Early-season cherry blossoms 2025 in Tokyo
Early-season cherry blossoms are problematic for me. With so many places to see the flowers, it’s hard to prioritize them. Where should I go first for photos? Aoyama Cemetery got the nod most years. In 2025, I decided to change the order. This time, Hama Rikyu Gardens was first.
Early-season cherry blossoms photo gear
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Lens: Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
Why did I change my plan?
It’s simple. Long-time followers of this blog are aware of my deep affection for Aoyama Cemetery. But as I usually photograph there early in the season, I’ve rarely got its cherry blossoms in peak condition. They should be in better condition if I shoot them later.
Well, that’s my plan. Will it come to fruition? We can only hope. Keep your fingers crossed. The photos will be here soon, weather dependant.
How was the shoot?
The early-season cherry blossoms at Hama Rikyu were okay. I expected that. They were close to full bloom. Give them a couple more days and they’ll be awesome.
One thing I love about this park is that you don’t only have cherry blossoms for photos. The shoguns used to hunt ducks in the park’s ponds. Signboards explain the tactics. The park puts on falconry displays over the New Year’s period to show it used to be done.
Tokyo Tower, a shrine, a teahouse, and a rapeseed field await you. If luck is on your side, the last of the plum blossoms will still be around. It’s hard to write a complete list. Hama Rikyu is paradise for photos. I added a few of those pictures to this article, to flesh things out.
A modern problem
Several hundred overseas tourists were there when I turned up. Japan needs them as they bring valuable cash to its economy. But I was with them! They got in the way of photos.
It wasn’t serious, just a sign of the times. Anyway, the solution was to let large groups pass. Going during the week is usually the best way to avoid people. I went on a Sunday, which wasn’t the brightest idea. Plans can overcome most “crowd” problems.
Conclusion
Despite it being early-season cherry blossoms, my visit to Hama Rikyu Gardens was worthwhile. The history, nature, and city views added more to the photo shoot. The flowers were the icing on the cake. They’ll only get better. I got enough photos to make me happy.
Now, with Aoyama Cemetery still on my list, I’m looking forward to seeing its sakura in full bloom later. Stay tuned for more photos and updates—cherry blossom season is just getting started! Leave questions and comments below.
Photos taken: 30 March 2025
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
More cherry blossom articles:
External related websites:
- Hama Rikyu Gardens (official website)