2025 appeared to be a challenging year for hanami at first, as the earlier blooming Kawazu-zakura（河津桜）variety was two weeks late, and it was snowing in most parts of Japan on 19 March. Fortunately, the temperature shot up to 20+ degrees Celsius on 22 March, hence the bloom timing ended up generally in line with usual years.
Below are the places in the Kanto region I visited this trip, in no particular order. My favorites would be 7 & 10. (Places around Mount Fuji will be covered in another post.)
1. Shimizu Park（清水公園）in Chiba prefecture（千葉県）
One of the three "Japan's top 100 cherry blossom spots" in Chiba prefecture, Shimizu Park has around 2000 Sakura trees. This place is huge, comprising a water park, temple, shrine, camping and barbeque area, etc. It reminds me of Takaoka Kojo Park（高岡城址公園）in Toyama prefecture（富山県）. The highlight is the 100-year-old tree in the temple grounds, as well as the rows of Somei Yoshino（染井吉野）trees along the roads, forming a tunnel.
2. Izumi Nature Park（泉自然公園）in Chiba prefecture（千葉県）
Also one of the three top 100 spots in Chiba prefecture, this place has 1500 Sakura trees of 20 varieties. The premise is quite big and there are also sections with other flowers.
3. Mobara Park（茂原公園）in Chiba prefecture（千葉県）
The remaining of the three top 100 spots in Chiba prefecture, Mobara Park is said to have 2000 trees (mostly Somei Yoshino), but the scale looks smaller. What makes it special is the red bridge and shrine in the middle of the pond. Personally I find the other two spots more impressive.
4. Kinugasayama Park（衣笠山公園）in Kanagawa prefecture（神奈川県）
In 1907, a monument was erected here and around 2000 cherry trees were planted to commemorate those who died in the war with Russia. The park is on top of a hill and along a hiking route. This place is highly inaccessible, considering that it is not near a train station and that there is no place for parking.
5. Mitsuike Park（三ッ池公園）in Kanagawa prefecture（神奈川県）
Also one of three top 100 spots in Kanagawa prefecture, Mitsuike Park has around 1000 Sakura trees of different variety. It reminds me of Inokashira Park（井の頭公園）in Tokyo, but with less people and tourists. The vibe here is peaceful and relaxing. Kanagawa prefecture has another top 100 spot called Odawara Castle Park（小田原城址公園）which I visited a few years ago.
6. Koganei Park（小金井公園）in Tokyo prefecture（東京都）
This is the only one out of the five top 100 spots in Tokyo that I did not visit previously as it is located in the outskirts of the prefecture. Koganei Park is the second largest park in Tokyo, with 1400 trees of 50 varieties. It is a pity that some parts of the grounds are cordoned off to prevent overcrowding.
7. Omiya Park（大宮公園）in Saitama prefecture（埼玉県）
Also one of the top 100 spots, Omiya Park is similar to Ueno Park, but much nicer as it is more spacious and less crowded/touristy. The 700 Somei Yoshino trees are large and dense, forming a pink sky/ceiling. Locals (and some tourists) enjoy having a picnic/hanami here, and there is no need to compete and reserve a spot thanks to the abundance of space. Many yatai (food stalls) line the park circumference.
Omiya Park is quite easily accessible from Tokyo, so I highly recommend coming here instead of Ueno Park for those who have half a day to spend.
8. Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi（熊谷桜堤）in Saitama prefecture（埼玉県）
This place is rather popular even with foreign tourists due to its proximity to Tokyo and to a train station. The highlight here is the yellow canola flowers beside the row of 500 Somei Yoshino trees over a stretch of around 2km. There are also some yatai at the other side of the narrow road. However, this place can get quite congested and it is not the best spot for those who are looking for a relaxing hanami experience.
9. Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine（川越氷川神社）in Saitama prefecture（埼玉県）
This shrine is popular for the hanami boat ride along the Shingashi river（新河岸川）at the back of the shrine. It is necessary to make reservations online in advance. This spot is popular with tourists due to its close proximity to the Kawagoe old town.
10. Seiunji Temple（清雲寺）in Saitama prefecture（埼玉県）
This place in Chichibu city（秩父市）of Saitama prefecture is not well-known and not one of the top 100 spots, but it is actually impressive and deserves a spot. Although there are only about slightly more than a dozen trees, they are mostly the weeping type, and the trees are huge and old (such as a 600-year-old Edohigan). It reminds me of the impressive Miharu Takizakura（三春滝桜）in Fukushima prefecture（福島県）, one of the "three great cherry trees of Japan".
11. Nagatoro（長瀞）in Saitama prefecture（埼玉県）
This area has a few rows of Sakura around the town, such as the one leading to the Hodosan shrine（宝登山神社）. The trees here (Somei Yoshino, Yaezakura) bloom slightly later than the other parts of the same prefecture. There are also other attractions such as Iwadatami Rocks, boat ride along the Arakawa river（荒川）, etc, making it a suitable day trip from Tokyo.
12. Sakurayama Park（桜山公園）in Gunma prefecture（群馬県）
This place on top of a mountain has 3000 Somei Yoshino trees and 7000 Winter Sakura trees, with a picturesque Japanese garden. A pity the flowers have yet to reach full bloom when I visited, but judging from the scale, views and vibe, it should be nicer than the similar Kinugasayama Park. Gunma prefecture has another more popular top 100 spot called Akagi Nanmen Senbonzakura（赤城南面千本桜）which I visited a few years ago.
For cherry blossom viewing spots around the Mount Fuji area, refer to the next post link.
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