[Tokyo ]Popular early spring cherry blossom viewing spots in Chiyoda Ward, which stretches around the ruins of Edo Castle.

Chidorigafuchi, an important water source for Edo Castle

Chidorigafuchi was created by building two earthen bridges across the river called Tsubosawa-gawa. After its completion, Chidorigafuchi served not only as a defense for Edo Castle but also as an important water source. At the time Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Edo shogunate, Edo was a low marshy area facing the sea, and the well water contained a large amount of salt. Since the well water was not usable as drinking water, the nearby rivers were dammed up in order to secure drinking water. It is said that the moat at Chidorigafuchi passed between the Honmaru and Nishinomaru and flowed into Hibiya Inlet, where Hibiya Park is now maintained.

Cherry blossom tunnel about 700 meters long

The origin of the name "Chidorigafuchi" is thought to be the fact that many birds such as the metropolitan birds gather here in winter and the V-shaped moat resembles a staggered bird. 1881, cherry trees were planted in front of the British Embassy, and since then the number of cherry trees along the moat has increased one after another. Today, there is a row of around 260 cherry trees, including someiyoshino and oshima-zakura, lining the moat. In early spring, the 700 meter-long Chidorigafuchi Greenway is covered with light red blossoms, transforming it into a tunnel of cherry blossoms.

Cherry blossoms viewed from the water after rowing out in a boat

Besides strolling along the Chidorigafuchi greenway on foot, there is another attractive way to view cherry blossoms. You can take a boat out to the moat and watch the cherry blossoms rising from the water. Boat boarding is located northeast of the Chidorigafuchi War Cemetery. Swan boats, cycle boats, and rowboats are available. Many couples on hanami dates come here to enjoy the romantic atmosphere as they glide along the water under the cherry blossoms. However, the rowing boats get very crowded during hanami season. It is best to get to the boarding area early to allow for the wait time.

"Cherry Blossom Festival in Chiyoda "Shuttle buses running during the festival "Cherry Blossom Festival-go "

In addition, during the "Cherry Blossom Festival in Chiyoda ", the free Marunouchi Shuttle Bus "Cherry Blossom Festival-go "will be in special service. The Metropolitan Expressway Inner Circular Route, which is part of the course, crosses the moat at Chidorigafuchi. The sight of rows of cherry blossom trees spreading out from the windows of the buses on both sides is spectacular. It will be an oasis of rest and relaxation in the heart of Tokyo.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Ward-managed Chidorigafuchi Boat Park (Kuei Chidorigafuchi Botojo)
Address: 2 Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Phone number 03-3234-1948
Hours of operation: 10:00 to 17:00 (reception hours until 30 minutes before the close of business)
Closed Mondays (if Monday is a national holiday, the following weekday is closed; closed during cherry blossom viewing season) / Closed during winter (December to February)
Regular season: 500 yen for 30 minutes, 1,000 yen for 60 minutes / Cherry blossom viewing season: 800 yen for 30 minutes, 1,600 yen for 60 minutes
Access Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, Hanzomon Line, Toei Subway Shinjuku Line "Kudanshita Station "approx. 10 min. walk from Exit 2 / Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line "Hanzomon Station "approx. 10 min. walk from Exit 5

The oldest remains of Edo Castle at the entrance of Kitanomaru Park, the Tiananmon Gate

Kitanomaru Park is maintained to the east of Chidorigafuchi. The Tayasumon Gate appears to serve as the entrance to Kitanomaru Park. The gate that remains to this day was built in 1636 during the reign of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Edo Shogunate, and is the oldest surviving structure of the former Edo Castle.

The Kitanomaru Park site was the site where the Kitanomaru of Edo Castle was built during the Edo period. In the Meiji era (1868-1912), it was used as a barracks for the former Japanese Army, but after World War II, it was renovated into a forest park as a green space around the Imperial Palace. Grass plazas and ponds were developed, and satoyama trees such as mountain maples, zelkova trees, konara oak, and sawtooth oak were planted one after another, as well as fruit-bearing trees and flowering trees favored by wild birds. Then, in 1969, the garden was opened to the public to commemorate the Emperor Showa's 60th birthday. Around 330 cherry trees, both early and late bloomers such as Someiyoshino and Oshima-zakura, are planted here. The park is usually decorated with light red blossoms from late March to early April.

