Yoyogi Park Cherry Blossoms in 2023

Photographing Yoyogi Park cherry blossoms 2023 offered unique challenges due to unpredictable weather. For optimal results, photographers should visit on weekdays to minimize crowds. Using a wide-angle lens, such as the Fujifilm 10-24mm, provides a distinct perspective of the blossoms and the blue sheet hanami culture found throughout this iconic Tokyo park.

Capturing the Yoyogi Park cherry blossoms in 2023 was a mission for my Japan photography efforts, as I’d never photographed them before. My biggest challenge? Atrocious weather. It’s hard to believe I only had two days of good, shootable weather that entire season.

I’d expected more opportunities for cherry blossom photography in 2023, but that year was an anomaly. Still, as any photographer knows, you learn to make the most of what you have. Fortunately, I managed to capture some excellent shots on one of those rare good days.

Midweek shooting and crowds

On that fortunate day, the famous Tokyo cherry blossoms in Yoyogi Park looked superb, with patches of blue sky peeking through the clouds. A bonus was visiting on a weekday.

The park was relatively uncrowded, largely due to it being a weekday. I observed a mix of foreign tour groups, a few kindergartens with their students, and people gathered on the ubiquitous blue sheets that famously dot Japanese parks during hanami season. For more details on the park itself, you can visit the official Yoyogi Park website.

Hanami culture: The blue sheet tradition

While these sheets are typically for group picnics, many on this particular day served as placeholders. Hanami’s immense popularity means reserving your spot is crucial. Groups often send one or more people ahead to lay down their blue sheets and wait. I even spoke to one group of three guys who had claimed a sprawling area, almost the size of a tiny house, for an astonishing eighty-five expected friends!

Using the Fujifilm 10-24mm lens

For these Yoyogi Park cherry blossoms, I only used the Fujifilm 10-24mm lens. It was my first time using it for cherry blossoms, and I was particularly happy with the unique perspective it offered from under or near the trees.

Was Yoyogi Park cherry blossoms 2023 worth it?

Although I wished for more time with the Yoyogi Park cherry blossoms, the looming rain prompted me to move on. Afterward, I also captured some photos at Meiji Shrine and enjoyed a longer session at Shinjuku Gyoen.

Despite my plans for Yoyogi Park cherry blossoms 2023, only two good days materialized, such is the life of a photographer. Here’s hoping for drier seasons in the future! If you want to learn more about this location, read [Beyond the Blossoms: A Photographer’s Guide to Yoyogi Park].

Photography gear for this shoot

• Camera body: Fujifilm X-T3
• Lens: Fujinon XF 10-24 mm F4 R OIS (V1)