Tokyo Cherry Blossom Spots ・ Yanaka Cemetery
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Peaceful and quiet, this famous Tokyo sakura spot is a must-see for history buffs and cherry blossom fans.
For many sightseers, a cemetery isn't on the top of their bucket list (if not only because it's a reminder that we're all going to kick the bucket someday), but this one should be. Yanaka Cemetery is very much worth the detour during the end of March and beginning of April! This sprawling cemetery on the edge of the Yanaka neighborhood of Tokyo – an area mostly known for its relaxed retro atmosphere and quaint shopping – is actually a fairly well-known spot for hanami each spring, particularly among those who spend time in the Yanesen area. Thanks to the dozens of cherry trees that spread their flower-filled canopies over the paths and the many stone gravestones, Yanaka Cemetery is known more for its scenic beauty than for any spooky ghost stories, and quiet crowds arrive each year to admire the flowers and stop by the gravestones of famous historical figures.
Yanaka Cemetery was established at the end of the 19th century, not long after the start of Japan's Meiji period, when the emperor (or at least his supporters) wrested power back from the samurai shoguns who had been ruling Japan for hundreds of years. Since Japan has historically leaned towards Buddhist ceremonies surrounding death and funerals, cemeteries are also mostly connected to Buddhist temples, and this one was once attached to the nearby Tennoji Temple (seen above), which still stands at one end of the cemetery. Though the land is now classified as a park, it was once the largest cemetery in all of Japan, and the grounds are still densely packed with thousands of gravestones, monuments, old temple structures, and miscellaneous historical spots like the empty pedestal that once provided a space for a bronze Buddha from Tennoji Temple. Narrow paths run in between the jumble, and it can sometimes be hard to scope out a respectful route between the headstones and monuments, but intrepid explorers can search out the graves of a number of important political figures and artists from the past century or two. Yanaka Cemetery is the resting place of Japan's final shogun before the start of the Meiji period, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, and also the novelist Ichiyo Higuchi, whose face can be seen on the current 5,000 yen bills. Another cemetery resident, Shibusawa Eiichi, is sometimes called "the father of Japanese capitalism," and will be featured on the new upcoming design for Japan's 10,000 yen bills.
Despite the very visible cemetery scenery found in every direction at the Yanaka Cemetery, it truly is a pleasant location for a cherry blossom outing, although there's not much space for a traditional hanami picnic. The main road at the center of the park-like area is bordered by long lines of tall cherry trees, which create a picturesque tunnel of cherry blossoms when in full bloom (the pictures in this article were taken a little too early in the season for the full effect), and the stone-paved paths among the graves provide peaceful routes for a quiet stroll. You might even see one of Yanaka's many stray cats daintily pawing their way through the graveyard, or looking for the perfect patch of sunlight to nap in. And after enjoying the flowers, Yanaka Cemetery is just a couple minutes on foot from Yanaka Ginza – a popular shopping spot with retro vibes and tasty street food! Perfect for a relaxing day in one of Tokyo's quieter neighborhoods.
Yanaka Cemetery (谷中霊園)
7-5-24 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo
Access: 2 min from Nippori Station
Official Website (jp)
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NAME:Yanaka Cemetery (谷中霊園)
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Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.
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Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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