Kinuta Park cherry blossoms: My first spring visit

The Kinuta Park cherry blossoms are incredible. That is what I discovered in 2024. They are among the best in Tokyo. If you are a hanami lover, check them out. Let’s delve deeper into what makes them the perfect spring destination.

My wife and I decided to go to the park by car. Why? Because it is about a 20-minute walk from the closest train station. But as we went on a beautiful day and it being a weekend, it was a massive traffic jam! What normally takes twenty minutes took us nearly an hour.

One thing I must talk about is the weather. The 2024 cherry blossom in Tokyo was poor to say the least. It seemed that it rained every day or there was the threat of a downpour. I was glad I got one good photo session with the flowers.

What kind of park is Kinuta?

  • It is family-friendly. Think of Inokashira Park minus the pond and temple. There is lots of space for kids to run around and have fun. Kinuta Park was once a golf course, so it has huge spaces.
  • As you can see in the photos, many families go there. They can eat their bento under the trees. They can enjoy a walk or do something more active. Mums and dads love this place. There is even a good-sized car park that isn’t expensive.
  • Most importantly, it is free! That makes it very family-friendly. Many people in Tokyo are on budget these days so places like this are welcome.

What were the Kinuta Park cherry blossoms like?

The Kinuta Park cherry blossoms in 2024 were impressive. Some of the trees were huge. The flowers were beautiful. It was a real pleasure to walk under them. And there were types I had never seen before.

Do you know the Oshima Cherry? It was my first time to see it. This type is native to Izu Oshima island and the Izu peninsula. The other types include Someiyoshino, Yamazakura, and Yaezakura.

There are no barriers to Kinuta Park’s trees. You won’t see any fences or chained-off areas. Everyone can enjoy their bentos right under the trees. It is family-friendly.

How many cherry trees are there?

930.

Spring has more than cherry blossoms

During this trip, I discovered a beautiful bed of tulips. They provided some real color to the day. The park’s gardeners work hard!

Are there food options?

The park has some food vans and kiosks. There is also a restaurant at the Setagaya Art Museum. These can be expensive. If you’re on a budget skip them.

Take the Japanese family-friendly option. A bento (lunch box), will give you the real hanami experience. There is also a supermarket nearby if you can’t make one or don’t have time. Remember to take your rubbish home.

What photo gear did I use for these pictures?

Camera Body: X-T3

Lenses: 

  • XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS
  • XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR

Wrapping up

The Kinuta Park cherry blossoms were amazing. I was surprised by the size of the trees. Some of them were huge. They were at their peak for my visit in 2024. I can’t wait to go back in 2025.

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