Tokyo’s cherries have bloomed. Three days earlier than average, two days earlier than last year. This weekend turned warm all at once, no doubt.
A Japan Meteorological Agency staff member visited the “standard tree” at Yasukuni Shrine in Chiyoda-ku on the morning of the 23rd, the tree the agency uses for its judgment, confirmed “five or more blossoms open,” and made the official declaration. Newspapers and television had gathered; after the interviews, “Tokyo bloom declaration” ran on midday news and in evening papers.
A short walk around Palaceside Building showed buds well swollen, but many trees not yet fully out; the trees in front of Takebashi Station and along the moat looked like the photo above. The first half of this week will turn cold again, with many chilly days, but once they start they usually rush to full bloom. Yasukuni and the like are said to peak in about a week. Hanami should be liveliest from next weekend.
Timed to the season, the Chiyoda Cherry Festival, held every year around Chiyoda-ku’s blossom spots—Chidorigafuchi, Yasukuni Shrine, Kitanomaru Park and others—runs again this year for ten days, March 27 (Fri)–April 5 (Sun), with ceremonies and events at each site. For
visitors’ convenience the usual free shuttle “Sakura Festival” buses run Saturday and Sunday, March 28 and 29, 10:00–18:00, about every 15 minutes. As on the map at left, there are two courses: a loop Otemachi → Takebashi → Kudanshita → Jimbocho → Awajicho → Nihonbashi, and a circuit of Otemachi and Marunouchi, with a transfer in front of the Sankei Building in Otemachi.
Near Palaceside Building the usual temporary shuttle stop “Takebashi Mainichi Shimbun-mae” will open. This year the stop has moved to just before the ward road under the expressway behind the building (northwest) meets Uchibori-dori. It differs from last year’s spot slightly west of the main entrance (behind the taxi stand); please do not confuse them.
Palaceside Building sponsors the Chiyoda Cherry Festival and will open specially on March 29 and April 5, days it is normally closed on Sundays. Entrances including the west door will open and in-building escalators will run. Several restaurants and shops on the first floor and first basement plan to operate. Please stop by Palaceside Building.