Visiting Japan during the cherry blossom season is one of the most magical experiences out there, which is why so many tourists flock to the country when spring comes around. With an influx of tourists arrives the downside, crowded areas full of loudness and chaos.
Spring season in Japan is popular for a reason, but that means braving through tourist overpopulation that might make your cherry blossom experience more sour than sweet. So, let’s think – “where else can we enjoy the beauty of Sakura without the crowds?”
This is where rooftop gardens come in! In case you didn’t know, Japan has a lot of rooftop gardens where you can witness cherry blossoms bloom with stunning, crowd-free views. Here are the top rooftop garden spots you can visit in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka for that authentic hanami experience!
5 Favourite Rooftop Gardens in Tokyo
Tokyu Plaza Harajuku (Harakado) Rooftop
Tokyu Plaza Harajuku (Harakado) is a new shopping center recently opened in April 2024 that faces Tokyu Plaza Omotesando (Omokado), its older architectural counterpart. Harakado is known for its glass facades that showcase asymmetrical architecture with a rooftop garden which overlooks the streets of Harajuku.
Image Credit: Kanpai Japan
The rooftop garden of Harakado is connected to the plaza’s outdoor terrace that is formed of large steps going over several levels, from the 5th to the 7th floor. The trees and greenery of the rooftop garden are designed to create smaller, semi-private spaces for people who’d prefer a quieter experience while admiring the panoramic view of Omotesando’s skyline.
Location: Tokyu Plaza Harajuku (Harakado)
Osaka
Amidst the urban chaos of Tokyo is a hidden gem that hangs above the bustling city of Meguro. The Meguro Sky Garden is located on top of the Metropolitan Expressway and is known to house over 1,000 trees, including cherry blossoms and pines. A visit to the Meguro Sky Garden is the nature break that you need after experiencing Tokyo’s hustle and bustle.
Image Credit: Kanpai
The Meguro Sky Garden is known for its unique architecture that was built on a sloping roof with a 400-meters circumference circular shape that is located between 15 to 35 meters above the road. On a clear day, you can even see Mt. Fuji from here! The Meguro Sky Garden is perfect for visitors who want to witness the beauty of Tokyo without the chaos. It’ super close to the canal in Nakameguro as well!
Location: Meguro Sky Garden
Shibuya Parco Rooftop Park
Shibuya Parco has existed since 1973 but was rebuilt in 2019 to accommodate visitors better. The building has a variety of attractions, from cocktail bars to high fashion outlets to even Tokyo’s first Nintendo merchandise store! However, people tend to forget the hidden gem that is their rooftop garden.
Image Credit: Tokyo Night
If you need a breather from all the shopping, the Shibuya Parco Rooftop Park is also known as the “Spiral Park” because of its layout that connects to different levels; 10th, 8th and 4th. Since not a lot of people visit this area, it’s the perfect place to relax after a day out in Shibuya, especially during sakura season.
Location: Shibuya Parco Rooftop Park
Ginza Six Sky Garden
For families travelling to Tokyo with kids, a lot of parents have recommended the Sky Garden at Ginza Six in Ginza, as a safe garden for babies and toddlers. Ginza Six is a shopping complex with a variety of shops and restaurants but also has its own rooftop garden that serves as a resting space for families.
Image Credit: Kanpai Japan
The Ginza Six Sky Garden is a suspended garden on top of the building and is the largest terrace space in the district, covering 4,000 square meters worth of vegetal walls and dense greenery. The garden has benches and tables where families can sit down and eat under the cherry blossom trees, fully embracing the hanami experience.
Location: Ginza Six Rooftop Garden
Miyashita Park Shibuya
In Tokyo, finding natural green spaces is very difficult because of how urbanised the city is. That’s why the Miyashita Park was built to create a multifunctional space that boasts a green rooftop park that covers an area of 10,000 square meters. It’s a breath of fresh air!
Image Credit: Nacása & Partners Inc.
Miyashita Park contains a skatepark, a bouldering wall, and even a sand court to give visitors unique ways to enjoy the garden. The rooftop garden is only a few floors above the ground, offering a different perspective of the Shibuya Scramble Square nearby. Miyashita Park at night is also just as beautiful with lights that highlight its greenery.
Location: Miyashita Park
3 Favourite Rooftop Gardens in Kyoto
Gokugetsu Rooftop Garden
If you plan on staying in Kyoto for your Japan trip, we highly recommend that you book your accommodations at The Junei Hotel. Not only does this hotel offer traditional Japanese activities for tourists to experience, but it also has a rooftop garden that serves as a dedicated space for relaxing and appreciating nature.
Image Credit: The Junei Hotel
The Junei Hotel’s rooftop garden “Gokugetsu” is a private bamboo-enclosed area at the top of their hotel that has a view of the Higashiyama mountains. As you watch the sun set and the moon rise, enjoy the trees and flowers at the Gokugetsu. The Junei Hotel also offers free rental of an astronomical telescope so that you can truly bask in the moon and stars.
Location: THE JUNEI HOTEL Kyoto
Kyoto Yaoichi Honkan
The Kyoto Yaoichi Honkan is not your average building. It is a commercial complex built with the role of integrating both architecture and agriculture as an industry. As a project to promote the importance of farming and natural foods, the Kyoto Yaoichi Honkan comprises areas where vegetables, fruits, and processed products are sold.
