The Bunkyo Cherry Blossom Festival, or Bunkyo Sakura Matsuri, is the first of the five major flower festivals celebrated in Bunkyo Ward. The event takes place along Harimazaka, a prominent slope in the Koishikawa neighborhood. The cherry trees lining this thoroughfare were initially planted in 1960 as part of a post-war urban greening initiative to restore nature to the district. Today, the site features approximately 120 cherry trees, predominantly of the Somei Yoshino variety, though several double-blossomed and weeping cherry trees are also present. The trees typically reach full bloom in late March, transforming the residential street into a major seasonal destination.
During the peak of the festival, usually over a designated weekend, the road is closed to vehicular traffic to facilitate pedestrian viewing. These closures allow for various community-led activities, including brass band processions, traditional musical performances, and events designed for children. Harimazaka is notable for its wide green median, which provides space for visitors to observe the blossoms away from the sidewalk. The festival serves as a primary example of Bunkyo Ward’s local efforts to preserve and celebrate seasonal flora within an urban environment. See here for a run-down of places to see the cherry blossoms in Tokyo.
