Kyoto is arguably the most well-liked metropolis for sakura (桜) or cherry blossom viewing in Japan! Locals and vacationers alike flock to this former capital given the variety of lovely Kyoto cherry blossom spots which might be good, not solely as picture backdrops, but in addition as hanami spots.
TRIVIA: Hanami (花見) or “flower viewing” is an historical custom in Japan whereby locals take the time to benefit from the cherry blossoms or sakura timber. These days, the Japanese sometimes have fun it by having an outside social gathering or picnic beneath the timber throughout daytime or nighttime (referred to as yozakura or “evening sakura”).
In any case, the dreamy pink hue of this spring flower solely lasts for every week or two yearly, so it’s a fleeting but magical sight that you just should witness for at the least as soon as in your life!
Kyoto cherry blossom flowers normally begin blooming in late March and attain their full bloom in early April. To present you an concept of Japan’s sakura forecast, take a look at the map under for this yr:
So should you’re planning on together with Kyoto in your upcoming Japan itinerary this spring season, listed here are the very best locations to benefit from the cherry blossoms of their full glory!
Kyoto Cherry Blossom Spots
» Arashiyama (嵐山)
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Together with the district of Arashiyama in your Kyoto cherry blossom viewing checklist is a MUST! It holds various points of interest not restricted to the well-known Bamboo Grove Forest — and naturally, throughout sakura season, you’ll be greeted by a townscape that’s splendidly draped in pink proper from the second that you just step out of the practice station!
Stroll a bit additional and also you’ll witness the lengthy Tegetsukyo Bridge that will probably be backdropped by a picturesque mountain speckled with a mix of fairly pink and inexperienced hues.
If you wish to go to an space that’s crammed with extra sakura timber, think about going to Nakanoshima Park in addition to the Tenryuji Temple — a UNESCO World Heritage Website that’s well-known for its scenic backyard that can maintain about 200 cherry timber in its lovely panorama!
NOTE: Think about using the Sagano Romantic Practice to Kameoka from Arashiyama. This well-known scenic practice journey will take you thru numerous panoramic sceneries in addition to by a “tunnel” of cherry blossoms!
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» Daigoji (醍醐寺)
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Daigoji Temple is one other UNESCO World Heritage Website and a well-known Kyoto cherry blossom spot because the Heian interval.
Fact be advised, this was the placement the place Toyotomi Hideyoshi (a Japanese samurai and daimyo/lord) held a grand hanami social gathering by planting over 700 cherry blossom timber! As we speak, guests can take pleasure in nearly 1,000 cherry blossom timber that sweep by the temple grounds and as much as the adjoining mountain.
Among the sakura varieties that you would be able to take pleasure in listed here are the enduring somei yoshino (the weeping cherry blossom) and the yamazakura (wild mountain cherry blossom). In case you time your go to effectively, you may even witness a parade that commemorates the cherry social gathering held by Hideyoshi (referred to as “Ho-Taiko Hanami Gyoretsu”) and it’s held on the 2nd Sunday of April yearly.
- ADMISSION FEE: ¥1500 (from March 20 to Could 15 and from October 15 to December 10) and ¥800 (throughout the remainder of the yr)
- NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) 11-minute stroll from Daigo Station
Lease a kimono to reinforce your expertise!
For a hassle-free expertise, hire a kimono in Kyoto by reserving right here.
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» Haradani-en Backyard
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Positioned on the northwest space of Kyoto, that is arguably a secret Kyoto cherry blossom spot that’s recognized solely by the locals!
In Haradani-en, friends can take pleasure in late-flowering weeping cherry blossom timber which might be scattered across the 13,000sqm non-public backyard. Additionally, you will discover a wide range of different spring flowers particularly azaleas, rhododendron, and dogwood.
- ADMISSION FEE: ¥1,200 and ¥1,500 (on weekends and public holidays)
- NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) Kitaoji Station — however there may be additionally a free shuttle bus that runs from Shikichi-Jinja Shrine throughout cherry blossom season solely
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» Heian Shrine (平安神宮)
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Heian Shrine is among the hottest spots for Kyoto cherry blossom viewing — particularly that of the weeping cherry tree variant — in any case, they bloom later than most cherry timber, normally round mid-April!
