Meguro-gawa

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A cherry blossom-lined canal with pink blooms on every branch

TheMeguro River(Meguro-gawa) runs through several fashionable residential neighborhoods before reaching Tokyo Bay. Along the section between Naka-Meguro and Meguro, the banks are lined with cherry trees and, in spring, people gather on the paved promenades under the boughs for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties.

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Scenic view of Pink Sakura Trees along Meguro River in Springtime at Nakameguro, Tokyo, Japan
View of blooming cherry blossoms along the Meguro River in Tokyo, Japan. DoctorEgg/Getty Images

At Naka-Meguro, the river narrows to something more like a canal and the flowering trees form a tunnel of pink; it’s one of the more poetic (and photogenic) blossom-viewing spots in the city, though it gets very crowded. This stretch is also lined with fashionable cafes and boutiques, making it a popular destination year-round.

TOKYO, JAPAN - APRIL 4, 2017: Many people enjoy viewing cherry blossoms at Meguro River in Tokyo. Meguro River is the most famous place to enjoy viewing cherry blossoms which is a Japanese custom., License Type: media, Download Time: 2024-07-10T16:33:39.000Z, User: FergalCo, Editorial: true, purchase_order: 56530, job: Global Publishing WIP, client: Experience Tokyo 2, other: Fergal Condon
People viewing cherry blossoms along the Meguro River in Tokyo, Japan. Takashi Images/Shutterstock

Use Naka-Meguro Station, via the Hibiya Line from Ebisu or the Tōkyu Tōyoko Line from Shibuya. You can also walk here from Daikanyama or (uphill) from Ebisu.

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