Hikarigaoka Park cherry blossoms in 2017
Hikarigaoka Park was my new place for cherry blossoms in 2017. Going there broke a tradition I once had. I used to go to Shinjuku Gyoen and Aoyama Cemetery first at the start of the season. Many Tokyo photographers went there, and so did I. For me, it was the image of perfection because I didn’t know any better. That year, I wanted something different.
It was pure Tokyo suburbia. Look at it on a map. It is in the middle of a sea of houses. Inside are tennis courts, a baseball field, a running track, a bird sanctuary, a gymnasium, and a kyudo range. It’s the kind of place where the locals hang out. They walk there, jog, kick a ball around with the kids, or even have a picnic. Once they finish, they go to the coffee shops at nearby malls. You wouldn’t find anything manicured there.
In spring, it changes. The focus moves to the cherry blossoms. I think you know. Japanese people love them. That’s to be expected because the trees are quite pretty. They look a little different to Shinjuku Gyoen’s, though.
Anyway, on the day I went, people were having picnics under Hikarigaoka Park’s cherry blossoms. The weather was nice and warm. It was a good afternoon. Unfortunately, the trees weren’t at their best.
Several years later I looked at these pictures again. Bicycles were everywhere. I finally realized how important they were. They are easier for most people to use than cars. Did you know most houses in Tokyo don’t have a garage? They’ll rent a spot somewhere. And most of the time it will be outside.
Your car will only be a short walk away if you are lucky. But I’ve known people who had to catch trains to get to them, so they only use them on special occasions. And that is why bicycles can be far easier to use.
If you have been to Hikarigaoka Park to see the cherry blossoms, let me know your thoughts. Of course, if you have been to any of Tokyo’s festivals for these lovely flowers, tell us that too. Leave questions and comments below.
Where are the Hikarigaoka Park cherry blossoms?
They are in Hikarigaoka Park. It is a ten-minute walk north of Toei Oedo Line’s Hikarigaoka Station.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
Here are more cherry blossom articles:
External related websites:
- Hikarigaoka Park (official website)