Let's enjoy Kyoto in spring! Kyoto's seasonal spots to visit!

The temperature has been rising dramatically recently, and it is becoming more and more like spring day by day.
Speaking of springtime delights, the cherry blossoms are the best part of the year.
We will now introduce some of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Kyoto City and nearby cafes and places to rest.

Table of Contents

■Kyoto Gyoen

Arashiyama Togetsu Bridge

■Rokkakudo

■ Summary

■Kyoto Gyoen

The first place we will introduce is the "Kyoto Gyoen" (Kyoto Imperial Garden). In the Edo period (1603-1867), there were about 200 residences of the imperial family and court nobles in the area, but when the capital moved to Tokyo in the Meiji period (1868-1912), many of the buildings were demolished and turned into parks.
Located almost in the center of the city, this vast park surrounding the Kyoto Imperial Palace has a circumference of about 4 km and is a place of recreation and relaxation for citizens. The park is a popular cherry blossom viewing spot, with approximately 1,100 weeping cherry trees and sato cherry trees in bloom.

Known for being the first to bloom each year are the weeping cherry trees at the Konoe Residence Ruins, which begin blooming in mid-March.
The Konoe Residence, located in the northwestern part of the Gyoen, is the site of the residence of the Konoe family, one of the five regent houses and the family that produced many regents and seigniorial officials. Itozakura, a type of weeping cherry tree named after the thin threads that flow from its branches, has small, dark red or white flowers that sway in the wind, creating a graceful beauty. It is deeply moving to think that people in the Edo period also loved these cherry trees.

Another cherry tree that I would like to introduce is "Demizu no Shidarezakura," a weeping cherry tree that begins to bloom at about the same time as the weeping cherry tree at the Konoe Residence Ruins. It is planted on the west side of the Kyoto Gyoen near the Dezui creek. The tree is quite large, with countless flowers blooming toward the ground, looking like a "shower of cherry blossoms!

And there is a café that you should stop by during your cherry blossom viewing in Gosho. It is Coffee Base NASHINOKI, a cafe located at nearby Nashinoki Shrine.

You can enjoy specialty coffee brewed with Somei no Mizu, the only one of the three best waters in Kyoto in existence. Somei no mizu is so loved by the locals that restaurants in Gion and other areas come to draw it, leading to the opening of the restaurant in order to preserve and maintain the precious water and well.

Coffee beans come from Coffee Base KANONDO, our main store in Shijo-Karasuma. Freshly roasted specialty coffee beans, roasted in a Kyoto-made roasting machine, stand out for their aroma and deep flavor.
And what a surprise, here you can also enjoy the pairing of coffee and sweets, and a coffee course by reservation only. Coffee and pastries are served in turn. The course takes 60 to 90 minutes, just like a restaurant course meal. You can enjoy a new coffee experience, such as tasting the difference in taste depending on the extraction method, or pairing it with Japanese sweets.

The interior space of the restaurant is also unique! The former Shunkoden, which was moved from Gosho to Nashiki Shrine and used as a tea ceremony room in the shrine, was renovated to create a store interior space that blends the old and the new.

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Coffee Base NASHINOKI
Address: Precincts of Nashiki Shrine, 680 Some-dono-machi, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto
Phone: 075-600-9393

HP:https://www.instagram.com/coffeebase.nashinoki/

Arashiyama Togetsu Bridge

The next spot is the cherry blossoms near the Togetsu Bridge in Arashiyama. Arashiyama, one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Kyoto, has long been known for its cherry blossoms.

Watarigetsukyo Bridge, one of Kyoto's most famous scenic spots, is a picturesque 155-meter-long bridge that spans the Katsura River flowing through the center of Arashiyama in Kyoto City. According to legend, the name "Wataratsukibashi Bridge" originated when Emperor Kameyama saw the moon in the night sky moving as if it were crossing over the bridge and remarked, "It is like the crossing of the moon without a trace. The rich nature of Arashiyama, the emotional old townscape, and the elegant view of the Wataratsuki Bridge are the symbolic scenery of Arashiyama.

