In spring, the beautiful cherry blossoms bloom in full glory, enveloping the whole city in a festive atmosphere. In Kyoto, you can enjoy cherry blossoms in a variety of places, including historic shrines and temples and beautiful gardens.

So, this time we will introduce 5 recommended cherry blossom viewing spots in Kyoto. In addition, we will also introduce surrounding tourist spots, so you can enjoy sightseeing and gourmet food unique to Kyoto along with the cherry blossoms.

Heian Shrine

Heian Shrine in Kyoto is a historic spot famous for its cherry blossoms. Built in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the transfer of the capital to Heian, the Shinen garden, a stroll-style pond garden designated as a national scenic spot, is home to around 300 cherry trees of 20 varieties in full bloom. Particularly popular is the weeping cherry tree, which also appears in Junichiro Tanizaki's novel "The Makioka Sisters." Its graceful appearance, blooming as if it were covering the sky, harmonizes with the vermilion-painted shrine building and the surface of the Seiho Pond, creating a fantastical landscape.

In spring, limited-time events for viewing cherry blossoms at night and cherry blossom tea ceremonies are held, allowing you to enjoy a different atmosphere than during the day. This is a famous spot where you can relax and enjoy the spring while experiencing the history and atmosphere unique to Kyoto.

Best time to see cherry blossoms

Late March to mid-April

location

97 Nishitennocho Okazaki, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Access methods

Take city bus route 5 or 100 from JR Kyoto Station (approximately 30 minutes), get off at "Okazaki Park Museum/Heian Jingu-mae" and walk for a short distance

About 10 minutes walk from Higashiyama Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line

Kiyomizu Temple

Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto is a popular spot known for the spectacular view from its stage, Kiyomizu-dera. In spring, the entire temple grounds are covered with about 1,000 cherry trees, including Somei-Yoshino, Yamazakura, and Weeping Cherry trees, all in full bloom. The cherry blossom view from the stage and the view of Kyoto's cityscape beyond the cherry blossoms are unique attractions.

During the "Special Nighttime Viewing" held at the peak of cherry blossom viewing, the illuminated cherry blossoms and main hall create a fantastic atmosphere. In particular, the main hall and stage viewed from "Okunoin" boast a mystical beauty, as if enveloped in cherry blossoms. The Niomon Gate and the three-story pagoda are also decorated with cherry blossoms, making this a representative cherry blossom viewing spot in Kyoto in spring, where you can enjoy different expressions during the day and at night.

Best time to see cherry blossoms

Late March to early April

location

Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Higashiyama Ward, Shimizu 1-294

Access methods

Take city bus route 100 or 206 from JR Kyoto Station, get off at the Gojozaka bus stop, and walk for about 10 minutes. Take city bus route 207 from Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, get off at the Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, and walk for about 10 minutes.

Daigoji Temple

Daigoji Temple in Kyoto is a famous cherry blossom spot known for hosting the grand "Daigo Hanami" event in his later years. The temple has been selected as one of the "100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan" and is also known as "Flower Daigo." Approximately 700 cherry trees, including weeping cherry, Yoshino cherry, wild cherry, and double cherry, adorn the grounds.

The cherry blossoms bloom in a variety of ways, from early to late, and you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing over a long period of time. The rows of cherry trees that line the main gate and the cherry blossom scenery around Reihokan and Sanboin are particularly popular. The scenery of the cherry blossoms interwoven with the national treasures of the five-story pagoda and Kondo is also a highlight. The "Toyotaiko Cherry Blossom Viewing Procession" is held every April, allowing you to fully enjoy the spring at Daigoji Temple, where history and nature come together in harmony.

Best time to see cherry blossoms

Late March to early April

location

22 Daigo Higashiojicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Access methods

From JR Kyoto Station, get off at Yamashina Station (approximately 5 minutes)

Transfer to the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line and take it for about 10 minutes. After getting off at Daigo Station, it is about a 10-minute walk

Togetsukyo Bridge

Arashiyama in Kyoto is famous as one of Japan's most famous cherry blossom viewing spots, and has been selected as one of the "100 Best Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Japan." In Arashiyama Park, which spreads out around Togetsukyo Bridge spanning the Katsura River, approximately 1,500 cherry trees announce the arrival of spring, painting the mountains and riverside in a pale pink. The view of the cherry blossoms seen from across Togetsukyo Bridge is particularly spectacular, and the scenery of the bridge and cherry blossoms is like something out of a painting.

