Delicious Dining Experiences by Cherry Blossoms
Delicious Meal While Watching the Cherry Blossom
Sakura (cherry blossoms) is a flower that symbolizes Japan. If you are lucky enough to visit Japan during the springtime, we would like you to enjoy the beautiful sakura.
We will introduce the top cherry blossom spots and their blossoming schedules mainly in Tokyo and Kyoto. Since each area varies in the peak blossom season, a little bit of advice is necessary in order to fully take advantage of this season. Let’s take a small trip in 2019 to check out these stunning cherry blossom locations.
We would like to talk about the Japanese tradition Hanami and introduce Pocket Concierge Restaurants in Tokyo and Kyoto with a full view of cherry blossom trees from their windows.
CONTENTS
- ”Hanami”＝Traditional Event of Cherry Blossom Viewing to Celebrate the Coming of Spring
- 2019 Cherry Blossom Front Information
- TOP10 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Tokyo and Kyoto
- Must-Visit Pocket Concierge Restaurants during the Cherry Blossom Season
- Map of Pocket Concierge Restaurants near Cherry Blossom Spots
”Hanami”＝Traditional Event of Cherry Blossom Viewing to Celebrate the Coming of Spring
“Hanami” (cherry blossom viewing) is one of the traditional cultures engraved deeply in the heart of the Japanese people and is an event enjoyed all over the country. The most dominant opinion is that the noble class in the Nara Period started this as a traditional custom to celebrate the coming of spring, while watching cherry blossom flowers. It is said that the first cherry blossom viewing was actually a plum tree from China and not the cherry blossoms.Cherry blossoms only have a short 2-week span from blossoming to scattering. The beautiful full bloom season is not very long. “Hanafubuki” is a flurry of cherry blossoms and is compared to the fragility of human life. Once you think the flowers have blossomed, it fades away and is gone in a blink of an eye. This symbolizes the Japanese view on life and death. Cherry blossom is a nature’s poem to Japanese people about seasons.
There is a tradition from Edo period where “Dango" (rice cakes) is eaten while watching the cherry blossoms. The Dango is made up of three colors and are called “Hanami Dango".
Each color has a meaning
White:The whiteness of snow expressing the remnant of winter
Pink:Pale red representing cherry blossoms and the breath of spring
Green:Feeling of early summer (mugwort)
The colors symbolizes the transitioning of seasons.
Many popular cherry blossom spots sell “Hanami Dangos" (cherry blossom viewing rice cakes). Even more popular are the “Hanami Bentos”. Various colorful ingredients of spring are packed into wooden lunch boxes and are enjoyed with family and friends under the cherry blossom trees.
Along with adoring the cherry blossom trees, gathering, drinking and enjoying precious time with loved ones is also one of the traditions of Hanami.
Cherry blossoms can be enjoyed past daytime and at night time as well, which is called “Yozakura” or night sakura, another graceful way to enjoy the flowers.
2019 Cherry Blossom Front Information
What is Cherry Blossom Front?Cherry blossom front is a line across the map that connects the anticipated dates of full blossom of trees in each areas of Japan. Every year from the end of March to April, blossoming begin in Kyushu (Fukuoka, Saga, Kumamoto) , Shikoku (Kouchi), and Tokyo.
