Enjoy cherry blossoms at Tokyo’s Imperial Palace
Can you enjoy cherry blossoms at Tokyo’s Imperial Palace? Yes, you can. I did, in March 2025. The event is something different for hanami. It’s a favorite of mine and thousands of fellow Tokyoites. We love to go inside and photograph the flowers.
The event is the same each year. After a security check, the crowd enters the palace through the Sakashita Gate. Once past the Imperial Household Agency, it enters Inui Street and leaves via the gate of the same name.
100 trees, including Somei-Yoshino and Satozakura, line the street. They met my expectations. If they weren’t in full bloom, they were close.
This event showcases cherry blossoms beautifully. But it’s not like Shinjuku Gyoen or other Tokyo parks. You need to keep moving here. Of course, taking photos is okay, but don’t take too long. They want you out of Imperial Palace as quickly as possible. Why?
Inui Street is about 8 meters wide. 1000s of visitors come each day to see the trees. If they took their time taking photos, they would cause a bottleneck. That wouldn’t be a good situation.
The weather gods smiled on us. Blue skies greeted us. I didn’t see heavy jackets and scarves. The two days we lost to rain earlier in the week were well compensated.
Inui Street isn’t only a place to enjoy cherry blossoms. It opens in autumn too. Both are excellent Imperial Palace events. I’ve been to both many times and love them.
One thing annoyed me on the day. I only take a camera and nothing else, so I can skip the security bag check. In 2025, that didn’t happen. Whether you carried one or not, everyone was in the same line. That made getting in slower. Leave questions and comments below.
How about you? What is the best way to enjoy cherry blossoms? Share your ideas below, along with questions and comments.
Date photos taken: 4 March 2025
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has been photographing Tokyo since 2011. He shoots it with his Canon EOS R5.
More Imperial Palace articles:
External related websites:
- Imperial Household Agency (official website)