The cherry blossoms in full bloom along the Katsura River and the view of Arashiyama over the Togetsu Bridge are a perfect example of scenic beauty. The various shades of pink and green that color Arashiyama are a feast for the eyes, and can truly be said to be the only scenery of its kind in the world.

Nakanoshima Park, located on the sandbank of the Katsura River on the way to Togetsu Bridge from Hankyu Arashiyama Station, is another popular cherry blossom viewing spot. Many cherry trees are in full bloom, and their beauty is enhanced by the weeping cherry trees.

Here are two of our favorite spots in the Arashiyama area! The first is Laomatsu Arashiyama Store.

Yushoku Sakashi Goshousho Laomatsu" is a Kyoto confectionery established in 1908 in Kamishichiken, one of the oldest flower streets in Kyoto. The reason why the name of the shop is "Yushoku Goshusho" is derived from the fact that the family lineage of the owner of the shop is descended from the court ceremonial officials of the Heian period (794-1185), and the shop has been producing confections for ceremonies and ceremonies based on Yushoku Naniwa, which has been handed down from ancient times in the Imperial Court, and confections for tea ceremonies. Through "Kyoto's confectionery culture," we are conveying the history and culture of Kyoto.

One of the most popular products is "Natsukansugar," an agar candy in which the inside of a summer mandarin orange is carefully extracted and made into a bowl. Only available during the summer season, the agar is made by adding a small amount of sugar to the juice squeezed from only the summer mandarin oranges, pouring the agar into the peeled vessel, and chilling and hardening it. When you put it in your mouth, it loosens up and has an excellent balance of sweetness and sourness! This is a simple, yet excellent product that shows off the quality of the ingredients and careful handiwork.

We also recommend "Sanjin soukai Dai-touju-kotouritsu" (山人艸果橙糖珠・胡桃律). It is a confection of Tokushima kumquat preserved in honey with gradually increasing sugar content, and walnuts slightly roasted to bring out their aroma, garnished with surimitsu (ground honey). You can enjoy the taste of the ingredients themselves, which is a little wild but refined, and not something you can find in other stores.

The Arashiyama store is located on the Wataratsuki Bridge, passing the World Heritage Site Tenryuji Temple. The tea house "Gen-ian" is located in the back of the store, and when you enter, you will see a Japanese garden in the courtyard. The Japanese garden in the courtyard is a calm space where you can leave the hustle and bustle of the sightseeing area behind with Japanese decorations such as hanging scrolls.

The "Honwarabi Mochi" is a must-try item here. It is served in a large lacquered bowl and appears reverently. The rice cake is made of 100% strawflowers and is freshly made! It is served floating in ice water, but it is still warm and so soft that you cannot easily grab it with chopsticks. As time goes by, the ice gradually cools the mochi and it becomes tighter and firmer. This is the real pleasure of freshly made mochi. You can enjoy it as it is or dip it in molasses or kinako (soybean flour) if you like. There are many famous stores in Kyoto that serve warabi mochi, but this is definitely one of the top five.

In addition to the Arashiyama store, there is also the Kitano store, which is full of the refined atmosphere of a flower town, as well as stores in the Daimaru Kyoto store, JR Kyoto Isetan, and Isetan Shinjuku, making it easy to stop by while sightseeing or changing trains.

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

■Raematsu Ranzan Store
Address: 20 Sagano-baba-cho, Tenryuji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto
Phone: 075-881-9033

HP: https://oimatu.co.jp/

The second restaurant we will introduce is Saryo Hachisui in the Suiran Luxury Collection Hotel Kyoto.

The Suiran Luxury Collection Hotel Kyoto is a luxury hotel that offers spectacular views of the colorful Arashiyama and the beautiful jade-colored Hozu River.

