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TokyoTreat Japanese Snacks BlogSakura Picnic Party: Fun Ways to Enjoy this Spring!

Sakura Picnic Party: Fun Ways to Enjoy this Spring!

Thalia HarrisThalia Harris
Published Time
Posted on 
May 11, 2023
Modified Time
Updated last 
November 20, 2023
Two women enjoying a sakura picnic party at the park.

A picnic party is perfect during spring in Japan! It’s a beautiful time with bright colors, an exciting culture, and interesting customs. Every year, people worldwide come to see the cherry blossoms, which are called sakura! Come to the celebrations and feel the joy of spring in Japan!

Best Hanami Spots for the Ideal Picnic Party!

Springtime in Tokyo means one thing: cherry blossoms! It’s hanami season and Tokyo’s most beautiful spots await you to discover them. Here are the top five must-visit places to see the pink petals in all their glory.

First on the list is Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. With over 1,000 cherry trees, this garden is a popular spot for picnics and strolls under the blossoms. Next is Ueno Park, home to Japan’s oldest and most famous hanami festival, with over 1,000 cherry trees that light up at night for a magical atmosphere.

People walking among the Japanese cherry blossoms in a large crowd, looking for a place to have a picnic party.
Japan has plenty of spaces for you to enjoy hanami! Image via Shutterstock

If you want a more relaxed atmosphere, head to Inokashira Park in Kichijoji. Here, you can rent a boat and paddle around a pond surrounded by cherry trees. For a stunning view of Tokyo Tower, visit the Chidorigafuchi Moat, which has over 700 cherry trees lining the water.

Last but not least, make your way to Sumida Park, where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms along the Sumida River, take a boat ride, and enjoy local food stalls and traditional performances.

These five spots are just the tip of the cherry blossom iceberg in Tokyo. Wherever you go, you’ll be swept away by the beauty and magic of hanami season. So grab your blanket, camera, and friends, and be dazzled by Tokyo’s pink paradise while enjoying your picnic party!

Looking for fun snacks to hold you over for the next season? Check out TokyoTreat! TokyoTreat delivers the latest Japanese snacks, sweets, drinks, candy, and noodles straight from Japan to your door, so you can taste Tokyo without leaving your home!

Traditional and Modern Sakura Snacks!

In Tokyo, spring is all about cherry blossoms, but that’s not all that’s in bloom. There are also a lot of snacks and teas with cherry or cherry blossom flavors and designs that are great for hanami picnics or just eating on the go. Here are some of the best ones you should try!

Sakura shaped sweets, that look like pink flowers which have the same theme as sakura mochi. Purple background.
Cherry blossom snacks are usually quite traditional. Image via Shutterstock

First up is the famous sakura mochi, a traditional Japanese sweet made of sweet sticky rice wrapped in a cherry blossom leaf and filled with sweet red bean paste. During the hanami season, you have to try this mochi. You can find them in many shops and bakeries all over Tokyo.

Not to mention, you can also enjoy cherry snacks! There’s a cherry-flavored treat for everyone, from sakura matcha Kit Kats to sweet and sour sakura Cola candies. Cherry Blossom Pepsi is one of our favorites. It’s a limited-edition drink in a pretty pink bottle that tastes like fresh cherry blossoms.

A plate of sakura dango, which uses the cherry blossom in Japanese cuisine, commonly found at a picnic party.
Some sakura snacks use actual fruit for flavor! Image via Shutterstock

During cherry blossom season in Tokyo, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, whether you like traditional Japanese sweets or modern snacks with cherry flavors. So get a hanami food box, a sakura Pepsi, and a group of friends, and get ready to snack your way through spring in Tokyo!

What is some cherry blossom trivia I should know?

There is a lot of exciting cherry blossom trivia to know! For example, hanami picnics began in the 8th century. They were initially exclusive to the aristocracy, but now the general public also enjoyed them.

On top of that, Japan has more than 200 different kinds of cherry blossom trees, each with color and shape. Somei Yoshino, Yamazakura, and Shidarezakura are the most famous kinds.

Cherry blossoms in Japan next to Tokyo Skytree. They are perfect for enjoying a picnic party.
Cherry blossoms are used in food, decor, and even medicine! Image via Shutterstock

Did you also know that since the 1950s, the Japanese Meteorological Agency has been tracking when cherry trees bloom? This information is used to predict when the blossoms will bloom each year, which makes it easy for people to plan their hanami trips. 

