As most overseas tourists are already aware, the peak bloom for Japan’s cherry blossoms typically falls in late March or early April for places like Tokyo. However, this timeframe applies primarily to the Somei Yoshino variety of cherry blossoms. What many visitors don’t realize is that Japan is home to numerous other cherry blossom varieties (and for the record — no, they are not plum blossoms, since I know someone out there is thinking it). So, on that note, today, we’ll be exploring one such subspecies: the Kawazu-zakura, a vibrant pink, early-blooming variety, and a shrine in Tokyo called Sakura Jingu, which is renowned for them.
Lately, thanks to Instagram travel creators like myself, Sakura Jingu has been gaining more attention. While this small shrine in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, isn’t globally famous just yet, it’s certainly far more popular than it used to be. Originally founded in 1882 by Yoshimura Masamochi, a distant descendant of the powerful Nakatomi clan, the shrine was initially dedicated to warding off sickness. Over time, however, it became recognized for its resilience, having withstood both the Great Kanto Earthquake and World War II. Because of this, Sakura Jingu is now revered as a protector against fire and natural disasters.
These days, Sakura Jingu is best known for its cherry blossoms. The modest shrine grounds are home to several Kawazu-zakura trees, allowing visitors to enjoy their early-blooming beauty without leaving the city. Since other, more well-known spots like Kawazu on the Izu Peninsula or Nishihirabatake Park in Matsuda can be a bit out of the way, having Sakura Jingu right in central Tokyo is a real blessing for travelers who don’t have the time to venture out to more iconic Kawazu-zakura viewing sites. Unlike many other locales, a trip over to Sakura Jingu will only take a few minutes on the train.
So, if you ever find yourself in Tokyo between mid-February and early March, you should definitely swing by Sakura Jingu and experience its breathtaking full bloom. It’s a great way to enjoy the splendor of spring before the main cherry blossom season starts at the end of March!
How to Get There
As noted, getting to Sakura Jingu is really easy. All you need to do is take the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line over to Sakura Shinmachi Station. Assuming that you’re coming from Shibuya, this should only take around ten minutes or so but refer to helpful sites like Jorudan to calculate departure times. As any other resident of Japan will attest, we use these services like our life depends on it to figure out the best way to get to where we are going from where we are.
Anyway, after arriving at Sakura-Shinmachi Station, know that Sakura Jingu is just a short walk away. I’ve left a Google Map for you embeded above, but you should have no trouble finding it once you exit the station. Honestly, you could just follow the flow of people — thanks to its rising popularity among Tokyoites in recent years, there’s likely to be a bit of a crowd when the Kawazu-zakura are in bloom, unless you visit during off-hours.
The Sakura Jingu Shrine Grounds
As far as popular Shinto shrines go, Sakura Jingu isn’t particularly large. In fact, if you didn’t know that the trees on its grounds were Kawazu-zakura, you’d be hard-pressed to recognize it as a spot of any major significance. All things considered, you really only need a few minutes to see everything. That said, when the Kawazu-zakura are in bloom, you’ll definitely want to take your time and soak in their vibrant hues — just be sure to give others a chance to snap their shots for the Gram too!
One particularly unique tradition at Sakura Jingu is its wish-making practice. Unlike most Shinto shrines, where visitors write their hopes and prayers on ema (wooden plaques), here, wishes are inscribed on delicate pink ribbons and tied to the Kawazu-zakura trees. You’ll find these trees flanking either side of the shrine’s main hall, where the deities are enshrined, creating a stunning visual of fluttering pink strips blending seamlessly with the magnificent cherry blossoms.
If you’d rather avoid the crowds that tend to gather at Sakura Jingu during the day, consider visiting after sundown instead. At night, the Kawazu-zakura are beautifully illuminated, transforming the shrine’s modest grounds into a scene of serene beauty. What’s more, an evening visit also gives you the chance to pray for a blessing from Sakura Jingu’s enshrined deities without having to wait in what can sometimes be an unexpectedly long line.
Other Nearby Attractions
Truth be told, this section isn’t really needed when you consider Sakura Jingu’s proximity to central Tokyo. I mean, the likes of Shibuya are only a scant few minutes away by train, so it’s not like you really need to plan to see something else while in the area. After visiting Sakura Jingu, the whole of Tokyo is your oyster to explore as you see fit. At the same time, though, there are some minor allures in the area that might warrant a visit, such as Komazawa Olympic Park, a sports facility that was constructed for the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Should the spirit strike you, you could also consider continuing to travel west afterward down to Futako-Tamagawa along the northeast riverbank of the Tamagawa. From there, the pristine natural environments of the Todoroki Ravine (pictured above) are also but a mere stone’s throw away. That said, unless you have an extended stay in Tokyo that would allow you to travel more slowly, you’re probably better off just heading back into the center of the city.
Until next time travelers…
