Most in awe of cherry blossoms！ Mt. Fuji View Railway cherry blossoms | Day and night, Chidorigafuchi offers totally different views

Text / Provided by Qiudou Travel Network Photos / Provided by Xin’an Travel

Taking the Alishan Forest Railway to view cherry blossoms is not uncommon, but taking a Japanese train to do so—that’s truly impressive！ The historic Mt. Fuji View Railway carries passengers across iron bridges, weaving through mountains, offering views of nearby and distant peaks. And in the bright spring season, cherry blossoms line both sides to welcome you, making it a highly recommended spring journey for travelers～

If we were to assign a color to Japan’s spring, then the pink of cherry blossoms would be the best representation. Sitting inside the Mt. Fuji View Electric Train and gazing out the window, your eyes are filled with cherry blossom pink—spring’s hues laid out in full view. Add to that the fresh green of new leaves and the blue sky with white clouds, it’s like a picture-perfect spring scene, and you’re right there in the middle of it. Breathing in the air filled with the season’s atmosphere, your mood also brightens up. Travel should be just like this！

The Mt. Fuji View Electric Train is Japan’s only mountain railway. Starting from Hakone-Yumoto Station at an altitude of 108 meters, it takes about 40 minutes to reach Gora Station at 553 meters above sea level. Along the way, the train travels in reverse using a switchback route. Those who’ve ridden the Alishan Forest Railway will find this familiar—it’s how the train overcomes the steep gradient. As a result, the direction of travel reverses, and the driver and conductor switch seats. Don’t miss this fascinating scene when you ride！

Besides viewing cherry blossoms by train, have you tried doing so by rowboat? One of Tokyo’s famous cherry blossom spots—Chidorigafuchi—is actually one of the imperial palace’s moats. Around 800 Somei Yoshino and mountain cherry trees line both banks, becoming the center of attention in spring.

Couples often come here to row boats together, slowly gliding along the moat. Sometimes they share their thoughts, other times silence speaks louder than words. The cherry blossoms blooming along the riverbanks are like radiant smiles, playing a springtime melody for lovers. Chidorigafuchi truly has a unique romantic vibe in spring！ Snap a couple selfie with your phone and make it the most dazzling FB photo of this spring.

There’s a song: “The day doesn't understand the night's darkness.” If we apply that to Chidorigafuchi, we could say the day and night scenes are vastly different—and the beauty deepens as night falls！

Chidorigafuchi ranks among Japan’s top night cherry blossom viewing spots. When night falls and you admire the blossoms under illuminated lights or lanterns, the different colored lights cast a glow on the blooming flowers, making them seem to radiate their own light while reflecting a riot of colors. Viewing night cherry blossoms is a uniquely Japanese seasonal activity, allowing people to see the world differently. Each flower is a world, and the shifting of time and space showcases the delicacy of traditional Japanese culture—can you see it？

If you’re dreaming of the beautiful scene from Japanese dramas of having a picnic under cherry blossom trees, then Shinjuku Gyoen is the ultimate spot for cherry blossom viewing. Spanning across Tokyo’s Shinjuku and Shibuya wards, Shinjuku Gyoen was once the estate of the Naito family during the Edo period, off-limits to outsiders. Now, in spring, the stunning cherry blossoms that burst into bloom are no longer exclusive to the elite.

Even while in modern-day Tokyo, stepping into Shinjuku Gyoen instantly lets you feel the refined beauty of a traditional Japanese garden. The “Old Western-Style Rest House” is one of the few remaining wooden Western-style buildings from the Meiji era, adding a touch of exotic charm to the park. In the moment when cherry blossom petals drift past you, it’s as if a pink magic spell is cast, taking away all worries and noise—a dream come true for Japanese drama fans～

Spring is the season of cherry blossoms. How will you enjoy them this year？ By taking a train ride, rowing a boat, or simply sitting under the blossoms and waiting for the petals to fall？

More related information
Recommended itinerary: [Spring Romance. Tokyo Railway 5-Day Tour] featuring top cherry blossom spots: Shinjuku Gyoen, Chidorigafuchi, plus rides on the Mt. Fuji View Railway, Mt. Fuji View Slope Tram, and Mt. Fuji Ropeway.
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