Tis the season for pink flowers - Where to go?!

[ASmilie2B]

Now this may be a soft hearted thread for the forum, but one I'm sure other's will be sure to have an interest in.
As hanami season is now in full swing in kantou for it's short lifetime (that always seems to cause me stress for trying to make time on THAT weekend when they are best to be seen, when I should just take it easy and walk past a few)... nah! That wouldn't be as much fun as to find a great spot and invite a lot of friends for a bbq in the warm sun!

Thus I wanted to ask if anyone would share their best spots. I'd love to hear of any in our surrounding Tokyo. But I'm sure any other areas of Japan would make this a good thread.
For me this year my wife is 7 months pregnant and I don't think crowded Ueno is going to do her much good, so looking to hear anyone's advice on those "pockets" that are out there!!

[GuyJean]

..so looking to hear anyone's advice on those "pockets" that are out there!!

I've heard Kinuta Park is nice.. Never been there during sakura season though..

http://www.city.setagaya.tokyo.jp/topics/bunkoku/outline/guide003.html

GJ

[cstaylor]

Many of the parks in Yokohama have beautiful cherry trees. A little out of the way for Tokyo, but it beats the crowds.

Japanese golf courses have some of the most beautiful collections of cherry trees that I've seen in Japan.

[Mulboyne]

Aoyama Cemetry and Shinjuku Gyoen are deservedly popular spots which are less frantic than somewhere like Ueno. Both sides of Megurogawa across from Nakameguro station are also good.

[jingai]

I've heard good things about Washington, DC. Philadelphia also has a Japanese Tea House with lots of cherry trees.

[Greji]

One of the best little known spots (at least to the majority of FGs I would guess) in Tokyo is Chidorigafuchi, which is in Chiyoda-ku. It is diagonally across from the British Embassy and runs along the farside of the expressway clear to Yasukuni. Unfortunately, there is no spot to sit and tip a one-cup while one is contemplating the petals, but you can carry it with you as you walk through the course. They even had traffic cops there last night to keep the crowd moving.

Also, for those who would think of such a horrible thing, there is an over abundance of the other flowers of Japan and hunting is outstanding. Of course, I was only there because they walk dogs on the adjaecent road!

[kamome]

I'd recommend Komazawa Koen, which is chock full o' sakura, and the crowds are slightly less oppressive than Ueno. But I'm afraid your wife would have to do some walking through the park to get to a spot under the trees. It is very family friendly, though.