Chidorigafuchi
About the Chidorigafuchi Camera
Chidorigafuchi is the moat along the northwest side of the Imperial Palace grounds in Chiyoda ward. The green walkway above it runs for several hundred metres between Kudanshita and Hanzomon, and the water below is one of the few places in central Tokyo where you can rent a rowing boat.
It is best known for cherry blossom. Around 260 trees line the moat, and because many of them lean out over the water the petals collect on the surface in a dense pink layer — the hanaikada, or flower raft, that draws photographers each spring.
The peak usually falls in late March or early April and lasts a matter of days. During the Chiyoda cherry blossom festival the walkway is lit in the evening and the crowds are heavy. Outside that window it is a calm, green stretch of water with office towers behind it.
Highlights & Nearby
- •Watch for: cherry blossom over the moat, rowing boats, petals collecting on the water in spring
- •Nearby: Imperial Palace, Yasukuni Shrine, Kitanomaru Park, Budokan
- •Note: blossom peaks in late March or early April and lasts only a few days
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Chidorigafuchi camera live?
Yes. Chidorigafuchi in Chiyoda ward, Tokyo streams live 24 hours a day.
What can I see on this camera?
The moat on the northwest side of the Imperial Palace, the cherry trees along it, rowing boats on the water and the seasonal colour of the walkway.
When is the best time to watch for cherry blossom?
Late March to early April in most years. The peak lasts only a few days, and petals then collect on the water in a layer known as hanaikada.
How many cherry trees are at Chidorigafuchi?
Around 260 line the moat. Many lean out over the water, which is why the fallen petals form such a dense surface layer.