“Luxury Collection Hotels is one of the Marriott Group's (a merger of Marriott, SPG, and Ritz-Carlton) most luxurious brands, with four hotels in Japan, including HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO In Japan, there are 4 hotels including ”HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL & SPA".

Suiran has 39 guest rooms with a modern design that features traditional Japanese beauty throughout, 17 of which have open-air baths with natural hot spring water. In addition, guests can enjoy the natural beauty of Arashiyama and its seasonal scenery from the restaurant "Kyo Suiran," which makes use of a historical building from the Meiji period, the cafe "Saryo Hachimizu," which overlooks Arashiyama, banquet rooms, a private spa, and a Japanese garden that combines traditional elegance with a modern touch.

Saryo Hachisui is a historical building, which is over 100 years old, and is said to have once served as the seat of Kameyama Rikyu, a detached palace in Kameyama. The terrace overlooks the Hozu River, loved by many noblemen in history, and Arashiyama, which changes with the seasons.

The "Japanese Afternoon Tea" is a must-try here. The menu changes every few months in collaboration with various brands, making it an attractive place to visit again and again.

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Suiran Luxury Collection Hotel Kyoto "Saryo Hachisui
Address: 12 Sagano-baba-cho, Tenryuji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto
Phone: 075-872-0101

HP: https://www.suihotels.com/suiran-kyoto/

■Rokkakudo

The last cherry blossom spot we will introduce is Rokkakudo.
About a 7-minute walk from Karasuma-Oike Station and a 5-minute walk from Shijo Station, it is a rare find in the middle of the city of Kyoto.
Its official name is Choho-ji Temple, which is a Tendai-style temple. It is called Rokkakudo because of its location on Rokkaku Street and the hexagonal shape of its main hall.
It is also known as the birthplace of ikebana.
The temple grounds are not very large, but there are three main areas planted with cherry trees. The weeping cherry tree in front of the main hall, the weeping cherry tree near the Shinran Hall, and the weeping cherry tree at the Jizo-san are the most graceful.
It is full of Kyoto-like scenery such as five-color curtains, Jizo-san, and green willows, making it a great spot for taking photos and videos and an easy spot to take photos with fewer people.

When visiting Rokkakudo, you should stop by Ogawa Coffee Sakai-cho Nishiki.

Established in 1957, Ogawa Coffee is a coffee supply chain that has led Kyoto's coffee culture.
The theme of this store, which will be opened in 2022, is “a store that will last for 100 years. It is located close to Nishiki Market, known as the kitchen of Kyoto. The store is a renovated traditional machiya (traditional Kyoto townhouse) built over 100 years ago. While retaining elements of the machiya, such as the tsuboniwa garden and beams, stylish furniture has been added to give the machiya a modern essence. The coffee lineup includes only ethical coffees, including organic JAS-certified and international fair trade certified coffees. The restaurant also engages in sustainable activities, such as developing a menu that uses ingredients produced in Kyoto.

The coffee I received was Organic House Blend 011 Dark. Even though it is dark, it is not too strong and has a clean aftertaste, but it is rich and full-bodied. It is also nice that the quantity is generous.
We also offer a wide variety of other types, including fruity types and types with a pronounced acidity.

For sweets, we ordered "homemade pudding. The pudding is a traditional, slightly firm pudding with a robust flavor that allows you to enjoy the richness of the eggs. You can enjoy it with whipped topping or with the crispy texture of the meringue underneath.

It is a reassuring place to enjoy a selection of coffee, sweets, and light meals in a cozy atmosphere.

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Ogawa Coffee Sakaimachi Nishiki
Address: 519-1 Kikuya-cho, Nishikikoji-agaru, Sakaicho-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Phone: 075-748-1699

HP:https://www.oc-ogawa.co.jp/nishiki/

■ Summary

We have introduced some of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Kyoto City and some of the best restaurants nearby.
We hope you will enjoy the many different expressions of cherry blossoms in Kyoto.