KOGANEI SAKURA FESTIVAL

Overview

The Koganei Cherry Blossom Festival (Koganei Sakura Matsuri) is a flower-viewing celebration held annually in early April during the cherry blossom peak at Tokyo Metropolitan Koganei Park and along the Tamagawa Aqueduct in the "Scenic Beauty Koganei (Cherry Trees)" area in Koganei City, Tokyo. Famous as a cherry blossom destination since the Edo period, it has become a beloved springtime tradition of Tokyo's western suburbs, drawing crowds of residents and tourists alike.

History

The Koganei cherry tree avenue traces its origins to the mid-Edo period in 1737 (Genbun 2), when Kawasaki Heiemon planted approximately 2,000 mountain cherry trees along the embankment of the Tamagawa Aqueduct as a reinforcement project. Nurtured by the fertile Musashino soil and the clear waters of the Tamagawa Aqueduct, the cherry tree avenue became a famous Edo landmark depicted in ukiyo-e prints and was officially designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty as "Scenic Beauty Koganei (Cherry Trees)" in the late Meiji era. Although the number of trees declined significantly due to wartime felling during World War II and postwar urban development, new plantings have been carried out alongside the development of Koganei Park, and the festival has been revived and transmitted to the present day.

Highlights

Tokyo Metropolitan Koganei Park hosts approximately 1,700 cherry trees, with diverse varieties including Somei Yoshino, mountain cherry, and Satozakura coming into peak bloom in succession. The festival period features food stalls, dedicatory performances of local taiko drumming and traditional folk arts, flea markets, and family-friendly entertainment. The adjacent Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum offers the rare experience of viewing restored Meiji- and Taishō-period buildings amid the cherry blossoms.

Event Details and Access

The venue is Tokyo Metropolitan Koganei Park (1-13-1 Sekino-chō, Koganei City, Tokyo). Access is approximately 5 minutes by Kantō Bus from Musashi-Koganei Station on the JR Chūō Line. Park admission is free. The festival is held annually in early April to coincide with the cherry blossom peak.

Surrounding Attractions

The Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum within Koganei Park is a popular outdoor museum displaying relocated and restored historical buildings of Tokyo. Together with nearby attractions such as Kodaira Furusato Village in Kodaira City, Inokashira Park in Musashino City, and Ōkunitama Shrine in Fuchū City, the Musashino area offers a rich combination of natural beauty, historical sites, and traditional culture for combined sightseeing tours.

← Explore More Festivals