Nineteen variations of Sakura
Color the garden for spring
March and April are when Sakura (cherry blossoms) decorate the Japanese Garden at Hotel New Otani Tokyo with its colors, hitting its prime every year usually towards the end of March to early April. From Japan’s iconic light-pink-hued ‘Somei-Yoshino’, to ‘Ukon-zakura’ that showcases its yellowish petals, to the deep pink ‘Princess Miyabi’ named in commemoration of Japan’s Crown Prince and Princess’ marriage, to ‘Youkihi’ named after the Chinese empress Yang Guifei who was touted as one of the four most beautiful women in ancient China, nineteen varieties of cherry trees beautifully cover the Japanese garden.
Every spring, the streets leading to the hotel entrance would be adorned with rows of Sakura blossoms. The hotel gardener was inspired to extend this trail into the Japanese garden, and over the course of several years, planted different varieties of cherry that bloomed in turn throughout spring. Starting off with just one weeping cherry tree by its waterfall, the Japanese garden is now blessed with approximately sixty cherry trees that welcome guests with stunning blossoms from late winter to the end of April.
The red weeping cherry tree in front of the Hō banquet room and the wild cherry tree by the scarlet-colored Taikobashi bridge are popular photo spots during the ‘Hanami’ season, a Japanese traditional custom of observing the beauty of flowers. Teppanyaki restaurant SEKISHIN-TEI located within the Japanese Garden and the GARDEN LOUNGE with its vast window view are recommended locations for dining and Sakura viewing.
Celebratory events and activities such as the Sakura Festival and tours of cherry blossom spots on a rickshaw are offered exclusively during this period. For strolls in nearby areas beyond the hotel, Shimizudani Park and Akasaka Sacas are recommended, as well as the Chidorigafuchi Promenade where rows of cherry blossom trees stunningly decorate both sides of the street.
Spring time brings nature’s colors to its full bloom and provides the world with unforgettable sights that cannot be seen anytime else of the year.
Cherry trees in the Japanese Garden
(in order of flowering, from first to last)
Jugatsu-zakura (October cherry tree), Kawazu-zakura, Ohkanzakura, Kanhizakura, Princess Miyabi, Youkou, Youkihi, Ichiyo, Somei-Yoshino, Mamezakura, Yamazakura, Gyoikou, Shizukanioi, weeping cherry tree, red weeping cherry tree, Keio-zakura, Yaezakura (white), Yaezakura (red), Ukon-zakura
- Voted 5th on TripAdvisor’s Top 20 Free Attractions in Japan
- The largest travel website in the world, TripAdvisor compiles its “best of” lists in accordance to reviews by travelers. Hotel New Otani Tokyo’s Japanese Garden was voted 5th on TripAdvisor’s “Top 20 Free Attractions in Japan”, as well as being featured on “TOKYO 100 - Tokyo’s Best 100 Spots to Boast to the World” compiled jointly between TripAdvisor and the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation (TOEI Transportation).
