Meguro River Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo Japan

The Meguro River meanders nearly 8 kilometers through several chic neighborhoods before emptying into Tokyo Bay. Generously landscaped walking paths along its banks and easy access to drinking and dining make it popular year-round.

Much of the Meguro Riverside area provides pleasant walking and a mellow atmosphere that marks a contrast to the capital's urban buzz. The stretch between Nakameguro and Gotanda Stations is renowned for its pretty greenery and easy access to the hip Nakameguro neighborhood with its many restaurants and bars.

Just beside the river, the Meguro Museum of Art focuses on modern Japanese artists and is worth checking out if you get caught in the rain. So is the quirky, squirmy Tokyo Parasite Museum just a couple blocks from the river. The gift shop alone is worth a look.

Further downstream at the edge of Tokyo Bay, Tennozu Isle offers galleries, chic cafes, and waterside dining, including at T.Y. Harbor, a popular brewery restaurant.

The Meguro River is also one of Tokyo's premier cherry blossom viewing spots. Over a kilometer of trees lining the paths on either side of the river in Nakameguro burst into bloom at the end of March and beginning of April, forming a corridor of flower clouds above the river.

When the sun goes down, the paper lanterns strung along the river come on during the Nakameguro Sakura Festival when bands of locals celebrate spring with feasting and drinking on blue tarps beneath the blossoms. Grab a beer from one of the street stalls and bask in the glow of Japan at its most laid back.

Wintertime has its own charm when a stretch of the river near Gotanda Station comes alive with an impressive holiday lights display.

When most people think of the Meguro River, they think of Nakameguro. And to be sure, that part of the river is always the most crowded. But the whole sakura-lined stretch is actually about 5km long, stretching from Gotanda to Meguro Sky Garden, almost as far as Ikejiri-Ōhashi Station. You can typically walk it in an hour (crowds notwithstanding).

If you just want the highlights, start at Meguro Station and walk to Nakameguro. The Meguro River stretches a long way, and that means there are several festivals held during its cherry blossom season — at different locations. If you’re looking for the illuminated blossoms at night, then the main 2024 Meguro River Light-up is from March 19 to 31, and runs from near Ikejiri-Ōhashi Station to just before Meguro Station. The food trucks start appearing a day later on March 20 at Meguro River Park.

This lines up pretty well with the Tokyo cherry blossom forecast, which predicts the sakura to start blooming on March 23 and to peak on March 30. (Note that peak time also means the most crowded time).

We recommend visiting on a weekday if you can, as it should be less crowded, but the path between Chitosebashi Bridge and Hinodebashi Bridge will still be one way.