What's a Sakura Festival Like?
Meguro River
What’s a cherry blossom festival like?
Really, sakura blossoms don’t only show up on trees during springtime in Japan. They show up everywhere—on clothes, in food, and even in 7 Eleven stores. Cherry blossom season has been a popularly celebrated event for hundreds of years now, especially through outdoor festivals.
Meguro River in Tokyo is my favorite spot to see cherry blossoms in spring. With hundreds of sakura trees lining the sides, you’ll never be disappointed by the river’s beauty. Street vendors sell delicious food, warm sake helps fight off the chilly spring air, and pink glowing lanterns guide your way.
Festival Food
Food is a must for any festival. In my opinion, sakura viewings, or hanami, have the best food - but only because I’m obsessed with sakura flavor. You can find sakura ice cream, sakura mochi, sakura sake - sakura everything there. They also sell traditional festival meals like yakisoba, takoyaki, skewers, french fries, and more.
What food did we buy?
takoyaki - a classic festival staple
black sesame mochi - the most underrated flavor in the universe
sakura ice cream - big yum
gyro - this is actually common at some festivals!
amazake - creamy, thick, and warm sake
sparkling rosé - because pink
Be careful though.
If you go during a busy time of day, many people will be swarming the sides of the river, trying to take that perfect profile picture shot. Wait, you say you want to see ours? Why, we’re so happy you asked!
If you come down to Meguro River, you can take beautiful pics, too! Talk about a two-in-one deal.
The sakura blossoms are waiting for you!