Meguro Gajoen

Cherry blossom viewing with a cultural twist

By Victoria Simkovic

Community writer

Around this time of the year decorations involve lots of cherry blossoms. Not that I am complaining or anything, though...

The entrance looks impressive even from the outside.

A beautiful flower arrangement in the lobby.

The walls in the hallway are covered with beautiful paintings.

The inside is surprisingly spacious, with a few luxurious restaurants and banquet halls.

The restaurant tables are outside in the garden where the hotel has its own waterfall.

If you don't feel like eating at one of the gorgeous but pricey restaurants, why not have a break in a free-of-charge garden?

There are many beautiful decorations everywhere.

I couldn't decide which one is my favorite, as all of them are beautiful.

Then I was ready to go and see the ikebana exhibition. I made my way towards a beautiful elevator; however, ...

... as I exited the elevator, finding myself in the original part of the Gajoen building, a lady politely told me that I couldn't take pictures there. So this is the last picture I took... As you can see the ceilings are covered with beautiful ornaments, and to be honest, at this point I am much more impressed by the Gajoen itself than by the flower arrangements. Every room has its own concept, paintings and carvings on the walls everywhere. It really reminds me of the Spirited Away animation movie and the interior of the bathhouse there.

Cherry blossoms season is here, which means Meguro river has turned into a white, fairy-tale like tunnel of sakura (cherry blossoms). Now, Meguro river is lovely, but the best spot is the area around Nakameguro. The river is quite narrow there and the trees almost cover it completely. Especially in the evening the view is magical with the red lanterns. The perfect way to enjoy hanami (cherry blossom viewing) at Meguro river is to get off the train at Meguro Station and go down the slope to your left. You will pass a place called Meguro Gajoen, a very luxurious and cultural place, including Hyakudan Kaidan (a stairway of 100 steps), a cultural asset of Japan. As a Japanese culture lover, I think you should visit there at least once, and during the ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) exhibition it is particularly beautiful. The place is right next to the Meguro river; so after you are done with the cultural things, you are free to enjoy the cherry blossoms. Take a right at the river and keep going straight alongside the river. The Nakameguro area is about a 20-minute walk away from Meguro Gajoen.