Shinjuku - Tokyo's Island of Trabquility

#cherryblossom2024 In April, Tokyo is enveloped in a cloud of delicate pink sakura petals, and places where you can admire flowers are scattered throughout the city. In the Shinjuku area, it is best to go to Shinjuku Geen Park, which is literally drowned in the foam of petals. Shinjuku Gyoen can be easily reached on foot from Shinjuku, Sendagaya or Shinjuku Gyoen Mae Stations. The closest exit from Shinjuku Station to the park is south-east. From there, you will have to walk no more than ten minutes. The hanami season is usually short and difficult to predict—but not in Shinjuku Gyoen. There are more than 65 species of sakura growing here, so the flowering period seems endless. The first sakura "kanzakura" (winter cherry) begins to bloom — in February. Then, in early April, "somei yoshino" blooms, followed by "baigo—ji juzukakezakura" (cherry from the Baigo-ji temple), and then, at the end of April— sakura "kanzan". There is no such fuss and pandemonium in Shinjuku Gyoen as in other parks. Smoking and alcohol are prohibited, and a small fee is charged for admission, so there is a quieter and more peaceful atmosphere here. The park is good throughout the flowering season, but if possible, it is better to choose the middle of April. Then you can see how sakura "somei yoshino" is already starting to release young green leaves, while everything around is covered with a solid carpet of pink petals.