You’ll discover a cover of those timber of their 30,000sqm paid backyard, with the very best spot being that within the east the place you may see the timber being mirrored within the Seiho Lake.
TRIVIA: The shrine was constructed throughout the 1,a centesimal anniversary of Kyoto’s basis as a capital, and it pays homage to the spirits of the primary and final emperors of town.
- ADMISSION FEE: FREE to enter the shrine, ¥600 to enter the backyard
- NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) 7-minute stroll from Higashiyama Station
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» Hirano Shrine (平野神社)
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Ever because the yr 985 (Edo Interval) throughout the reign of Emperor Kazan, this temple has held a cherry blossom pageant — and this custom continues right this moment!
Due to this, Hirano Shrine has turn into one of the crucial fashionable Kyoto cherry blossom viewing spots whereby numerous locals go to to spend hanami (particularly college students, given the shut proximity of Ritsumeikan College). In the meantime, the precise pageant is held on the 2nd Sunday of April and it begins on the mausoleum and ends with a procession within the afternoon.
TIP: For a hassle-free expertise, you may ebook a guided Hirano Shrine tour.
As for its cherry timber that quantity a whole lot, you’ll love the wonderful selection that spans from the early-blooming sakigake in late March, to the late-blooming ones that final till the center of April. In fact, except for admiring the majestic great thing about the cherry blossoms, guests may take pleasure in exploring different distinctive spots on the shrine. A sakura illumination can be witnessed between late March and mid-April.
- NEAREST STOP: (Use Google Maps) 2-minute stroll from Kinugasako Mae bus cease
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» Kamigamo Shrine (上賀茂神社)
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The Kamigamo Shrine is definitely part of the well-known Kamo Shrines duo (the opposite one being Shimogamo Shrine) and they’re each thought to be UNESCO World Heritage Websites. Fact be advised, they’re the oldest in addition to crucial of all of the shrines in Kyoto!
However Kamigamo Shrine particularly is famed for its weeping cherries or shidare-zakura which might be referred to as Saio Zakura and Gosho Zakura. The previous has flower petals which might be extra strongly hued (with the title referring to a shrine maiden), whereas the latter is about 170 years previous (‘gosho’ that means emperor)!
Other than this, the entire of the shrine space is speckled with different cherry timber, in addition to alongside the lengthy sando path that results in the torii entrance gate.
- NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) 13-minute stroll from Saga-Arashiyama Station (JR Sagano Line/San’in Primary Line)
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» Keage Incline
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The Keage Incline is a 582-meter lengthy slope with unused railroad tracks and it’s cherished by the locals particularly within the spring when the encircling 90 cherry timber begin to bloom and type a tunnel-like cover.
TIP: For a hassle-free expertise, you may ebook a guided sakura tour that features this spot.
The railway monitor used to function a water transport of Lake Biwa Canal between Otsu and Kyoto; however right this moment, it has turn into extra of a strolling path. In 1996, it was even designated as a Nationwide Historic Website!
- NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) 3-minute stroll from Keage Station
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» Kiyomizudera (清水寺)
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It’s onerous to overlook Kiyomizudera as a result of it is among the high sights to see whenever you’re in Kyoto. Translated to ‘Pure Water Temple’, the temple’s title is derived from the Otowa Waterfall through which it has been constructed. It additionally holds numerous significance in historical past, so it isn’t solely a part of the Historic Monuments of Historic Kyoto but in addition of the UNESCO World Heritage Websites.
TIP: For a hassle-free expertise, you may ebook a guided Kiyomizudera tour.
Come spring season, Kiyomizudera’s environment turn into a beautiful shade of pink because the cherry timber body its giant balcony. In case you enterprise additional close to the exit of the temple, you’ll discover a bigger focus of sakura timber (at evening, these timber are additionally illuminated from 6PM to 9PM).
- NEAREST STOP: (Use Google Maps) 10-minute stroll from Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi bus cease
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» Kōdai-ji Temple (高台寺)
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Kodaiji is a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect and what you would possibly discover attention-grabbing right here is its Hashintei — a big Japanese backyard that portrays Zen ideology. Considered one of its options is a rock backyard (karesansui) that’s made out of raked gravel representing the huge ocean.
TIP: For a hassle-free expertise, you may ebook a guided sakura tour that features this spot.
