As someone who once lived in Kyoto, the spring cherry blossom season was a special time for me. I still vividly remember how the ancient city's landscape was dyed in pale pink.
In late March, the weeping cherry tree in Maruyama Park starts to bloom first. At night, the illuminated cherry blossoms create a fantastical atmosphere. In early April, the cherry blossoms along the Kamogawa River and Gion Shirakawa reach full bloom, and the reflection of the blossoms on the water surface is breathtakingly beautiful.
Near Shimogamo Shrine where I used to live, cherry blossom petals dance in the wind in mid-April. I used to enjoy watching the cherry blossom petals dancing in the quiet precincts of shrines and temples in the early morning.
The charm of Kyoto's cherry blossoms isn't just about the beauty of the flowers. I think experiencing seasonal limited Japanese sweets and dishes lining up in storefronts is also unique to Kyoto.
Kyoto not only has many famous cherry blossom spots but also numerous hidden gems such as the Philosopher's Path and Kyoto Imperial Palace.
In this article, I'll introduce you to the spring of Kyoto, including my experiences of actually living there. I hope this will be an opportunity for you to feel the charm of Kyoto's cherry blossoms.
If you are looking for Comprehensive Kyoto Guide, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy different areas of Kyoto as much as possible.
Takashi Nakadomari
Table of Contents
・Recommended Cherry Blossom Spots in Kyoto
・Hidden Cherry Blossom Spots in Kyoto
・Spring Cuisine in Kyoto
・Cherry Blossom and Spring Events in Kyoto
・Tips for Enjoying Spring in Kyoto
Recommended Cherry Blossom Spots in Kyoto
Kyoto is one of Japan's leading tourist destinations, a place where you can feel the charm of an ancient capital with its townscape and beautiful nature in harmony. Especially during the spring cherry blossom season, there are numerous famous spots and hidden gems that attract many tourists. Here, I'll introduce some representative cherry blossom spots in Kyoto.
Best Time to See Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto
The best time to see cherry blossoms in Kyoto varies slightly each year, but it's typically from late March to mid-April. However, the blooming of cherry blossoms is greatly influenced by weather conditions, so the best viewing period is only about a week.
Also, the best time varies depending on the area and the variety of cherry blossoms.
When I lived in Kyoto, the weeping cherry tree in Maruyama Park started blooming in late March, and the cherry blossoms along the Kamogawa River and Gion Shirakawa were in full bloom in early April. I could enjoy cherry blossoms at Shimogamo Shrine until mid-April.
I feel that I can understand the Japanese sentiment of admiring cherry blossoms because the best viewing period is so short.
Maruyama Park
Maruyama Park is one of the best cherry blossom spots in Kyoto. There are about 600 cherry trees in the park, and the most famous one is the weeping cherry tree.
From late March to early April, the sight of pink flowers blooming is spectacular. Of course, during the day, but at night it's illuminated, and you can enjoy a fantastical atmosphere different from daytime.
When I lived in Kyoto, it was a tradition for me to visit every year to see the night cherry blossoms. The pale pink flowers illuminated by lanterns looked even more beautiful than during the day.
To access Maruyama Park, it's about a 5-10 minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Line, or about a 10-15 minute walk from Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line.
Website: https://kyoto-maruyama-park.jp/
Kamogawa River
The Kamogawa River is a river that flows through Kyoto City, with beautiful cherry tree lines continuing along both banks. Every year in early April, the Kamogawa River is dyed in pale pink.
The area near Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Line or Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line is a recommended spot where you can easily enjoy the cherry blossoms along the Kamogawa River. There's a promenade along the river where you can enjoy a leisurely cherry blossom walk.
For those who want to see the cherry blossoms quietly away from the crowds, I recommend the Kamogawa River near Demachiyanagi Station on the Keihan Line.
This area is relatively less crowded, and you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing while looking at the cherry blossoms reflected on the river surface.
To access the Kamogawa River, it's just a short walk from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Line or Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line. For the area near Demachiyanagi Station, you can access it on foot from Demachiyanagi Station on the Keihan Line.
Gion Shirakawa
Gion Shirakawa is a symbolic presence of Gion, one of Kyoto's representative geisha districts. Along the Shirakawa River, traditional houses line up, and in front of them continues a magnificent cherry blossom line.
I think the scenery where cherry blossoms and stone pavements intertwine is truly a Kyoto-like sight. Especially rather than during the day, I recommend the quiet atmosphere at dusk or early morning.
In the past, I often used to take a walk in Gion Shirakawa early in the morning. The moments of enjoying cherry blossoms while listening to the murmur of the river with almost no passersby were exceptional.
