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Chidorigafuchi

Chidorigafuchi, Chiyoda: Address, Phone Number, Chidorigafuchi Reviews: 4.5/5

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Chidorigafuchi

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Chidorigafuchi
4.5
1,202
#2 of 488 things to do in Chiyoda
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Yotsuya / Iidabashi
Yotsuya and Iidabashi are areas that developed around the outer moat of the Imperial palace. Nearby in Kagurazaka, there is an old red-light district with a photogenic feel evocative of the ambiance of old Tokyo. Narrow paths with stone paving remain to this day, and there are long-standing restaurants with geishas and quaint old cafes in townhouse buildings.
Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Chez Olivier
108
0.3 mi$$$$ • French • European
Factory
56
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bakeries
Tony Roma's
58
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Beer restaurants
Sakura Cafe Jimbocho
202
0.6 mi$ • Bar • Cafe • Diner
Indian Restaurant Mumbai Kudan
31
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Indian
Momose
19
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Japanese - Other
Horaiyahonten
14
0.2 mi
Gondora
17
0.2 mi
Yasukuni Shrine Gaien Kyukeijo
30
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Japanese - Other
Restaurant Sen
10
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • French
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Attractions
5,198 within 6 miles
Chiyoda Cherry Blossom Matsuri
57
0.1 miCultural Events
Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery
49
0.1 miHistoric Sites • Cemeteries
Istituto Italiano di Cultura
13
309 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Nabewari-zaka
2
235 ftHistoric Walking Areas
Senshu Bunko
10
0.1 miSpeciality Museums
Nippon Budokan
337
0.2 miTheaters • Arenas & Stadiums
Kitanomaru Park
256
0.2 miHistoric Sites • Parks
Statue of Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa
6
0.1 miMonuments & Statues
Takadoro
12
0.2 miHistoric Sites
Yasukuni Shrine
1,624
0.3 miHistoric Sites • Religious Sites
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,202 reviews
Excellent
664
Very good
440
Average
91
Poor
4
Terrible
3
Toru O
Setagaya, Japan1,703 contributions
Popular hanami spot
I came here to view the sakura with my friends in late March. Located near the Imperial Palace and Hanzomon station on the Tokyo Metro. There are cafes and restaurants lining the moat and would be a great dating spot for couples.
Written January 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Yobeekool
Tokyo, Japan24,091 contributions
Amazing tunnels of seamless cherry blossoms
I had read the Japanese reviews and I did not know what the fuss was all about. Passing this seemingly endless tunnel of Sakura trees one Spring on a midnight taxi was amazing. It touched me deeply and I asked the driver to stop the car. Walking under those trees, I almost wept for a while.
Foreign visitors, if you happen to be in Tokyo at the time of cherry blossoms, you should come here around midnight for an unforgettable view that you shall cherish for your lifetime.
Written May 29, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nikhil Ranade ロハン
Tokyo, Japan175 contributions
A Sakura (cherry blossoms) Walk
Couples
April is the season of cherry blossoms in Tokyo, and there are a number of spots for viewing the sakura (cherry blossoms) in their full bloom. Kudanshita (Chidori-ga-fuchi) is one of the best spots to go for a hanami (sakura viewing) walk around the moat.
When we went for sakura hanami (as it’s known in Japanese), there was a festival going on at the Indian Embassy located close to the sakura pathway. There are sakura trees lined up on the sides of the pathway, and many people like to come here for a walk as they can also enjoy sakura at the same time.
Unlike Tokyo’s Ueno Park or Asakusa, Kudanshita does not really have much space to sit down and have a ‘hanami party’, but Kudanshita’s sakura is definitely worth a visit if you don’t mind a little walk for 1-2 hours.
Yasukuni Shrine- one of Japan’s most famous and controversial shrines, is also quite close from here. The closest train station is Kudanshita on Hanzomon Line.
If you're in Tokyo around cherry blossom time, this spot is worth a visit.
Written August 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Richard E
Palm Springs, CA225 contributions
Sad experience......boat man pushed our boat down and not out into the water.
Friends
Expecting to spend a lovely day boating on the cherry blossomed moat, our trip was pure hell. Our boat man, obviously anti american/tourist, went after getting us into the boat, pushed down on the side of the boat, and not pushing out on the boat. Causing the three of us to tilt toward his push and tumble into the filthy 400 year old water.
They helped us out of the water, and that was it, no towel to dry off, no apology, nothing. Soaking wet, we were left on our own to struggle to get back to our hotel, no cab would take us, people were staring at us. Humiliating.
The worst part.....camera, telephones, clothes, shoes, bags, etc all ruined in the nasty water.It is taking a fight for them to acknowledge their responsibility in this incident. They want pictures of the clothes, pictures of us.......their people saw the whole thing. We have to prove what happened to us on their property. It has been an unpleasant expeirence to get any compensation from these people. They do not accept any responsiility, I would think twice before wasting money on this
Written April 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
hfot2 🌸🍁🌸
Vermont6,801 contributions
Stunningly beautiful sakura! Rent a boat! Arrive early!
Couples
The circuit around the moat can take a couple of hours, more if you stop for photos.