In spring, guests come right here to get a glimpse of the shidare-zakura weeping cherry tree that blooms over the aforementioned rock backyard, and should you keep after 5PM, you’ll get to witness the spring illumination arrange inside the premises.
- NEAREST STOP: (Use Google Maps) 5-minute stroll from Higashiyama Yasui bus cease
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» Kyoto Botanical Gardens (京都府立植物園)
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Kyoto Botanical Backyard is the oldest botanical backyard in Japan and it’s dwelling to over 500 cherry blossom timber! From these, there’s a massive forest filled with them and it may be discovered within the northern a part of the conservatory — in addition to a towering weeping cherry tree within the heart of the backyard.
TIP: For a hassle-free expertise, you may ebook a guided tour.
To present guests an opportunity to take pleasure in these blooms even additional, the backyard stays open till 9PM from the tip of March to early April as colourful illuminating lights are arrange beneath each tree. (Whilst you’re already contained in the 240,000sqm backyard, don’t neglect to take a look at the opposite areas to benefit from your keep!)
- ADMISSION FEE: ¥200 for adults, ¥150 for top colleges college students and free for kids and senior residents
- NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) 2-minute stroll from Kitayama Station
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» Kyoto Gyoen Nationwide Backyard
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That is known as a “Nationwide Backyard” of Japan in addition to the “Central Park of Kyoto”, and it’s discovered across the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Sento Gosho.
Entrance to the Kyoto Gyoen Nationwide Backyard is free and you may admire over a thousand spectacular cherry timber, a few of that are the weeping or shidare-zakura variety. In truth, this space doesn’t get too many crowds like the opposite extra well-known Kyoto cherry blossom spots, so you may basically have some areas all to your self!
- NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) 5-minute stroll from Marutamachi Station
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» Maruyama Park (円山公園)
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Maruyama Park is the oldest public park within the metropolis, and as soon as spring arrives, it’s the most well-liked and most crowded Kyoto cherry blossom viewing spot — and for good motive!
In any case, there are over 700 cherry timber sprawled throughout the expanse and the middle of attraction is a big shidare-zakura that will get lit up at evening. Referred to as the “Evening Cherry Blossoms of Gion”, that is truly thought to be the park’s image and it’s over 80 years previous.
TIP: For a hassle-free expertise, you may ebook a guided sakura tour that features this spot.
To additional improve the expertise, numerous meals stalls are sometimes arrange across the park with ample seating mats and tables.
- NEAREST STOP: (Use Google Maps) 5-minute stroll from Gion bus cease
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» Nanatani-gawa River (Yawaragi Street)
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In order for you an off-the-beaten-path vacation spot for Kyoto cherry blossom viewing, it is best to head over to the close by Kameoka Metropolis (finest accessed whilst you’re already in Arashiyama by taking the Sagano Romantic Practice or the Hozugawa-kudari river boat journey) after which discover this highway that’s discovered close to Nanatanigawa River.
With over 1,500 cherry blossom timber that line the kilometer-long Yawaragi Street, you’re certain to get a wide ranging picture on this scene!
Don’t neglect to drop by the close by Sakura Park that has over 100 cherry blossoms as effectively. (Yearly, a Cherry Blossom Competition is held there.)
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» Nijō Fort (二条城)
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Nijo Fort was once the Kyoto residence of the primary shogun (navy dictator) — right this moment, it’s a historic website that finest exemplifies citadel palace structure again within the olden feudal period of Japan. As such, it has been appointed as a UNESCO World Heritage Website since 1994.
The citadel has 3 areas: Honmaru (predominant circle of protection), Ninomaru (second circle of protection), and the gardens that encircle the previous two.
TIP: For a hassle-free expertise, you may ebook a guided tour.
Through the spring season, the entire of the citadel grounds and strolling paths are surrounded by 499 cherry timber in varied varieties. A few of them will even final till the tip of April! To have fun this, the Nijo Fort holds a yearly Cherry Blossom Competition as they do an illumination of the timber within the evenings.
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» Ninnaji Temple (仁和寺)
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Additionally thought to be a World Heritage Website, Ninnaji is the top temple of the Shingon sect of Buddhism and certainly one of its high highlights is the “Goten” — the previous residence of the top priest.
When it slightly involves being one of many high Kyoto cherry blossom viewing spots, it’s extremely recognized for its omuro cherries that bloom very late (round mid-April). So should you occur to reach late for Japan’s spring season, it is best to embody Ninnaji in your itinerary to nonetheless catch a glimpse of those dreamy pink timber!