Sakura flowers on black stones.
Cherry blossoms are very soothing. Image via Shutterstock

And if you want to try something different in the kitchen, you can eat cherry blossom petals. They can be used to make meals like sakura mochi and sakura tea. The petals are also used in bath and beauty items because they smell nice and help soothe the skin.

But that’s not the end of the fun! Yozakura, which means looking at cherry blossoms at night, is a favorite thing in Japan. During the blooming season, many parks and gardens are lit with unique lights that make the places feel magical. So, whether you like to see the cherry blossoms during the day or at night, you can’t deny that they are beautiful.

Fun Things to Do in April

April in Tokyo is a month-long party you will want to attend! So many exciting events will have you feeling all kinds of emotions. Ready for some heart-pumping action? Head to the Asakusa Yabusame festival for horseback archery that will leave you breathless.

Want to satisfy your pup’s obsession? The Wanwan Puppy Carnival has you covered with fashion shows, agility contests, and even a smooch session with your furry friend.

Puppies walking at the Wanwan Puppy Carnival, one of many April events in Tokyo.
“Wanwan” is “woof woof” in Japanese! Image via TimeOut

If you’re in the mood for unique shopping, the Tokyo Romantic Flea Market at Shibuya Garden Tower is your paradise for vintage finds, handmade crafts, and mouthwatering treats. And for those who can’t resist nature’s beauty, the Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival is a must-see, with over 3,000 blooming azalea plants that will take your breath away.

But wait, there’s more! The Nakisumo Festival features adorable (and loud!) crying babies competing in sumo wrestling at Sensoji Temple. And to top it all off, the Ichiyo Sakura Festival is the cherry on top of your Tokyo trip, with live music performances, tea ceremonies, and a magical sea of pink cherry blossoms in bloom.

A bunch of azaleas at the Nezu Shrine, one of many April events in Tokyo.
Bunkyo’s Nezu Shrine has beautiful azaleas! Image via Shutterstock

With all these events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re a culture buff, a dog lover, a shopaholic, or a nature enthusiast, Tokyo’s got you covered in April. So mark your calendars and prepare for the time of your life!

What is Golden Week?

Golden Week is a fun time in Japan that usually happens from the end of April to the beginning of May, right after the cherry blossom season. During this time, there are many fun things to do and events to attend.

The Koinobori Festival at Tokyo Tower is one of the most well-known. Hundreds of colored streamers in the shape of carp move in the wind. Each one is a wish for the health and happiness of a child.

Two people exchanging hanami dango which are cherry blossom flower snacks.
Cherry blossom snacks are easy to make and share with your loved ones! Image via Shutterstock

If you like to eat, don’t miss the Craft Gyoza Festival! Gyoza is a tasty Japanese dumpling that comes in many different flavors. The event has over 100 different kinds of gyoza from all over Japan. It’s a great chance to try some of your favorite flavors!

A lunch at Showa Memorial Park is another excellent way to spend Golden Week. The park is one of the biggest in Tokyo, and it has a beautiful lake and Japanese gardens, among other things. It’s a great place to unwind and enjoy the lovely spring weather while having a picnic party!

During Golden Week in Japan, there are many things to see and do. You’ll find something that fits your tastes, like cultural festivals, good food, or just spending time in nature. So next time these spring holidays roll around, join the fun!

How can I enjoy a picnic party in Japan?

During and after cherry blossom season, Tokyo has many fun things to do! It’s a must to enjoy the delicious tastes of sakura mochi and other snacks with a cherry blossom theme. Going to fun Tokyo events like the Koinobori Festival at Tokyo Tower and the Craft Gyoza Festival in April is another great way to learn about Japanese culture. 

Japanese cherry blossoms at Ueno Park. They are pink.
Ueno Park has some of the prettiest sakura trees in the city! Image via Shutterstock

Locals and tourists love to enjoy a peaceful hanami lunch in one of the many beautiful parks. Tokyo’s unique culture and traditions come through in these events, making them unforgettable. It has something for everyone, from the beauty of the cherry blossom trees to the exquisite food!

No matter how often you’ve been to this lively city, there’s always something new and exciting to discover. What events and activities would you like to do for a picnic party in Japan next spring? Let us know in the comments below!

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