On the side opposite the boathouse there's a less visited area under large (as in HUGE) trees. From there you can get good views into the moat and of the trees on the side with main path.

Get there early in the morning before the crowds arrive. Especially at peak, the place is very crowded and pedestrian traffic is one way only. There are folks at various stalls selling souvenirs and giving out free booklets in Japanese, take one because there's a useful English insert and map.

The moat begins to fill up with boats rather early in the day and the line for boat rental gets longer and longer. This is a fun activity and offers a totally different perspective on the trees when you look up from below or row underneath overarching boughs; the main problem is people who haven’t a clue how to row getting too close to you and causing dangerous situations.

[Early one morning we saw, from the location across from the boat house, a bridal photo shoot in the moat with the couple in one boat and the photographers in another. Great photo ops for us.]

We visited the last day of March and the blossoms were just about perfect. We did half the circuit in one day and returned and did the whole circuit the next.
Written February 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pelepassion
Cochrane, Canada41 contributions
Amazing during Hanimai (Cherry Blossoms)
Couples
We really only went here for a boat ride under the blossoms but the day we arrived looking to rent one but were told it was too windy. This may have been a translation issue because I didn't see any wind (but there were no boats out either). We'd been traveling north through the country as the blossom wave swept Japan so we had already been seeing cherry blossoms for 2 weeks by this point but I was still so amazed to arrive at this location with hundreds of trees in full bloom along with the water feature. Breath taking truly. Probably my my memorable cherry bloom spot of the trip but some of that is timing as 3 days later this would have been nice but not as amazing ect.

One thing to note it was CROWDED... I know this is Tokyo but this was 5 people inside my personal space at any time crowded all along the path ways and as people stopped for pictures you were at a standstill. There is one iconic shot and there were literally 20 people deep snapping dslrs above their heads trying to get it. So other people agree at the awesomeness and keep that in mind.

We came back that night to see the illumination and again that was amazing (I prefer the day though) but it was nice to see both. The Indian consulate across the road was having a bended festival with cherry blossoms which was neat and we got some dinner there and listened to some Indian musicians while watching the crowds and lit up blossoms across the street.

One thing to note, we got off at the wrong station for this park and the Japanese people didn't seem to know the name of this area. Even when I showed them the Kanji form of "Chiforigafuchi" on my phone but they did know the area as water, boats and cherry blossoms so I'm not sure what the locals refer to this spot.
Written November 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hiloan
Honolulu, HI166 contributions
ICHIBAN #1 Hanami Cherry Blossom Site in Tokyo
Couples
Breathtaking & easily hands down the BEST SITE to see Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo. We made a list of the top 10 Cherry Blossom viewing sites in Tokyo. Also saw pictures before we embarked on our vacation to determine the value of our efforts. We got MORE than we expected here! Immediately upon exiting the top of the stairs at Tokyo Metro Tozai line-Kudanshita station...we gasped at the sheer beauty & loveliness of the Cherry Blossoms surrounding the moat of the Imperial Palace. The memories of that first glance will last a lifetime! It is the combination of the water, the cherry blossom trees lining both sides of the moat, the boaters enjoying a tender romantic experience as the rest of us envy them their private time, the hanami viewers young and old, holding hands...everyone drinking in the fresh air, walking along the sidewalk overlooking the moat. Its just wonderful! Make the time to go here....if you have time for only 1 place to view the Tokyo Cherry Blossoms!
Written April 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
aVilhoa
Madeira Islands, Portugal278 contributions
Beautiful during Sakura season, nothing special during other times.
Friends
Most of the photos depict this place during Hanami (Japanese cherry blossom viewing season) which usually is around end or March/beginning of April - actual dates vary every year.

