Ongoing & Upcoming Events in Tokyo
Plum Blossoms
Plum (apricot/ume) blossoms are blooming now! The peak is late February to March.
Inside Tokyo City, you will see plum blossoms in temples, shrines, Japanese gardens and some local streets.
Hamarikyu Garden: Plum (Ume) Blossoms in Hamarikyu Garden - Japanese Early Spring
Shiba Park: Plum (Ume) Blossoms in Shiba Park - Japanese Early Spring This park is located at the foot of Tokyo Tower.
Koishkawa Korakuen Gardens: See the travel guide
Mukojima Hyakka-en Gardens: Plum Blossoms & Early-Blooming Cherry Blossoms in Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden
The famous Plum Blossom Festival in Mito, a northern city from Tokyo, is 16 February - 31 March, 2019.
See photos and sightseeing guides here.
Winter Peony Garden
Winter Peony Garden is open at Toshogu Shrine in Ueno!
1 January - 24 February, 2019
Opening Hours: 9:30 -16:30
Admission Fee: 700 yen for adult, free for children under 13.
If traveling in Tokyo in this season, I strongly recommend the beautiful Japanese garden that is full of peony flowers with straw snow fences. The shrine is inside Ueno Park.
See more photos
Winter Peony Garden in Ueno (2014)
Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Forecast 2019
Cherry Blossom (sakura) Season is late March to early April!
The first cherry blossom forecast for Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, etc, 2019 was released on 24 January and it is being updated on Blog Tokyo Direct Diary until May.
Check Out Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Forecast for Japan 2019 NOW!!
Cherry Blossom Spots in Tokyo
Each post has a lot of photos and practical visitor information. They will open in new windows so that you can go back to this page easily.
March
Cherry Blossoms for Travelers Visiting Japan Earlier than Standard Sakura
The Full-Blooming Weeping Cherry Tree in Rikugien Gardens - photos & reports
Cherry Blossoms & Spring Flowers in Shinjuku Gyoen National Gardens
April
Ueno Park Cherry Blossom Festival - Why You Shouldn't Miss Shinobazu Pond!
Perfect Guide to Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival IN THE EVENING
Buddha's Birthday Festival beside Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival
Imperial Palace / Chidorigafuchi Cherry Blossom Festival - Photos & Tourist Information
Perfect Guide of Asakusa Sumida River Cherry Blossom Festival
Tokyo's Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Spot - Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens
A Guide to the Views of Cherry Blossoms & Zojoji Temple & Tokyo Tower
A Guide to Hamamatsucho - All About its Attractions, Hotels and Transportation - This post is partly about Kyu Shiba Rikyu Gardens just next to Hamamatsucho Station.
Tokyo's Cherry Blossom Spot - Yoyogi Park, Harajuku
Guides, Reviews & Facts of Meguro River Cherry Blossom Festival
Valentine's Day
World-famous chocolatiers' wonderful chocolates gather in Tokyo for St. Valentine's Day!
You can meet a lot of them in department stores and shopping centers. Visit Ginza, Tokyo Station, Shibuya or any other popular places to explore "Japanese" Valentine's Day!
2 Department Stores Recommended in Ginza to Get Chocolates for St. Valentine's Day
Winter Lighting
Winter Lighting starts in November lasts until February!
Top Places to View Winter Lighting in Tokyo
Odaiba
In Chrismas season, the beautiful Christmas tree becomes a great addition to the views of Tokyo Bay, Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower.
From November, 2018 (depending on the shopping center, building, hotel, etc.)
Shiodome
Shiodome is a very popular place in Tokyo for winter lights. It is a walking distance from Shimbashi and Hamamatsucho.
17:00 - 23:00, 15 November, 2018 - 14 February, 2019 in Caretta Shiodome
(18:00 - in January and February)
Blue Fantasy at Caretta Shiodome & Travel Planning Tips
Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower features warm lights and the living Chrismas tree.
Tokyo Tower Winter Fantasy - Orange Illumination: 16:00 - 23:00, 2 November, 2018 - 28 February, 2019
(12:00 - 23:00 from December)
See Report of Tokyo Tower Winter Fantasy 2016
Tokyo Station
The Christmas lights at the very central station of Tokyo are famous for being modern and artistic.
From November, 2018, - February, 2019 (Depending on the street, building, etc.)
Harajuku/Omotesando
The most fashionable street in Japan is lighted up in Christmas season.
Go to Harajuku Guide
Tokyo Marathon 2019 is being held on 3 March!
Many streets are closed for the race on the day. I advise you to check out the course map to avoid annoying situations.
Tokyo Marathon Official Website (English) http://www.marathon.tokyo/en/about/traffic/
4 Seasons in Tokyo
Explore 1 year in Tokyo on Event Calendar!
Autumn Leaves
Autumn Colors' peak is late November to early December in Tokyo.
Links to Blog: Autumn Colors in Tokyo City - Red Maple Leaves & Genuine Matcha in Rikugien Garden and more!
Blog & Social Media of Tokyo Direct Guide
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The Easiest Tokyo Maps by a Local
If you want a shortcut to understand Tokyo, or you are about to give up to plan a trip to Tokyo with throwing away a thick travel guidebook, or you are lost in the city at this moment (I hope not!), here are the simplest resolutions.
The Easiest JR Train Map of Tokyo - You'll understand the outline of Tokyo and airport transport with only 1 page!
The Easiest Subway Maps of Tokyo - You won't get lost anymore. Tourist attractions are all covered with these maps and instructions.
The Quickest Hotel Booking
If you don't want any explanations and just want to book a good hotel now, the following are the quickest way to reach.
A List of Worldwide Luxury Hotels: All the hotels on this list are convenient because of good airport transport.
A List of Cheap Hostels: Cheap hostels in Tokyo are listed with short comments about their locations to help some backpackers who have the image that it is hard to find accommodation in Tokyo.
A List of Hotels for Tokyo Disney Resort Visitors: If you are visiting Tokyo Disney Resort, it will make your trip much better to book a hotel with partnership with TDR.