Chidorigafuchi, the cherry tree alley in the moat of Edo Castle
The moat of the Tokyo Imperial Palace
Flick/ MilesDavidJohnClotrane
Hanami in the shadow of the Edo Castle
Chidorigafuchi is a charming alley located in the Chiyoda district. Along the moat of the old Edo castle, it is very popular with visitors who want to take a breath of fresh air in the heart of the Japanese capital. Especially in spring, when its 260 cherry trees bloom.
A place appreciated for its cherry blossoms
Built in the 17th century by the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, Edo Castle was the central element around which the city was organized.
Although only vestiges remain today, traces of its glorious past are still visible around the Imperial Palace that the site now houses. And in particular towards the gardens of the latter, where we find the Chidorigafuchi alley which runs along the old moat of the castle.
- Read also: Edo Castle
Chidorigafuchi Alley leads to a park
Wikimedia
With 260 cherry trees spread over 700 meters long, the alley is then very popular with Tokyoites when the good weather returns. Every year, several thousand people come to admire the petals that have just bloomed.
It must also be said that the setting is conducive to wonder, since the alley borders a small pond which gives a direct view of the buildings of the district.
Different ways to view flowers
Due to its geographical location, Chidorigafuchi offers several ways to contemplate the cherry blossoms:
- On one side, walks along the canal.
Exceptionally open to the public until 10 pm, the alley offers a bucolic spectacle to passers-by who take it. And day and night, the branches of cherry trees weeping over the pond are sure to have their little effect.
On the occasion of the hanami, it is possible to rent a boat from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. to admire the cherry trees for up-close at 500 yen ($4/3.50€ for 30 min). An original way to contemplate flowers, in serenity!
It is possible to rent a boat to admire the cherry trees
Flick/humbletree
Anyway, Chidorigafuchi is one of the must-see places to come and admire the cherry blossoms in Tokyo. And its location, between the gardens of the Imperial Palace and the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which are also home to pretty sakura trees, makes it the perfect place to go for a stroll on Sundays under a Tokyo in bloom.
- See also: The first cherry trees of Yasukuni Jinja
Chidorigafuchi alley is exceptionally open until 10 p.m. during hanami
Wikimedia
Address, timetable & access
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Address
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Timetable
A few minutes' walk from Kudanshita station (subway Hozomon, Tozai and Toei Shinjuku lines) -
Price
Boat rental: 500 yen for 30 minutes ($4/3.50€) -
Access
from the end of March to the beginning of April, from 9 am to 10 pm.