TIP: For a hassle-free expertise, you may ebook a guided sakura tour that features this spot.
- ADMISSION FEE: ¥500 yen (for Goten palace buildings), admission to the remainder of the grounds is FREE besides throughout the cherry blossom season the place there’s a ¥500 admission charge
- NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) 13-minute stroll from Saga-Arashiyama Station (JR Sagano Line/San’in Primary Line)
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» OKAZAKI CANAL
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Positioned simply outdoors of Heian Shrine, Okazaki Canal connects the Lake Biwa Canal community with the Kamo River.
It’s thought of a preferred spot for cherry blossom viewing in Kyoto provided that the canal is bordered by a number of lovely cherry timber! For a singular expertise, vacationers can take pleasure in a 3-kilometer boat cruise by the canal — after which, very like the remainder of the sakura spots, the timber are additionally illuminated come nighttime.
- NEAREST STOP: (Use Google Maps) Bijutsukan-mae bus cease
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» Thinker’s Path (哲学の道)
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The Thinker’s Path or Stroll is listed as one of many Prime 100 Paths in Japan. Operating between Ginkakuji and the neighborhood of Nanzenji, this 2km stone path’s title is alleged to have been derived from the truth that Nishida Kitaro, certainly one of Japan’s most well-known philosophers, used to go down this manner throughout his day by day commute.
In early April, the a whole lot of cherry blossom timber that line the trail and the adjoining canal explode in lovely pink hues, making it an unforgettable sight! There are additionally numerous cafes and eating places which might be discovered alongside Thinker’sWalk, so there are sufficient areas so that you can sit down in for admiring the view for an extended time.
TIP: For a hassle-free expertise, you may ebook a guided Thinker’s Street tour.
- NEAREST LANDMARK: (Use Google Maps) Nanzenji Temple or Keage Station
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» Takenaka Inari Shrine
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It is a hidden gem inside Kyoto through which numerous vacationers don’t know!
Devoted to the kami or god of foxes and rice (referred to as Inari), this shrine turns into an Instagrammable spot within the spring particularly when the lined cherry timber would drape over the a number of small pink torii gates lining the paths.
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» Tō-ji Temple (東寺)
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Toji Temple or Kyo-o-gokokuji is dwelling to Japan’s tallest wood five-storied pagoda.
Greater than that, this UNESCO World Heritage Website is among the finest Kyoto cherry blossom spots given the 200 cherry blossom timber which might be scattered throughout its grounds! Be certain to get a shot with the 5-stories pagoda within the background for that quintessential Japanese spring picture.
Attempt to search for the favored shidare-zakura (weeping cherry) tree within the temple too! It’s already over 130 years previous and towers at a 13-meter top. When the evening begins to creep in, many of the timber are additionally breathtakingly illuminated.
TIP: For a hassle-free expertise, you may ebook a guided evening illumination tour.
- NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) 5-minute stroll from Toji Station
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» Yodogawa Riverside Park (淀川)
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Discovered south of Kyoto Metropolis (close to the border of Osaka Prefecture), the Yodogawa Riverside Park has an astonishing panorama that’s bordered by 250 cherry timber. Apparently, again in 2020, it has even been voted because the third hottest sakura spot in all of Japan!
This comes as no shock as a result of the promenade is really scenic because the sakura timber type some kind of pure tunnel by the pathways. Yearly, a pageant can be held in spring referred to as Sawaritei Sakura Matsuri and guests can take pleasure in various meals and drinks from the encircling stalls.
TIP: For a chicken’s eye view of the park, head to Sakura Deaikan Constructing’s observatory deck.
- NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) 10-minute stroll from Moriguchi Station
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» Prime Kyoto Excursions «
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Reserving Necessities
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Nonetheless, take observe {that a} journey insurance coverage’s affordability sometimes means lesser protection; so please at all times make sure that you learn the positive print to be able to decipher which journey insurance coverage firm is the proper match for you and your journey!
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General
The spring season in Kyoto is certainly one thing to stay up for whenever you go to Japan!
Apart from, the cherry blossoms actually add an otherwordly magnificence to town’s historic websites, and it’s certain to go away you with fantastic recollections.