One of the most popular springtime traditions in Japan is viewing cherry blossoms. There are many places famous for cherry blossoms in Kyoto City, but the standard tree is located in Nijo Castle. When more than five to six cherry trees bloom inside the castle, the cherry blossoms are declared to be in full bloom.
So, what are the best places to enjoy cherry blossoms in Kyoto this spring?
I want to see the cherry blossoms with the shrine in the background.
I want to walk along the river to see cherry blossoms.
I want to take pictures of Hanami that will look good on social networking sites.
There are various ways to enjoy hanami, such as the following. This time, I, a Kyoto resident, would like to keep a real secret among the ones I have actually seen.
We would like to introduce some cherry blossom viewing spots, addresses to cherry blossom viewing spots, how to access to them, and their features. There are also many hole-in-the-wall spots, so please take a look at this page until the end and use it as a reference for your hanami trip.
Table of Contents
■Honmanji Temple
■Ushoboin
■Myorenji Temple
■Kamigamo Shrine
■Daigoji Temple
Heian Jingu Shrine Garden
■Keage Incline
Kyoto Botanical Garden
Hirano Shrine
■Yodo Waterway
■Kodaiji Temple
Maruyama Park
■Kyoto Gyoen
■Toji Temple
■Path of Philosophy
■Arashiyama
■Joshokoji Temple
■Honmanji Temple
Honman-ji Temple is located in Kamigyo-ku. This is one of the 21 temples in Rakuchu Hokke, and is the head temple of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism.
Entering from the west gate of Honman-ji Temple, up the Teramachi Imadegawa River, a large weeping cherry tree comes into view.
It is the sister cherry tree of the Gion edatare in Maruyama Park, and is characterized by blooming relatively early among the cherry trees in Kyoto.
The large, strong branches are a sight to behold, so if you want to see weeping cherry trees in Kyoto, please visit here.
Address: 16, Tsuruyama-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
■Access: 10-minute walk from Imadegawa Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line
■Ushoboin
Amaho-in Temple is a prayer temple in Kyoto of the Sennyuji School of Shingon Buddhism.
Usually from mid-April to late April, cherry blossoms such as Kannon-zakura and Goyo-yellow are in full bloom.
Not only pink flowers, but also pure white flowers of joyous cherry blossoms and other various colors are blooming in various places, creating a truly gorgeous atmosphere.
If you want to see many varieties of cherry blossoms in a hole-in-the-wall spot, this is the place to go.
Address: 9-3 Shoten-cho, Kamidachiuri Nishi-iru, Chiekoin, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access: Take Kyoto City Bus 46 bound for Kamigamo Shrine from Shijo-Omiya Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line, get off at "Senbon Kamidachiuri" and walk about 5 minutes.
■Myorenji Temple
Myorenji Temple is the main temple of the Honmon Hokke school of Buddhism.
The oeshiki zakura (cherry blossoms) in front of the main hall bloom from October and can be seen for a long period of time until they are in full bloom in the spring.
It is said that if you bring back the petals of these cherry blossoms, your love will come true, making it a secretly popular spot.
Other cherry blossoms can be seen with Someiyoshino and Yaezakura.
Address: 9-3 Shoten-cho, Kamidachiuri Nishi-iru, Chiekoin, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access: Take Kyoto City Bus 46 bound for Kamigamo Shrine from Shijo-Omiya Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line, get off at "Senbon Kamidachiuri" and walk about 5 minutes.
■Kamigamo Shrine
Kamigamo Shrine is said to be the oldest shrine in Kyoto. It is home to the Aoi Matsuri (hollyhock festival), one of the three major festivals in Kyoto, the Kamo Kyokusui Banquet, the Natsukoshi Purification Ceremony, the Kamo Mitodai Noh, Karasu Sumo, the Shinto Tasting Ceremony, the Shinnae Festival, and other festivals. It is also registered as a World Heritage site and is famous for its two beautiful weeping cherry trees, Goshozakura and Saiozakura. Other cherry trees in bloom include Someiyoshino, Hikan-zakura, Yama-zakura, and Hachisuka-zakura.
■Address: 339 Kamigamo Motoyama, Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access: Take Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line to Kitayama Station, transfer to City Bus No. 4 and get off at Kamigamo Jinja-mae.
■Daigoji Temple
It was registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1994 and is famous as the place where Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a general of the Warring States period, took more than 1,000 of his retainers to view cherry blossoms in 1598, just before his death. The best time to view the cherry blossoms is usually from late March to early April, and the area has been selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots.
■Address: 22 Daigo Higashioji, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access: From Kyoto Station, take the JR Tokaido Main Line (Biwako Line) or Kosei Line to Yamashina Station, transfer to the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line and get off at Daigo Station.
Heian Jingu Shrine Garden
The Heian Jingu Shrine Garden is a vast garden and is designated as a national place of scenic beauty. The shrine garden is famous as one of Kyoto's best-known cherry blossom viewing spots for its weeping cherry trees. The best time to view the cherry blossoms is usually from late March to mid-April, when you can enjoy 300 cherry trees of 20 varieties, including yae-koh-edashidare, higan-zakura, yamazakura, someiyoshino, satozakura, and uchigane.
Address: Okazaki Nishitenno-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
■Access: 10 min. walk from Higashiyama Sta. on the Kyoto Municipal Subway.
