matsuri experience so special, and I can’t recommend them enough!
Tokyo’s Winter Wonderland: Illumination Displays and Seasonal Markets
Winter Illuminations in Tokyo
In Winter, Tokyo is host to some of the world’s most dazzling light displays. These enchanting illuminations can be found across the city, lighting up popular districts and parks. Some of the best places to see them include:
- Roppongi Hills Keyakizaka Lights: Each winter, Keyakizaka Street is adorned with hundreds of thousands of LED lights, transforming the Roppongi streets into a literal winter wonderland.
- Shibuya Blue Cave: Another “street lights” event, Shibuya’s Ao no Dokutsu is famous for its “tunnel” of trees with blue lights- a popular experience for visitors to the neighborhood.
- Tokyo Midtown: This lights display changes from year to year, but it has consistently been one of the most popular experiences due to its location at the Tokyo Midtown Shopping Center, and a coinciding seasonal ice-skating rink.
Seasonal Markets and Events
During the holiday season, Tokyo also hosts many markets and events. One of the more popular ones is the Tokyo Christmas Market in Hibiya Park, a European-themed holiday event where visitors can browse festive vendor stalls, enjoy traditional German food, and sip mulled wine. It’s a bit of an unique experience for Tokyo, but one that draws crowds, so consider checking it out!
If you’re in town on New Year’s Day, hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year, is a deeply spiritual event where locals and visitors visit temples and shrines to pray for good fortune in the coming year. Popular locations include Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Ikegami Honmonji Temple in Ota, Meiji Jingu in Shibuya, and Zojoji Temple near Tokyo Tower. Every temple does something a little different- Asakusa has their famous Nakamise shopping street, Ikegami has a bell-ringing ceremony, Gohyakurakanji has a noodles event, and Mt. Takao’s Yakuoin Temple has fire rituals and a sunrise ceremony. Hatsumode activities often start around midnight on New Year’s Eve, but if you don’t want to be an early bird, there’s usually still plenty to see in the morning.
Lesser-Known Seasonal Experiences in Tokyo
Plum Blossoms (Ume) in Late Winter
If you’re in Tokyo too soon for cherry blossom season, Tokyo’s plum blossoms (ume) offer a similarly stunning preview of spring. These delicate pink and white flowers bloom in February and can be seen in gardens and other venues, such as Yushima Tenjin and Koishikawa Korakuen. But if you’re really interested in plum blossoms, you have to visit the Setagaya Plum Blossom Festival (early February through early March) at Hanegi Park. In addition to the hundreds of plum trees onsite, the park hosts vendors on weekends that sell many different plum-themed foods and treats.
Rainy Season (Tsuyu) Delights
Tokyo’s rainy season, or tsuyu, takes place in June and it’s a period associated with hydrangeas (ajisai). These beautiful flowers can be found in places like Hakusan Shrine and Asukayama Park, and they look incredibly lovely, even in gloomy weather.
Snowy Adventures in Tokyo
While snowfall in Tokyo is rare, it does occasionally happen, and it adds yet another unique identity to this magnificent city. On snowy days, consider visiting the Imperial Palace or Shinjuku Gyoen– these two locations take on a postcard-esque beauty that you wouldn’t expect to see in the middle of Tokyo.
Conclusion: Plan Your Seasonal Adventure in Tokyo
Every season in Tokyo contains beautiful and unique experiences, from spring’s delicate cherry blossoms to the winter’s dazzling city light displays. No matter when you visit, this city’s natural beauty and vibrant culture are sure to result in some unforgettable memories. And honestly, that’s the important part. Don’t stress about when you plan your visit. Tokyo is a city that almost always has something going on, so take the time to enjoy your visit and make it memorable!