Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo has announced the highly anticipated return of its signature nighttime cherry blossom illumination, Night Sakura Sea of Clouds, an event that draws thousands each spring. For 2026, the experience expands even further, introducing enhanced waterscape lighting that complements the beloved illuminated cherry blossom displays the hotel is known for.

This year, the soft pink glow featured in the Night Sakura Sea of Clouds production extends all the way to the hotaru-sawa, a serene stream famous for its summer fireflies. As the sea of clouds drifts gently across this area, the mist transforms into a delicate cherry blossom pink, creating a dreamlike effect that spreads over the landscape. The result is an ever-shifting, luminous garden scene. The hotel notes that “the shifting sea of clouds swaying in the breeze, together with the cherry-blossom-colored lighting, offers guests a renewed perspective on the many expressions of spring.”

The historic garden setting further elevates the experience. Originally crafted by Meiji-era statesman Aritomo Yamagata, the garden took inspiration from his hometown of Hagi City in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Its layout showcases essential elements of Japanese landscape design—meandering water features, natural slopes, and carefully composed light and shadow. Today, the illumination event continues this legacy by reimagining these classical aesthetics for modern visitors.

Guests staying at the hotel can also take advantage of its close proximity to the Kanda River, one of Tokyo’s most picturesque hanami spots, extending the seasonal cherry blossom experience beyond the property’s grounds.

With the introduction of new waterscape lighting, the 2026 edition brings an elevated interpretation of hanami after dark, offering guests a deeper appreciation of spring’s brief and beautiful bloom. The spring illumination will run from February 6 to April 12, 2026, and will be open to hotel guests as well as visitors to the hotel’s restaurants and shops.

About Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo

Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo stands among the capital’s most iconic luxury properties, with more than 70 years of hospitality excellence. The hotel features 265 guest rooms and suites, eight dining venues, an executive lounge, 38 meeting and banquet spaces, and a renowned wellness area that includes a Japanese onsen. Its award-winning garden is home to over 100 cherry trees, 1,000 camellias, and the celebrated Tokyo Sea of Clouds—a rare recreation of the natural phenomenon typically seen only in Japan’s mountains. The hotel is owned and operated by Fujita Kanko Inc., a leading tourism corporation headquartered in Tokyo.