Sakura at Oyokogawa-Shinsui Park

Beautiful cherry blossoms at a Tokyo riverside park

By Todd Wojnowski

Community writer

Cherry blossoms overhanging the Oyoko-gawa River

Examining the frailty of cherry blossoms

Beautiful park architecture tucked into a small space

In springtime, the blooming cherry blossoms turn Oyokogawa-Shinsui Koen into a stunningly beautiful place. The park runs alongside the Oyoko-gawa River in the Sumida Ward of Tokyo, and is a popular place for local residents who play, walk, fish, and even swim there. With the Tokyo Skytree looming nearby, cherry blossom season gives visitors a taste of Japan's dual natures: historic traditions side-by-side with ultra-modernity, natural beauty next to futuristic technology and architecture. Walk the entire length of the scenic park, or find a quiet bench to relax on - either way, it doesn't get much prettier than this.