Around Kitanomaru Park are historical buildings such as the Sakuradamon Gate of Edo Castle, and cultural facilities such as the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, the Crafts Gallery, the Showa-kan, the National Archives of Japan, and the Science Museum. The Western-style building of the Crafts Gallery of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo is clad in early spring makeup with cherry blossoms.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Kitanomaru Park
Address: 1-1 Kitanomaru Park, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Phone number: 03-3211-7878
Access: Toei Shinjuku Line Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line "Kudanshita Station "5 min. walk
Tokyo Metro Tozai Line "Takebashi station "5 min. walk

Sotobori Park maintained between Iidabashi and Yotsuya Stations

Edo Castle, which was surrounded by many layers of moats, had an outer moat surrounding the inner moat, and between Iidabashi Station and Yotsuya Station on the JR Chuo and Sobu Lines, Ushigome Moat, Shinmitsuke Moat, and Ichigaya Moat remain. The east side of the moat is called Sotobori Park. A promenade is set up one step up from the roadway, so you can take a walk without worrying about cars.

About 240 cherry trees, including Someiyoshino and Yamazakura, line a 2-kilometer path. The total number of cherry trees on the other side of the river is estimated to be around 730. Visitors can view the cherry blossoms overhead and over the moat from different angles.

Cherry blossom viewing that can be enjoyed from the commuter train

The cherry blossoms in Sotobori Park can not only be appreciated while strolling along the promenade, but can also be seen from the train. The JR Chuo and Sobu lines run across the park. The train ride from Iidabashi Station to Yotsuya Station is a constant sight of cherry blossoms, and the four-minute ride is a great time to view the cherry blossoms. The four-minute ride will be a time to view the cherry blossoms, and the sight of cherry blossoms flowing through the windows will make your commute on the train more enjoyable. If you are a railroad fan, this is a spot you should not miss.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Sotobori Koen (outer moat park)
Address: Gobancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Access: JR Chuo and Sobu lines, Tokyo Metro Marunouchi and Namboku lines "5 min. walk from Yotsuya station "

Since the Edo period "Kanda Myojin has been revered as the head deity of Edo "

Kanda Myojin is a Shinto shrine located in Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. According to shrine legend, the origin of the shrine dates back to 730 of the Nara period (730-794), when Makandaomi, an Izumo descendant, enshrined Ohonamuchi no Mikoto as the ancestral deity. In the Warring States period, the shrine received generous protection from such renowned warlords as Dokan Ota and Ujitsuna Hojo. In the Edo period (1603-1867), the shrine served as the guardian of the front gate of Edo Castle and was built by the Tokugawa Shogunate. Since then, "it has come to be revered not only by the shogunate but also by the general populace of Edo as the guardian of Edo ". The "Kanda Festival "held every other year in mid-May is "one of the three major festivals in Edo ". It is sometimes referred to by another name "as Tenka Matsuri "because the floats (dashi) enter Edo Castle for the Shogun's inspection. Numerous cherry trees are planted in the grounds of the shrine and usually bloom from late March to early April, signaling the arrival of spring to visitors.

The Zuijinmon Gate was built at the main entrance of the shrine in 1975 in the hinoki and irimoya style to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Showa Emperor's accession to the throne. The bright vermilion Zuishimon Gate is surrounded by light red cherry blossoms from inside and outside in early spring.

The shrine, built in the Gongen-zukuri style in the center of the shrine grounds, is covered with a light red makeup in early spring. The shrine is surrounded by a number of shrines built within the precincts of the shrine, and cherry trees are planted alongside each of the shrines.

Adjacent Miyamoto Park is a quiet spot to enjoy hanami

Cherry blossoms cover it. This park is the birthplace of the tea ceremony "and the Edo Senke ". The founder, Kawakami Fuhaku, a tea master, built "Rengean "on the grounds of Kanda Myojin in 1755 and spread the Senke tea ceremony to the people of Edo. In addition, a café facing the park is located in the relocated and remodeled store and residence of the Endo family, who had been a lumber merchant since the Edo period. The park has a calm atmosphere and is rarely crowded with cherry blossom-viewing visitors, making it a quiet spot to enjoy cherry blossom viewing.

"Facility Information "
Facility Name Kanda Myojin
Address: 2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Phone number 03-3254-0753
Access JR Chuo and Sobu Lines "Ochanomizu Station "5 min. walk from Seibashi Exit