By Japan BackpackersXpress
Experience the breathtaking beauty of spring in Japan through this stunning 4K HDR video filmed at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, one of Tokyo's most iconic urban oases. Captured over March 25-26, 2025, the video immerses viewers in a serene atmosphere filled with exceptional varieties of sakura in full bloom. As the cherry blossoms paint the garden in hues of pink and white, the film also shares a poignant sentiment: during times of conflict in Japan's past, people would promise to reunite beneath the cherry blossoms, symbolizing hope and continuity.
The video begins with a peaceful stroll under the Yoko Sakura (陽光), known for their vivid pink petals and strong early bloom. It continues with the Yokohama Hi-zakura (ヨコハマヒザクラ), an elegant hybrid cherry designed to thrive in urban climates, followed by the Takatō-kohigan Sakura (高遠小彼岸桜), famed for its gentle, pale-pink blooms that attract thousands annually to Takato Castle in Nagano.
Next, viewers witness the enchanting weeping cherry known as Shidare zakura (しだれ桜), which gracefully arches its branches downward in cascading pink blooms. This is followed by the rare Ōshima Sakura (大島桜), native to Izu Ōshima and loved for its bright white petals and pleasant fragrance. The Tokai Sakura (東海桜) adds another regional variant to the mix, and the video concludes with a unique hybrid cherry—an Amagi Yoshino crossed with Taiwan cherry (天城吉野×寒緋桜)—showcasing innovation in Japanese cherry breeding.
Shinjuku Gyoen, originally constructed as an imperial garden during the Edo period and now open to the public, is one of the best places in Tokyo to enjoy hanami (cherry blossom viewing). It blends Japanese traditional, English landscape, and French formal garden styles, providing the perfect backdrop to appreciate the diversity and fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms.
This video by Japan BackpackersXpress not only documents the blossoms but celebrates the emotional and cultural legacy of sakura in Japanese society, making it a must-watch for travelers, photographers, and flower enthusiasts alike.