Chidorigafuchi cherry blossom night photos 2025
Chidorigafuchi Green Way is one of Tokyo’s most famous spots for cherry blossoms. The park is on the Imperial Palace moat. During peak bloom in spring, the trees are illuminated. They create a stunning scene with their reflections on the water. Of course, massive crowds go to enjoy the night.
People rent boats to view the blossoms from the water for unique and romantic experiences. The contrast between the lit petals and the dark moat is breathtaking. It’s a dream location for night photography.
The Chidorigafuchi cherry blossom night experience
I had been looking forward to seeing it for years. Work or weather prevented me from going in the past. 2025 was my year, I made it. My dream was going to come true.
What was my dream? Did you know you can photograph Tokyo Tower from the north end of Chidorigafuchi? The photos of it on the internet from long ago were great. New buildings now semi-obscure the view. I still wanted that shot. Nature had other ideas for me.
It drizzled. When I got home, my heart sank when I saw the images on my computer screen. Ugly blobs of rain rendered the Tokyo Tower photos useless. I couldn’t resolve the problem in Lightroom or Photoshop. Well, the flowers will return in 2026.
The rest of the visit went as I imagined. Chidorigafuchi Green Way is a popular place during the day. People come from near and far to cram themselves onto the paths. At night, the crowd swells. I visited on a weekday. I can’t imagine what a weekend looks like.
The crowd moved at a snail’s pace along the path. People stopped and snapped photos. They took selfies and videos under the cherry blossoms. Everyone enjoyed themselves.
Who did the lighting? I have no idea, but they did a good job. The trees were beautiful under their glow.
Chidorigafuchi cherry blossom night photo tips
- The lights go on at 6 PM. But the sky will be bright. Waiting for darkness might be a good idea.
- Take fast lenses. It’s dark, boats and people move.
- Don’t take a tripod. Chidorigafuchi Green Way gets crowded. Setting it up will cause problems.
Conclusion
I enjoyed myself, despite the rain. Chidorigafuchi cherry blossom night photography was fun. My photos were acceptable, considering it was my first time. But failing to capture Tokyo Tower still hurts. Let’s hope next year is better. Leave questions and comments below.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has been photographing Tokyo since 2011. He shoots it with his Canon EOS R5.
External related websites:
- Chidorigafuchi Green Way (official website)