My memory of my first visit to Inokashira-koen would be of Ghibli Museum and of getting lost inside this large park filled with beautiful autumn colours. Now that I’m living in Japan, I have actually been visiting the Kichijoji area every Sunday for church… And suddenly, the park is becoming our Sunday walking spot.

So of course today, while it’s still sakura season, we visited Inokashira-koen for a nice walk along the cherry blossom and nature. (PS: I didn’t bring my Oly camera so these iPhone photos aren’t as sharp as they should be.)

Sakura at Inokashira-koen in Kichijoji & Mitaka, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan

We walked from around the Kichijoji Station area towards the park, and already we saw so many people heading towards the same direction.

And there was this Domino’s guy walking towards the park too, which made me wonder if hanami plus pizza is a thing in Japan?! LOL.

Sakura at Inokashira-koen in Kichijoji & Mitaka, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan

Anyways, once you entered the park, this is what you’d find…

Sakura at Inokashira-koen in Kichijoji & Mitaka, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan Sakura at Inokashira-koen in Kichijoji & Mitaka, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan

My observations: (1) So many people picnicking under the cherry blossoms with the blue tarps and picnic wares a plenty! (2) The cherry blossoms really were a pretty sight, no matter how many times you’ve seen them!

Sakura at Inokashira-koen in Kichijoji & Mitaka, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan Sakura at Inokashira-koen in Kichijoji & Mitaka, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan

Apart from those sitting and lunching underneath the sakura, there were also plenty of people who – like us – were just wandering around the park and admiring the view. Why wouldn’t they?! What a gorgeous view of the sakura trees stooping close to the lake and the pretty pink petals dropping into the water…

Sakura at Inokashira-koen in Kichijoji & Mitaka, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan

The good thing about Inokashira-koen is the amount of signages around the place. The bad thing is… the reason they’d need signs is probably because so many people get lost in the park! But hey, really, it’s not a bad place to get lost in.

Sakura at Inokashira-koen in Kichijoji & Mitaka, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan Sakura at Inokashira-koen in Kichijoji & Mitaka, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan Sakura at Inokashira-koen in Kichijoji & Mitaka, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan

No matter which part of the park you’re in, you’ll find something that’ll pique your interest. So, even if you didn’t prepare your sushi bento and picnic rugs, I’m sure you’d still be able to enjoy yourself in Inokashira-koen. I know we did!

Sakura at Inokashira-koen in Kichijoji & Mitaka, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan

If you’re thinking of visiting Inokashira-koen for the sakura season, please do visit in the next day or two as most trees have now passed the full bloom stage.

Walking around the Inokashira-koen in early April and seeing the park through rose-coloured glasses (or is it pink-coloured sakura petals?!) is very therapeutic. If you’re keen to do hanami though, you might need to come early and be prepared!