While words cannot do the place justice during this time, it's also important to note that it's super busy: the rowing boats have people waiting in lines for hours and the park areas are covered in blue tarp as local office workers enjoy their drinking sessions. Regardless, definitely worth a visit during this time.

BUT, at other times? It's good for a stroll in the greenery, but nothing to write home about.
Written July 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
anothermrs
Houston, TX165 contributions
The winter is not the best time to see Chidorigafuchi
Couples
I can only imagine how beautiful the walk to the cemetery and the surrounding gardens would have been had the cherry trees been blossoming when we visited. However, we were in Tokyo in December, and so the long walk under hibernating trees was...just a long walk (I imagine had we visited with the cherry blossoms I would have rated it five stars, so take that into consideration). It's so strange to me now that I'm going back to write individual reviews that my reviews are so low--we had a wonderful time in Tokyo and I'm not sure the three star ratings reflect this. I think the reason many of my Chiyoda reviews are only average is that Tokyo, while a fabulous city, has not done much to make itself a capitol city that is appealing to tourists (talking strictly about the government offices, monuments, etc. and not about the rest of what Tokyo has to offer). When you are in Washington DC, everything is grand (contrasting to the modest size of Japanese monuments) and nearly everyone you see is obviously a tourist--Washington DC as has made the nation's capitol a city worth seeing strictly for the government sites--this is not the case for Tokyo if that makes more sense. My husband and I felt like the only tourists we saw all day. For example, once we arrived at the National Cemetery, we were literally the only two people there, tourists or not; granted we were there during the off season and not that this is a bad thing. If you're expecting the grandness of the US' war memorials (thinking Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans War Memorial Wall, Arlington National Cemetery), you will be disappointed by this cemetery--though it's important to reflect on what these differences might say about each nation, its unique values, how we are alike, how we are different. Though this memorial honors 3 MILLION lost souls, it is very small with only one small gazebo housing one symbolic coffin (that I believe contains remains of unidentified casualties). Very little is explained in English, which is fine but does limit one's understanding of the memorial if you don't bring your own guide book or do your own research prior to your visit. A very touching point here is that for 100 yen you can buy a flower (on the honor system) and lay it at the tomb. The restrooms are Japanese style.
Written January 24, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Andrea W
Toronto, Canada188 contributions
Cherry blossom dream come true
Couples
Chidorigafuchi was my favourite cherry blossom spot in Tokyo and among the top spots on my 23-day trip in Japan. Coming here fulfilled my cherry blossom dreams in Japan. It was like cherry blossom heaven.

GETTING THERE

The closest station is Kudanshita station. To get to the moat, keep walking along the sidewalk along the street after getting out of the station. You will get the well known view of this place before turning onto the trail.

BEST TIMING

Best time to come here is when cherry blossoms are in full bloom. We came here 3 times in late March and early April because we arrived in Tokyo a bit too early for full bloom. I recommend getting here early when cherry blossoms are at peak because it will be very crowded. The third time we came here at peak (April 6th), we had already left for Osaka, so the earliest we could get here was just before 10am. The 8-hour travel between Tokyo and Osaka that day was well worth it because of Chidorigafuchi (and Meguro River at night).

You can also google for a live cam to see the state of the cherry blossoms at Chidorigafuchi in order to go there at the right time.

BOAT RENTAL

I highly recommend the boat rental (it makes this place so much more special) and our best photos here were from the boat. It is hard to get good people photos along the trail, especially as a couple, when it's very crowded at full bloom.

Instead of taking our time walking through the trail, we decided to line up for the boat rental. I read online that the boat rental starts at 11am and it could be a 2 hour wait in the afternoon. By the time we got there at 10:15am on a Thursday, there was already a long line and the staff person said the line up would be 2.5 hours but it was actually about 1.5 hours, and well worth it. While my husband waited for the boat, I took photos along the trail.

We chose the 1-hour boat rental for 1600 yen. There is 30-min boat rental for 800 yen, but we needed 1 hour since we wanted to take nice photos. We actually went 20 minutes over our 1-hour rental time (partly because we had a hard time getting the boat into the line to return), but luckily they did not charge us overtime.

From the boat, the best place for photos and to enjoy the cherry blossoms is near the end of the moat where there are more cherry blossom branches hanging close to the water.

It is windier down in the moat, so make sure you're dressed appropriately. I read online that sometimes the boat rental is closed due to high winds.

If you have time, I would recommend strolling through the trail as well but we had already done that and wanted to get to other cherry blossom spots during our day in Tokyo.
Written May 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Chidorigafuchi
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