Hibiya Park is Japan's first modern Western-style park, boasting an area of approximately 162,000 m2.

With a magnificent fountain and various flower beds of different sizes, it is a space filled with nature where you can feel the four seasons no matter when you visit. In spring, it is a popular cherry blossom viewing spot with about 40 beautiful cherry trees and seasonal flowers.

What is Hibiya Park?

Hibiya Park, located in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, has been loved by many people as an urban oasis since it opened in 1903.

On the south side of the park, the park's symbol, the Great Fountain, shoots water up 12 meters from a 30-meter diameter pond, while on the opposite side, in the north, is the famous and beautiful Cloud Pond, which is home to the Crane Fountain, said to be the third oldest fountain in a city park in Japan.

The park is home to the Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall, a mecca for outdoor music venues in Japan, and the Hibiya Library and Culture Center, and is always bustling with people.

Characteristics of the cherry blossoms in Hibiya Park

There are about 40 cherry trees planted in Hibiya Park, which is not a large number considering the area of the park.

However, the cherry trees that have grown large in the midst of lush nature and the way they blossom abundantly together with other spring flowers are particularly beautiful.

It's easily accessible from the city center and is especially recommended for those who want to enjoy cherry blossom viewing at their own pace.

Highlight 1: Cherry blossoms blooming towards Kumogata Pond

The most famous cherry tree in Hibiya Park is the Somei-Yoshino tree planted on the banks of Kumogata Pond.

This Somei-Yoshino cherry tree is characterized by its large branches that stretch out horizontally, and is renowned for the beautiful sight of its blossoms spilling over the river.

Both the view of Kumogata Pond through the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms and the view of the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms through the crane fountain from the other side of the pond are beautiful, and at lunchtime the place is bustling with businessmen enjoying their lunch while admiring the cherry blossoms.

Highlight 2: Cherry blossoms viewed from Kamome Square

Kamome Square is the area in Hibiya Park where the largest number of Somei-Yoshino cherry trees are planted.

Kamome Square is an area in the southwest of the park, with large Yoshino cherry trees lining the street near Kasumigaseki Station on the subway.

There are benches in the shade of the Somei-Yoshino trees, making it a popular cherry blossom viewing spot where you can leisurely enjoy lunch while admiring the blossoms.

The government buildings seen through the Yoshino cherry trees are a sight that is both urban and surrounded by nature - a sight that is truly typical of Tokyo.

Highlight 3: Enjoy the cherry blossoms on the terrace with a beer in hand

Hibiya Salou, located within Hibiya Park, is a stylish restaurant that was founded in 1949.

It's the perfect place to take a break during cherry blossom viewing, as you can enjoy a beer or the specialty dishes of omelet rice and Neapolitan pasta in an atmosphere reminiscent of a European open terrace.

Of course, you can also use it for light meal menus such as coffee and desserts.

From the terrace seats at Hibiya Salou, you can see the Somei-Yoshino cherry trees blooming at the back of the first flower bed in the distance, as well as the Somei-Yoshino cherry trees next to the terrace seats, so it is recommended for those who want to leisurely enjoy the cherry blossoms.

Cherry blossom season in Hibiya Park

The cherry blossoms in Hibiya Park usually reach their peak between late March and early April.

In addition to Somei-Yoshino cherry trees, mountain cherry trees, weeping cherry trees, winter cherry trees, Oshima cherry trees, and Yoko cherry trees bloom one after another in the garden during the spring, so you can enjoy the collaboration of the cherry blossom rows with tulips, as well as the sight of cherry blossoms paired with a variety of other plants including rape blossoms and pansies, all throughout the spring.

By the way, in 2024, the cherry blossoms will bloom on March 28th and reach full bloom around April 1st.

Additionally, in Hibiya Park, the winter cherry blossoms reach their peak in mid-March, while the mountain cherry blossoms and weeping cherry blossoms reach their peak at the same time as the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms.

Location of Hibiya Park

1-6 Hibiya Park, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Access to Hibiya Park

It takes about 20 minutes by taxi from Haneda Airport to Hibiya Park.

If you are traveling by train, take the Airport Line Limited Express and get off at Shinbashi Station, which is about 25 minutes away, and then you can walk there in about 15 minutes.

Tourist spots near Hibiya Park

Tourist Spot 1: Hie Shrine

Hie Shrine, located about a 20-minute walk from Hibiya Park, is a spot that is rapidly gaining popularity among tourists due to its photogenic staircase of red torii gates.

We recommend visiting the shrine and getting a sense of Japanese tradition through its thousand torii gates, which are rare in Tokyo. However, unusually for a shrine, there is an escalator that allows you to walk up the approach to the shrine, so even those with physical disabilities can feel at ease.

Hie Shrine is located near a business district, so it is frequented by office workers in the area, and there is even a talisman called "Business Charm."

It is said that the shrine actually grants blessings of prosperity in business, and that stroking the statue of the monkey known as "Masaru," the divine messenger of Hie Shrine, will bring especially great blessings.

Location of Hie Shrine

2-10-5 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Tourist spot 2: Konica Minolta Planetarium TOKYO

Konica Minolta Planetarium TOKYO, located about a 10-minute walk from Hibiya Park, is a stylish and sophisticated spot where you can experience a new era of planetarium.

This extraordinary space, which features two permanent domes and an experiential VR attraction, is renowned for offering an unprecedented sense of immersion, coupled with the effects of cutting-edge surround sound.

We especially recommend the "Galaxy Seat (Pair)" installed in DOME2 for couples and those visiting with small children.

Enjoying the beauty of the night sky while sitting in the relaxing sofa-style seats is sure to soothe your fatigue after sightseeing in Japan.

Konica Minolta Planetarium TOKYO Location

Yurakucho Marion 9th floor, 2-5-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Tourist spot 3: Tokyo Station Gallery

Tokyo Station Gallery is an art museum located about a 20-minute walk from Hibiya Park.

Located inside Tokyo Station, this art museum has been exhibiting works of art, mainly modern and contemporary art, since it opened in 1988.

In addition to the special exhibitions that change four to five times a year, the museum is also recommended for those with an interest in architecture, as it features exhibition rooms with red brick walls that expose the structural bricks and steel frames from when Tokyo Station was first built.

Tokyo Station Gallery Address

1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

summary

Hibiya Park is a modern Western-style park located in the heart of the city, and is a popular tourist area where many tourists come to enjoy cherry blossom viewing, mainly those who work in the neighborhood.

The sight of the well-maintained cherry blossoms blooming with the fountain and other attractions in the background enriches the hearts of all who visit.

This is especially recommended for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a leisurely cherry blossom viewing experience.