■Keage Incline
It was used as a boat route from Otsu, Shiga Prefecture to Kyoto in the 1890s. Walking along the 582-meter-long railroad line, which is no longer in use, visitors can enjoy the emotional scenery of 90 cherry trees planted on the abandoned railway tracks. The best time to see the cherry blossoms is usually from late March to early April, and you can enjoy someiyoshino cherry trees when the cherry blossom season comes.
Address: 339 Higashikomoza-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
■Access: 3 minutes on foot from Keage Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line
Kyoto Botanical Garden
The Kyoto Botanical Garden is recommended for those who love plants as well as cherry blossoms. The Kyoto Botanical Garden has over 450 cherry trees planted, with more than 130 different species. The best time to view the cherry blossoms is usually from early March to late April. The botanical garden is called a "museum of living plants," and its greenhouse, one of the largest in Japan, is home to 4,500 species of plants, allowing visitors to enjoy a wide variety of plants throughout the year. It is a recommended spot to see cherry blossoms in spring and sunflowers and autumn leaves in other seasons.
Address: Shimogamo-Hangi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
■Access: Short walk from Exit 3 of Kitayama Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Line
Hirano Shrine
Hirano Shrine with 60 kinds and 400 cherry trees in bloom. The shrine is famous for its shrine pavilion in Kita-ku, Kyoto City, and is home to 400 cherry trees of 60 varieties, including sakigake, toranowo, kinugasa, and hira-no-imose. Every year on April 10, there is an event called "Sakurahana Matsuri," in which a portable shrine and people dressed in weaver's costumes parade through the shrine. The best time to view the cherry blossoms is usually from mid-March to late April.
Address: 1 Hiranomiyamoto-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access: 3 min. walk north from Kinugasa-ko-mae bus stop on City Bus No. 50 from Kyoto Sta.
■Yodo Waterway
Kawazu cherry trees along Yodo Suijo were planted by local residents in 2002, and from late February to mid-March, nearly 200 trees along the Yodo Suijo are decorated with color. It is recommended for those who want to enjoy the cherry blossoms while strolling along the promenade of the waterway.
■Address: Yodoshinmachi, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
■Access: 10-minute walk from Yodo Station on the Keihan Electric Railway line
■Kodaiji Temple
The weeping cherry trees in the Hashinniwa garden, which has spread in front of the Hojo since the late Edo period, are very popular.
In the past, nighttime cherry blossom lighting and project mapping have been held to provide a fantastic view.
Address: 526 Kawaramachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
■Access: 10 min. walk from "Gion-Shijo Station" of Keihan
Maruyama Park
Maruyama Park is famous for its cherry blossoms in Higashiyama-ku. Originally part of Yasaka Shrine, the park is crowded in early spring with tourists who come to see the cherry blossoms, and food stalls are set up in the park. The symbolic weeping cherry tree is over 80 years old, and there are 680 other cherry trees in the park. Visitors can also enjoy the area around the park, including an outdoor music hall, a fountain, the Kamo River, and souvenir shops.
■Address: Maruyama-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City
■Access: 10 min. walk from "Gion-Shijo Station" of Keihan
■Kyoto Gyoen
The Kyoto Gyoen Garden has a circumference of 4 kilometers. The park boasts nearly 1,000 cherry trees, including the famous weeping cherry tree in Gion, which is said to have been loved by the poet Akiko Yosano, as well as mountain cherry trees, someiyoshino cherry trees, and double weeping cherry trees.
Address: 3 Kyoto Gyoen, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
■Access: Get off at Marutamachi Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway and walk 5 minutes to Manomachi Exit.
■Toji Temple
Toji Temple is home to the famous five-story pagoda, the tallest wooden structure in Japan. The temple is also registered as a World Heritage site, and during the cherry blossom season, as many as 200 cherry trees are in full bloom, making it a great place to take pictures of cherry blossoms and Kyoto's typical scenery.
Address: 1 Kujo-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
■Access: 10-minute walk from Toji Station on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line
■Path of Philosophy
Philosopher's Path has been selected as one of the 100 best paths in Japan. It was named after the philosopher Kitaro Nishida, who was fond of this path. The road is flanked by a 2-kilometer waterway, along which 500 Someiyoshino cherry trees are in full bloom. If you want to enjoy a fantastic atmosphere while strolling along the rows of cherry trees, this is the place to be.
■Address: Jodoji-Shimonanda-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
■Access: Take city bus No.100 from Kyoto Station and get off at Ginkakuji-mae bus stop.
■Arashiyama
Riding the trolley train, you can enjoy the magnificent nature of Arashiyama. The mountains are tinged with pink in the fall and cherry blossom season. The scenery of the mountainside changes with the seasons, and the graceful appearance of the Togetsu Bridge is truly a symbol of Arashiyama in Kyoto.
Address: Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
■Access: Get off at Arashiyama Station on the Randen Arashiyama-moto Line.
■Joshokoji Temple
A temple of the Tenryuji school of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism, Joshokoji Temple was founded by Emperor Kogon in 1362. The nine-tiered cherry tree is a national natural treasure, and other famous cherry trees include Sakon-no-zakura.
■Address: 14 Maruyama, Keihoku Idocho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access: Take the JR bus from Kyoto Station to Shuyama, transfer to the Keihoku Furusato Bus, get off at Yamakuni Goryo-mae, and walk about 10 minutes.
summary
How was it? In this article, we have introduced some of the best cherry blossom spots in Kyoto.
Enjoying cherry blossoms while taking a leisurely stroll along the river, or viewing cherry blossoms in a park or other large site...there are many ways to enjoy yourself. We hope you will leave your memories of cherry blossoms in Kyoto with your family or loved ones.