Some areas north of Tokyo are still snowing in March, therefore the cherry blossoms may only be buds. However the temperature increases drastically in April and blossoming begins from the south to the north. In many cases, sakura in Hokkaido reaches full bloom during Golden Week (end of April/ beginning of May)
・Naha(Okinawa):January 18（Early flowering cherry tree）
・Kochi:March 22
・Fukuoka:March 23
・Nagasaki:March 24
・Kagoshima:March 26
・Nagoya(Aichi):March 26
・Tokyo:March 26
・Kyoto & Osaka:March 28
・Nara:March 29
・Fukushima:April 9
・Morioka(Iwate):April 21
・Sapporo(Hokkaido):May 3
*Data gathered from the blossoming period in 2011-2018
TOP10 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Tokyo and Kyoto
Tokyo
Shinjuku Gyoen
Ueno Onshi Park
Megurogawa
Hibiya Park
Shiba Park
Kyoto
Omuro(Ninna-ji Temple)
Arashiyama
Heian-jingu shrine gardens
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Nijo Castle(Seiryu Garden)
Must-Visit Pocket Concierge Restaurants during the Cherry Blossom Season
- Cuisine Francase NARITAYUTAKA
Light, original French cuisine that utilizes Japanese-style culinary “subtraction”
Cuisine Francase NARITAYUTAKA- A 6-minute walk from Nakameguro Station
- Dates,Anniversaries
Casual Dinners
- Gion Sushi Nakamura
Michelin 1-star premium sushi just one day a week in Kyoto
Gion Sushi Nakamura- A 5-minute walk from Gion Shijo Station
- Dates,Receptions
Foreign Guests
- CRAFTALE
Woven just like a tale, a gem of a French restaurant where you can feel the quality of the ingredients
CRAFTALE- A 7-minute walk from Nakameguro Station
- Dates,Anniversaries
Casual Dinners
- Edo Fukagawa Sushi Nishichi
Edo-style sushi with a special touch served in a calm and modern Japanese space
Edo Fukagawa Sushi Nishichi- A 2-minute walk from
Monzen-Nakacho Station - Dates,Anniversaries
Receptions
- A 2-minute walk from
- Japanese Stone Grill Mokushundo
Enjoy "stone-cooked dishes" using seasonal ingredients in a Japanese-style house surrounded by a garden
Japanese Stone Grill Mokushundo- A 10-minute walk
from Edogawabashi Station - Dates,Anniversaries
Foreign Guests
- A 10-minute walk
- Le BENKEI
Nara's local consumption-touting Grande Maison, boasting a guest list of distinguished guests imperial and abroad
Le BENKEI- 15-minute walk
from Kintetsu Koriyama Station - Dates,Anniversaries
Receptions,Casual Dinners
- 15-minute walk
- Onda Tokyo
Fusing Italian techniques and Shizuokan ingredients to create new and wonderous flavors
Onda Tokyo- 8-minute walk
from Nakameguro Station - Dates,Anniversaries
Casual Dinners,Foreign Guests
- 8-minute walk
- Nanzenji Hyotei Hibiya
Kyoto cuisine from a 15th-generation veteran chef, right over the counter
Nanzenji Hyotei Hibiya- Directly connected to Hibiya Station
- Dates,Casual Dinners
Receptions
- Directly connected to Hibiya Station
- Ryōtei Suginoi Honami
A Michelin 2-star historic ryōtei, a Japanese-style luxury restaurant in Kanazawa
Ryōtei Suginoi Honami- A 10-minute by taxi Kanazawa Station
- Dates,Casual Dinners
Receptions
- A 10-minute by taxi Kanazawa Station
- HIGASHI-YAMA Tokyo
Modern Japanese cuisine showcases the Tokyo of today
HIGASHI-YAMA Tokyo- A 15-minute walk from Nakameguro Station
- Dates,Anniversaries
Casual Dinners,Receptions
- L'ardoise
Fukuyama’s “local” French restaurant named in Michelin and Gault Millau
L'ardoise- A 5-minute by the taxi Managura Station
- Dates,Anniversaries
Casual Dinners
- Jardin Paul Bocuse
Carrying on the traditions of Michelin 3-star French cuisine with the food culture of Kanazawa
Jardin Paul Bocuse- A 10-minute walk Kanazawa Station
- Dates,Anniversaries
Casual Dinners,Foreign Guests
- Philippe Mille Tokyo
Enjoy high-quality champagne with beautiful and finely prepared French cuisine
Philippe Mille Tokyo- Connected to Roppongi station
- Dates,Anniversaries
Casual Dinners,Receptions,Foreign Guests
- L'EMBELLIR
A beautiful and delicate Michelin 1-star restaurant in Hiroo
L'EMBELLIR- A 7-minute walk from Hiroo Station
- Dates,Anniversaries
Casual Dinners,Receptions,Foreign Guests
Map of Pocket Concierge Restaurants near Cherry Blossom Spots
Cherry Blossom Spots
Pocket Concierge Restaurants
Tokyo
Kyoto
Osaka
Nara
Ishikawa
Hiroshima
Fukuoka
We will send you information on restaurants visited and recommended by foodies.
About
Pocket Concierge
We provide online booking and pre-payment services, offering access to over 800 of Japan’s most sought-after and exclusive restaurants. From Michelin-Starred establishments to up-and-coming newcomers and hidden gems that the best chefs and foodies keep well guarded, we feature partners from all across Japan. For guests from abroad, we currently operate in English and Chinese as well; in order to realize our vision of a totally hassle-free way to premium restaurant experiences and the facilitation of Japan’s incredible culinary arts, we are working daily to improve our service.