The best time to see cherry blossoms is typically from late March to early April. I feel that the quiet appearance in the early morning or late at night is also a great charm of Gion Shirakawa.
You can access Gion Shirakawa by walking about 5 minutes from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Line, or about 10 minutes from Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a representative tourist spot in Kyoto and also a famous cherry blossom spot. While it's bustling with many people during the autumn foliage season, the spring cherry blossom season is also well worth seeing.
There are about 350 cherry trees planted in the precincts of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and their appearance is spectacular.
The typical best viewing time is around early April. There are various routes to access Kiyomizu-dera Temple, but I recommend walking up Higashiyama for about 25 minutes from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Line or Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line. You can enjoy other cherry blossom spots along the way.
Website: https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/en/
If you are interested in Kiyomizu-dera Temple, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
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Kodai-ji Temple
Kodai-ji Temple is a temple located near Kiyomizu-dera Temple. It's known as the temple founded by Nene, the lawful wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Kodai-ji Temple is particularly famous for its garden, where you can enjoy magnificent weeping cherry blossoms in spring. The night view illuminated is fantastical and attracts many tourists.
During my student days, I often visited Kodai-ji Temple at night. In contrast to the hustle and bustle of the daytime, the cherry blossoms illuminated in the night's silence have an indescribable beauty.
The typical best viewing time is around early April. You can access Kodai-ji Temple by walking about 15-20 minutes from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Line or Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line. I recommend visiting it together with Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
Website: https://www.kodaiji.com/e_index.html
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Keage Incline
Keage Incline is a relic of the Lake Biwa Canal in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, where you can enjoy a tunnel of cherry blossoms in spring.
Many cherry trees are planted along the former railroad track from Keage Station south of Nanzen-ji Temple to Nanzen-ji Suirokaku.
When in full bloom, a tunnel of cherry blossoms is formed, creating a scenery that looks like a pink carpet has been laid out.
During the cherry blossom blooming period, illumination is also held, and you can enjoy a fantastical atmosphere different from daytime.
When I was a graduate student, I often visited Keage Incline when I was stuck in my research. I have memories of feeling refreshed while slowly walking along the railroad and looking at the cherry blossoms.
The best time to see cherry blossoms at Keage Incline is typically around early April. You can access it immediately on foot from Keage Station on the Tozai Subway Line.
Arashiyama
Arashiyama is one of Kyoto's representative tourist spots, showing great bustle during the autumn foliage season. However, the cherry blossom season is also recommended.
The highlight of Arashiyama's cherry blossoms is, without a doubt, the view of cherry blossoms and mountains from Togetsukyo Bridge.
During my student days, it was customary for me to visit Arashiyama with friends when spring came. I have many good memories, like taking photos with cherry blossoms in the background at the foot of Togetsukyo Bridge.
The best time to see cherry blossoms in Arashiyama is typically around early April. You can access it by walking about 5 minutes from Arashiyama Station on the Hankyu Line. Or it's about a 10-minute walk from Saga-Arashiyama Station on the JR Line.
If you are interested in Arashiyama, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy Arashiyama as much as possible.
Takashi Nakadomari
Hidden Cherry Blossom Spots in Kyoto
The famous cherry blossom spots in Kyoto get very crowded during the cherry blossom season. But if you venture a little further, there are many hidden spots where you can enjoy cherry blossoms away from the crowds. Here, I'll introduce two hidden cherry blossom spots that I recommend.
Kyoto Gyoen National Garden
Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, once the garden of Kyoto Imperial Palace, is a vast area located in the center of Kyoto City. About 1,000 trees including plum and cherry trees are planted in the garden, which bloom beautiful flowers in spring.
The charm of Kyoto Gyoen National Garden is that you can enjoy cherry blossoms relatively away from crowds because the site is large. Inside the garden, there are historical building sites like the Konoe Residence, where you can enjoy a scenic view with cherry blossoms.
Another attraction of Kyoto Gyoen's cherry blossoms is that you can enjoy them for a long period. Various types of cherry trees are planted, including Somei Yoshino, Yamazakura, weeping cherry, and double-flowered cherry, so you can enjoy them in order from early to late April.
To access Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, it's about a 5-minute walk from Imadegawa Station on the Karasuma Subway Line. You can also walk for 10-15 minutes from Jingu-Marutamachi Station on the Keihan Line.