Image Credit: Domus
One of the main features of the complex is their rooftop farm with a restaurant facing the farm. The rooftop layout is designed to utilise the depths of the eaves, sunlight, natural airflow, and well-water to farm and harvest the best produce. Visitors can watch the farmers do their magic on the farm and cultivate an appreciation of agriculture in Japan.
Location: Kyoto Yaoichi Honkan
The Westin Miyako Kyoto
Opened in 1890, The Westin Miyako Kyoto has been providing excellent service to patrons with luxurious suites, locally-inspired dishes, and access to nearby tourist attractions like the Heian Shrine. On the 7th floor of the hotel is their rooftop garden, surrounded by trees and foliage where you can experience the four seasons of Japan.
Image Credit: Sothys
This rooftop garden overlooks a beautiful view of the Kyoto cityscape, plus there are benches around the area that are suitable for the hanami experience. The Westin Miyako Kyoto also has another Japanese garden called “Kasuien” located on the same floor, designed to highlight natural bedrock and its white sand courtyard.
Location: The Westin Miyako Kyoto
4 Favourite Rooftop Gardens in Osaka
Namba Parks
Near Namba Station in the south of Osaka is a vast shopping center known for its innovative architecture of incorporating ecological design. Surrounding the complex are its green spaces that represent almost half of the center’s area. If you visit Namba Parks, you will encounter different kinds of greenery, with almost over 400 vegetal species!
Image Credit: Kanpai Japan
Serving as a nature’s oasis amidst Osaka’s dense urban streets, Namba Parks takes pride in its rooftop park that makes visitors feel as if they are actually standing on a mountaintop. Strolling through this park during Sakura season would definitely give you a memorable experience with its outdoor terraces and quiet pockets of greenery to dine or relax in.
Location: Namba Parks
Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden
Another popular landmark in Osaka is the Umeda Sky Building, consisting of two towers that rise tall at 173 meters. While most floors are occupied by offices, the commercial areas of the building have restaurants and shops for you to check out. However, the main interest of the Umeda Sky Building is their open-air observatory known as the “Floating Garden Observatory.”
Image Credit: Sandro Bisaro
The Floating Garden Observatory sits on the 39th floor, connecting both towers together like a bridge. It offers 360-degree panoramic views of the city where you can see the Sakura trees bloom from above. Take note that most of the building’s structure is made out of see-through glass, so prepare yourself for some serious heights!
Location: Umeda Sky Building
Abeno Harukas Roof Garden
Did you know that one of the tallest skyscrapers in Japan, the Abeno Harukas, has a beautiful rooftop garden? Located on the 16th floor, the Abeno Harukas Roof Garden is an excellent spot for visitors who want to enjoy the views of Osaka without the noisy crowds. It’s an urban oasis full of plants and greenery!
Image Credit: kosublog
The rooftop garden isn’t the only attraction the Abeno Harukas has to offer for visitors. Check out their Abeno Harukas Art Museum on the same floor or shop at the Abeno Harukas Kintetsu Department Store – the largest department store in Japan! You can always go back to the rooftop garden if you need a green space to sit down and relax.
Location: ABENO HARUKAS
Grand Front Osaka Rooftop Gardens
Osaka continues to give us hidden gems in the form of rooftop gardens, with one of them found in Grand Front Osaka. This large commercial complex is the epitome of modern urban living with a touch of nature. Grand Front Osaka has a strong emphasis on greenery, with several rooftop terrace gardens and trees planted along the perimeter of the complex.
Image Credit: Taka Yan
The rooftop gardens of Grand Front Osaka allow visitors to witness the skylines of Osaka in a comfortable area surrounded by trees and beautiful flora. Visiting the Grand Front Osaka during spring season will guarantee you cherry blossoms in bloom at the rooftop gardens!
Location: Grand Front Osaka
Hanami Tips for Rooftop Explorers
When cherry blossom season sweeps across Japan, crowds flock to parks and riversides, but rooftop gardens offer a serene and elevated alternative. Take note though – it’s still best to come prepared just in case other tourists find out these hidden gems too!
Image Credit: When in Tokyo
To make the most out of your rooftop garden experience, timing is everything. It’s best to go during weekdays to avoid the weekend crowd, or you can visit early morning or during the golden hour when these spaces are about to close.
Another tip is to pack light. Bring a light jacket just in case it gets cold, and make sure to have small snacks with you if allowed. Don’t forget to bring your camera or phone as well for those picture-perfect shots!
Take note if the rooftop garden you’re aiming to visit has any entrance fees. Some rooftops are open to the public and free to enter, while others may be linked to hotel stays so you need to book a room to enter them. It’s always best to check ahead.
Lastly, just like in any other space in Japan, etiquette is important. Keep noise to a minimum, be mindful of shared spaces, and respect any posted rules to ensure everyone enjoys the beauty of nature in the middle of Japan’s most bustling cities.
Experience the Beauty of Sakura from Above
There’s something truly special about viewing cherry blossoms in a more peaceful area like a rooftop garden. You get to truly see the Sakura flowers bloom up close without the craziness of tourist crowds. At the same time, you experience how Japan continues to find ways to promote the importance of nature even in urbanised areas.
Next time you’re in Japan during the spring season, take a detour from the usual parks and seek out a rooftop garden view. Let Jetpac help you find which rooftop garden suits your itinerary best with their Japan e-SIM, guaranteed to help you stay connected while you explore these rooftop gardens.
Join Our Newsletter
Sign up for the latest news & offers
