Facing Gaien Higashi-dori, the 3,300 sq-m grounds of Nogi Park are full of green plants; the site was formerly the residence of General Nogi Maresuke, who fought in the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars and later committed suicide following the death of the Emperor Meiji. Nogi Maresuke loved sakura and the trees in the garden of the residence are most beautiful when they are in full bloom. The General is honored at the shrine on the premises and there are also old sakura trees.

Lunch time under sakura

Weeping cherry trees at the entrance to the shrine

Sakura in full bloom in the shrine precincts

Many famous people including Saito Mokichi, Okubo Toshimichi, Yoshida Shigeru, Shiga Naoya and Ozaki Koyo lie in Aoyama Cemetery. General Nogi and his wife are also buried there. Metropolitan Tokyo’s common cemetery was opened in 1874 and boasts about 500 Somei Yoshino cherry trees. The beautiful tunnels created by the blossoming cherry trees along the paths are visited by many people every year. Cars are permitted on the road that runs through the middle of the cemetery, so you can even enjoy hanami while driving. Please remember that this is a cemetery and mind your manners so as not to disturb the deceased.

People strolling under the cherry blossoms

You can hardly see the sky from under the trees in full bloom

Old cherry trees lining the road