Japan: Chasing Cherry Blossoms in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Tokyo

Majority of my airline flights are booked way in advance. Let’s say 80% of the time wherein the travel is within 8 to 10 months from the booking date. I just couldn’t resist a good seat sale. However, planning a trip to Japan during the cherry blossoms season becomes a bit of a challenge due to the following factors: (1) The forecast of the cherry blossoms season varies per region (2) exorbitant price of airline flights and accommodations.

I started looking for airline flights to Tokyo or Osaka as early as January 2016. I wanted so badly to experience the cherry blossoms season in 2017. Not that I tried to make this dream a reality every year.

I even attended several travel expos in hope of finding a cheaper airfare. Unfortunately, there was no difference in the price. My last resort then was to experience the cherry blossoms season in another country such as South Korea.

Though I know in my heart it may not be the same as experiencing it in Japan. Then the weather forecast bureau in Japan started releasing their official forecast of the cherry blossoms.

The “travel gods” may have heard all my pleas and I was able to score a promo fare less than 2 months of the intended sakura season in Tokyo.

The cherry blossoms were not in full bloom yet when we visited Tokyo. We only stayed for 5 full days and that is considerable short if you want to experience the blooms in all its glory.

We started chasing our first cherry blossoms at the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden a vast park located in Shinjuku and Shibuya.

I just can’t imagine how this park will turn more beautiful  once all the trees bloomed. Cherry blossoms in white and pink are scattered all over the park.

According to the forecast, the flowers will open around last week of March and estimated best time of viewing was around first week of April. We went to the park April 1.

If there is one word that I can use to describe my first cherry blossoms experience – it was magical.