The optimal viewing period is typically from late March to early April, when the Someiyoshino cherry trees reach peak bloom. During this time, approximately 500 cherry trees create a stunning pink canopy along the 2-kilometer riverbank. The exact timing can vary slightly each year depending on weather conditions, but visitors can expect the most spectacular displays during the first two weeks of April.
The site is easily accessible via Kumagaya Station, located just a 5-minute walk from the cherry blossom area. From Tokyo, take the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line directly from Shinjuku Station to Kumagaya Station. Alternatively, you can use the JR Takasaki Line or the JR Jōetsu Shinkansen and Hokuriku Shinkansen high-speed lines. The station is 64.7 kilometers from Tokyo, making it an ideal day trip destination.
No admission fee is required to visit Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi. This is a public riverside park along the Arakawa River, allowing free access to all visitors. You can walk through the cherry blossom tunnel, enjoy picnics under the trees, and take photographs without any charge.
The annual Kumagaya Cherry Blossom Festival takes place from late March to early April, coinciding with peak bloom season. The festival features outdoor food stalls, special events, and hot air balloon rides on select days, weather permitting. These balloon rides offer a unique aerial perspective of the 2-kilometer cherry blossom tunnel and the surrounding Arakawa River landscape.
Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi is recognized as one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots by the Japan Cherry Blossom Association and has been a famous hanami destination for 400 years since the Edo period (1603-1868). The site offers multiple viewing experiences, including walking through the cherry blossom tunnel at ground level and viewing from the top of the riverbank. The combination of soft pink sakuras with bright yellow rape blossoms creates a stunning color contrast against the blue sky, making it one of Japan's most photographed spring landscapes.
