Nakameguro’s Cherry Blossom Views Are Now Blocked By Screens. Here’s Where To Go Instead (2026)

Everybody knows about the Tokyo cherry blossoms. It is one of the most iconic times to visit the country, and for good reason. When the sakura are in full bloom, the entire city transforms into something you genuinely cannot see anywhere else on the planet.

Unfortunately, this can also lead to massive crowds as people scramble for the best shots, making the experience difficult for locals and other tourists alike.

Cherry blossom season attracts tourists from all over the world, and the overcrowding at Tokyo’s most famous cherry blossom spots has gotten to the point that local authorities and businesses have started taking measures to try to control it.

This year, Nakameguro’s Meguro River became the latest example.

The bridge closest to Nakameguro Station, one of the most popular cherry blossom-viewing and photo spots along the Meguro River, now has large view-blocking screens spanning both sides.

At the very least, they’re pink, which is a nice touch, but the messages on them are clear: “No stopping” and “One-way.” The view that used to make this bridge one of the best photo spots in the area, the branches from opposite sides stretching toward each other over the water, is now behind a wall.

The local shopkeeper association made the call after years of crowds spilling off the narrow sidewalks and into the street, creating safety problems for residents and drivers who still need the bridge to get around.

Last year, roughly 2.3 million people visited Nakameguro during cherry blossom season, and with tourism continuing to increase in Japan, it is understandable that they felt the need to mitigate these crowds in some way.

What This Means for Visitors (And Where to Go Instead)

It does not mean you should give up on visiting Nakameguro. The river is still lined with over 800 trees along a roughly four-kilometer stretch, and the blossoms are still spectacular. What it means is that some of the most famous views from the main bridge near the station won’t be as easy to see as they used to be.

The practical move is to walk further down the river, away from the station. The crowds thin out significantly once you get a few minutes past the main bridge area, and the cherry blossoms along the quieter stretches are just as beautiful. Head toward Meguro Station or even further toward Ikejiri-Ohashi, and you will find sections of the river where you can actually stop and take it in.

In addition, there are a few cherry blossom spots near Nakameguro worth knowing about, and significantly less crowded.

• Rinshi no Mori Park is a short walk south of the Meguro River. Small, quiet, and mostly visited by locals walking dogs and families with kids on the playground. The cherry blossoms are beautiful, and you will actually have room to enjoy them.

• Saigoyama Park sits between Nakameguro and Daikanyama, close to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery. It is a hilly park with cherry trees, open lawns, and views from the top that stretch across the neighborhood. If you are already visiting the Roastery (which is itself worth a stop), Saigoyama is right there.

• Edogawa Park near Waseda (pictured) is a bit further away, but offers similar riverside cherry blossom viewing with a fraction of the crowds. Along the way, you will pass small bridges that make great photo spots, and if you keep walking, you will reach Higo-Hosokawa Garden, which is open to the public and free to enter.  Edogawabashi Station on the Yurakucho Line or Waseda Station on the Tozai Line will get you there.

The Bigger Picture

Tokyo has more cherry blossom spots than you could visit in a month, everything from the famous locations known across the globe to small neighborhood parks where local families spread out a tarp and eat bento. Check out our full breakdown of the best cherry blossom spots for 2026 here.

The curtains are a direct response to overtourism during cherry blossom season, and they are worth keeping in mind. Checking out lesser-known places often results in a better experience for both you and the locals. It is better for you, as a visitor, because you actually have space to enjoy the blossoms, and it is better for neighborhoods trying to keep their streets walkable.

Japanese cherry blossoms are an incredible experience. Every tourist should see them at some point, whether it’s a massive famous spot or a hidden local gem. Just be the kind of visitor that makes the locals glad you came.