Ask the Staff: Places to Visit in Spring

Spring in Japan is a season of new beginnings. Children start the school year, companies look for new hires, and cherry blossom trees come into full bloom—coloring cities and parks in a beautiful pastel pink.

As the chill of winter starts to ease and the days become longer, each of us at MUSUBI KILN reflects upon spring memories and destinations we might want to revisit. Here, we've asked a few members of our staff to share some personally memorable spots.

First up is Mototsugu-san, the founder of MUSUBI KILN.

“As spring nears, a spot I always want to revisit is Taiya, a restaurant serving tai-meshi (sea bream rice) in the port town of Mitsu. Mitsu is located in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, where I used to live for about 15 years.”

The restaurant, designated as a tangible cultural property, has a rustic charm.

Tai-meshi is a traditional Japanese dish in which sea bream is cooked with rice and flavored with seasonings like sake, dashi, and soy sauce. After it’s cooked, the sea bream is gently folded into the rice—offering an umami-packed mouthful in every bite.

“The sea bream spawning season runs from March to June. Sea bream caught around this time are very beautiful, adorned with a petal-like pattern reminiscent of blooming spring flowers. Because of this, it’s also known as sakura-dai (cherry blossom sea bream). In addition to being beautiful, the sea bream is extremely fatty.”

Ehime Prefecture faces the Seto Inland Sea, where currents are especially strong, making the flesh of the sea bream firm. Locally sourced fish and produce make the tai-meshi at Taiya especially delicious!

We were also recommended areas to explore! Getting to the restaurant a little early to enjoy the port or taking a stroll afterwards to visit Mitsu-Utsuwa (a handmade pottery shop) and its surrounding cafes are both great options.

Next, we asked one of our writers, Mina-san!

Mina-san reflects fondly on a spring outing with her husband.

“The picture above was taken four years ago at Kinuta Park, within the Setagaya Ward in western Tokyo. My husband and I went to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom. Despite Kinuta Park being close to our house, it’s hard to see any cherry trees from our window, and we had never gone in the spring.”

Kinuta Park is one of Tokyo’s green gems—spanning a whopping 96 acres. Within its grounds are a bird sanctuary, a suspension bridge, cycling courses, and more!

“We went there hoping to find a few cherry trees, but when we reached the center of the park, there were so many in bloom. It was such a nice surprise! There was also plenty of space to enjoy a relaxing picnic.”

The park has approximately 840 cherry trees, turning the grounds from green to pink during the blooming season. Though located in central Tokyo, the area is quite residential, filled with picnicking families and couples in the spring.

“We enjoyed watching the cherry blossoms and sky from under the cherry blossom trees as we munched on the baguette and cheese we had brought with us. Although four years have passed since, another cherry blossom viewing trip to Kinuta Park is at the top of my spring bucket list.

Then, we heard from Minyi-san, one of our writers with a deep love for seasonal travel! When asked about spring, Minyi-san’s eyes immediately lit up, as if the memory came rushing back all at once.

“The moment someone says ‘spring,’ I think of Hirosaki. Specifically, the night sakura at Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture. It’s the kind of sight that stays with you for the rest of your life.”

Hirosaki Park is home to approximately 2,600 cherry trees spanning 52 varieties, from the classic Somei Yoshino to weeping cherry blossoms and double-petaled yaezakura. During the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival, the entire park is illuminated after dark, transforming the grounds into something almost otherworldly.

“Under that deep, ink-blue night sky, the pink blossoms glow as if lit from within. It feels less like a park and more like stepping into a dream.”

What makes the scene truly unforgettable, Minyi-san says, is the reflection. The illuminated blossoms shimmer across the surface of the castle's surrounding moat, doubling the magic in perfect, mirror-like stillness.

“I kept standing there, not wanting to move. The petals above, the reflection below, it was hard to believe it was real.”

For those hoping to experience Hirosaki’s night sakura, the festival typically runs from late April to early May. Minyi-san’s advice? Go on a calm evening, when the water is still enough to catch every last blossom.

“Tokyo’s Nakameguro neighborhood is famous for its cherry blossom festival,” says Rebecca-san, a writer who spends as much time outdoors as possible every spring. “Last year, I thought I’d go see it for myself.”

Lining either side of the Meguro River are hundreds of cherry trees, branches reaching toward each other as if to hold hands across the water. White-and-pink-striped lanterns strung up between the trees are illuminated at night, gilding the delicate blossoms, reflecting off the river, and turning the whole scene into one straight out of a fantasy.

“I was totally in love with the sight of glowing pink clouds of delicate blossoms against the sturdy steel beams of the train tracks. Soft and hard complemented each other beautifully.”

Food carts line the street, peddling Japanese festival fare like yakisoba, takoyaki, and long potato—French fries almost a foot long. Seasonal beverages like the fizzy and tart sakura cider are also worth looking out for.

“It gets crowded, but in some ways that’s part of the charm. It’s a fun opportunity to people-watch! I enjoyed checking out everyone’s fashion and trying to guess which pairs were couples on dates.”

When you get tired of the crowds, try ducking into one of Nakameguro’s many cafes, restaurants, or boutiques to take a break.

“The Nakameguro neighborhood has this cool, upscale vibe that makes it perfect for wandering. I feel like I discover something new every time I explore.”

The area is easily accessible from central Tokyo via the Tokyu Toyoko Line and the Metro Hibiya Line. Why not give it a visit yourself?

Lastly, we asked our writer, editor, and history buff, Chiaki-san!

The Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum is an open-air museum in the western suburbs of Tokyo. It exhibits a range of historic buildings from Tokyo during the Edo period (1603–1868 CE).

“At the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, which I visited two years ago during the fall foliage season, you can enjoy various trees and flowers as well as old architecture. This includes nostalgic Japanese wooden structures and Japanese-Western architecture rarely seen in Tokyo today. It is a wonderful place to experience the atmosphere of the Edo period, now only introduced in movies and animations.”

The buildings were relocated or reconstructed in order to preserve a chapter of architectural history, which has been almost completely lost due to natural calamities.

“Even though there are no amusement park-like attractions, my children enjoyed the museum very much. There are restaurants and rest areas where you can eat and drink, allowing you to enjoy the museum for the entire day! I would like to go again to view the cherry blossoms when the weather gets warmer.”

The Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum is located in Tokyo’s Koganei Park, which has approximately 1,700 cherry trees. All tourist attractions are crowded during the cherry blossom season, but the museum runs on a ticket system that limits the number of visitors, enabling you to enjoy a crowd-free experience.