At Nakanoshima Park, which spreads out at the foot of Togetsukyo Bridge, you can enjoy the picturesque scenery of cherry blossoms and bridges. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, many stalls line the streets, creating a festival atmosphere along with the lively spring atmosphere.

Best time to see cherry blossoms

Mid-March to mid-April

location

Kyoto City Ukyo Ward Saga Tenryu-ji Temple Munnobabacho

Access methods

Get off at JR Sagano Line "Saga-Arashiyama Station" and walk for about 15 minutes

Get off at "Arashiyama Station" on the Hankyu Arashiyama Line, then walk for about 5 minutes

A few minutes walk from Arashiyama Station on the Keifuku Electric Railway

Haratanien

Located in the northwest of Kyoto, Haradanien is a cherry blossom paradise known only to those in the know. Although it is a privately owned garden, it is open to the public in spring, and over 20 varieties of about 400 cherry trees bloom in the approximately 13,000m2 site. Particularly impressive is the magnificent cluster of weeping cherry trees, known as the "weeping cherry jungle." Many of the trees are red weeping cherry trees over 60 years old, and the scenery of the cherry trees in various shades is like a paradise.

In the garden, you can enjoy not only cherry blossoms but also azaleas and rhododendrons, and the gift shop sells hanami dango (rice dumplings) and amazake (sweet sake). You can relax on a bench and enjoy a leisurely hanami experience.

Best time to see cherry blossoms

Late March to mid-April

location

36 Haratani Inuimachi, Okitayama, Kita Ward, Kyoto City

Access methods

Take Kyoto City Bus M1 Line "Ritsumeikan University Front" and get off at "Haratani"

Other tourist destinations in Kyoto Prefecture

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto is a historic shrine known as the head shrine of the approximately 30,000 Inari shrines across the country, dating back to 711. Particularly famous is the Senbon Torii, a series of countless vermilion torii gates. The mystical tunnel-like sight continues to attract tourists from Japan and abroad. It has long been known as "Oinari-san," as it is believed to bring good fortune in business prosperity and household safety.

With the arrival of spring, visiting the shrine in the fresh air is a special experience. If you come early in the morning, you can leisurely walk around the Senbon Torii gates in a quiet atmosphere. You also can't miss the tower gate donated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the architectural beauty of the elegant main hall.

Nishiki Market

Located in the center of Kyoto, Nishiki Market is a lively shopping street with a history of about 400 years. It is familiar as "Kyoto's Kitchen" and is lined with about 130 stores. It is full of flavors unique to Kyoto, such as fresh Kyoto vegetables, pickles, rolled omelets, yuba, and sweets.

One of the attractions of Nishiki Market is that it has a wide variety of skewered delicacies, so you can enjoy eating as you walk around. You can casually enjoy Kyoto cuisine in between sightseeing. It is also a place associated with Edo period painter Ito Jakuchu, and his works are depicted on the shutter art in the shopping district. At Nishiki Market, where history and fine cuisine intersect, you can spend a moment fully enjoying the atmosphere and flavors of Kyoto.

Philosopher's Path

Kyoto's "Philosopher's Path" is a beautiful walking path that stretches for about 1.5 km from Ginkakuji Temple to Wakaoji Shrine along the Lake Biwa Canal. It was named after the philosopher Nishida Kitaro, who used to walk along the path while lost in thought. In spring, the cherry blossoms bloom in full bloom, and the sight of the tree-lined path along the river dyed pink is a spectacular sight.

This path allows visitors to enjoy the nature of the four seasons while listening to the murmuring of the quiet water, providing a peaceful time. There are also stylish cafes and general stores along the way, so you can enjoy a leisurely stroll. This is a walking path that is full of the atmosphere unique to Kyoto, where nature and history come together in harmony.

summary

Kyoto has many attractive spots where you can enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms. You can enjoy cherry blossoms in a variety of different landscapes, such as cherry blossoms decorating the grounds of historic shrines and temples, or cherry blossoms blooming in picturesque gardens. We recommend taking a leisurely stroll under the cherry blossoms during the day, and enjoying the fantastic scenery lit up at night.

You can also enjoy Kyoto's unique gourmet food and traditional culture at the surrounding tourist spots. Why not enjoy the charm of Kyoto to the fullest this spring along with the cherry blossoms?