A famous spot said to be the best cherry blossom spot in Japan...
Meguro River Cherry Blossoms is one of the most famous cherry blossom spots in Tokyo, along with Chidorigafuchi, Ueno Park, and Sumida River. It is now the most popular cherry blossom spot in the country, with about 800 cherry trees blooming along the 4-kilometer cherry blossom line along the Meguro River. If you look into the history of the Meguro River cherry blossoms, they are surprisingly shallow, and it seems that they were triggered by the bank construction work in the Showa era. The first trees were planted in 1927 by Saigo Tsunetoku, the grandson of Saigo Takamori, and others. Then, every time there was bank construction work, volunteers planted cherry trees, and it has become what it is today. For those who were born and raised in Meguro in the early Showa era, it seems that "the cherry blossoms in Meguro are recent." "In the early 1950s, it was unthinkable to have a cherry blossom viewing along the Meguro River," "factories lined the river, and the water of the river was not clean," and so on. After the redevelopment under the elevated railway progressed and stylish shops began to open in Nakameguro, the cherry blossoms along the Meguro River suddenly became a popular spot. Meguro River was originally narrow and shallow, but heavy rains would cause flooding and serious damage, so construction of the riverbanks has been ongoing. Work began in the early Taisho period to turn the river into a canal where boats could navigate, and the canal was completed in 1937. This work straightened out the meandering river to what it is today. Cherry trees were replanted in conjunction with the bank construction in 1941, 1961, and 1987. There are currently around 830 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees, but it is surprising that this began in 1927. Somei-Yoshino cherry trees have a lifespan of around 70 years, so the cherry trees along Meguro River are being gradually replanted, starting with the old trees that have weakened.
*All permissions have been obtained for filming.
Access: 〒153-0061 Nakameguro, Meguro Ward, Tokyo
(Click on the address to see the map)
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