Website: https://kyotogyoen.go.jp/en/
Philosopher's Path
The Philosopher's Path is a walking path about 2 kilometers long connecting Ginkaku-ji Temple and Honen-in Temple. During the cherry blossom season, about 500 cherry trees bloom along the path, making you feel like you're walking through a tunnel of cherry blossoms.
The name "Philosopher's Path" is said to have been given because Kitaro Nishida, a philosopher from Kyoto University, used to walk this path while lost in thought. It's a perfect place for a slow walk while listening to the murmur of the small stream flowing beside the path.
When I was a graduate student at Kyoto University, I often walked this path. It was especially pleasant during the cherry blossom season, and I loved walking while looking at the cherry blossoms reflected on the water surface.
The best time to see cherry blossoms on the Philosopher's Path is typically around early April. To access it, it's about a 15-20 minute walk from Keage Station on the Tozai Subway Line to the southern end of the Philosopher's Path.
Sewaritei
Sewaritei is a famous cherry blossom spot in the Yodo River basin in Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture. About 1,000 cherry trees stand in a row for about 1.4 kilometers, creating a spectacular cherry blossom tunnel.
The charm of Sewaritei is that compared to the famous cherry blossom spots in Kyoto City, there are fewer tourists and more locals. There's a grassy area along the river where you can see people spreading out sheets and enjoying hanami leisurely.
In early April when the cherry blossoms are at their best, a cherry blossom festival is held, attracting many hanami visitors.
To access Sewaritei, it's about a 10-minute walk from Ishiyama-Hachimangu Station on the Keihan Line.
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Spring Cuisine in Kyoto
In Kyoto's spring, along with beautiful cherry blossoms, seasonal cuisine is also one of the enjoyments.
First, for sweets, Japanese confectioneries using cherry blossoms and leaves are very popular. Seasonal limited Japanese sweets with beautiful pink colors, such as sakura mochi and other fresh confections, or sakura domyoji made with domyoji powder, line up in storefronts. You can purchase these at long-established Japanese confectionery stores like "Tawara-ya Yoshitomi".
Website: https://kyogashi.co.jp/
In restaurants, seasonal menus using fresh ingredients appear. Speaking of spring, fresh seafood is a must. Among them, cherry blossom sea bream is a representative ingredient of this season.
Cherry blossom sea bream, with its firm flesh and rich fat, can be enjoyed in various cooking methods, of course as sashimi, but also as salt-grilled. In ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurants) in Gion and Kiyamachi, you can taste kaiseki cuisine that allows you to fully enjoy the flavors of spring.
Mountain vegetables like young bamboo shoots and takenoko are also ingredients that herald spring. Bamboo shoots are staples in Japanese cuisine, such as simmered in soy sauce or in rice dishes.
Cherry Blossom and Spring Events in Kyoto
In spring Kyoto, various events related to cherry blossoms are held. Here, I'll introduce two recommended events.
Cherry Blossom Illuminations
At famous cherry blossom spots in Kyoto, illuminations are held at night, allowing you to enjoy a fantastical atmosphere different from daytime.
Illuminations are implemented at various places in the city, including the cherry blossom spots introduced in this article such as Maruyama Park, Gion Shirakawa, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and Kodai-ji Temple. The cherry blossoms illuminated by lanterns or LEDs seem like a different world from daytime.
Illuminations are generally held from sunset to around 10:00 PM. My recommendation is to go a little before sunset. You can enjoy the gradation of the twilight sky and cherry blossoms, then watch as they gradually become illuminated.
Yabusame at Shimogamo Shrine
Shimogamo Shrine is a prestigious shrine registered as a World Heritage site. Every year on May 3rd, "Yabusame" (horseback archery) is held at this shrine.
In this Shinto ritual, mounted archers dressed in Heian period costumes shoot arrows at targets. The gallant figures of the warriors are truly picturesque.
While Yabusame is slightly off from the cherry blossom season, you can have a special experience feeling the arrival of spring along with the ritual.
You can access Shimogamo Shrine by walking about 10 minutes from Demachi-yanagi Station on the Keihan Main Line.
Tips for Enjoying Spring in Kyoto
Finally, let me share some tips for fully enjoying Kyoto's cherry blossoms.
Cherry Blossom Season is Short and Varies Each Year
Cherry blossoms fall about two weeks after blooming. Therefore, the best viewing period is very short.
Also, the cherry blossom blooming time varies each year. The best viewing times introduced in this article are just guidelines, so when planning your trip, I recommend checking the cherry blossom forecast for that year.
For example, in the spring of 2023, cherry blossoms bloomed about a week earlier than usual, and most cherry blossoms had fallen by early April. I'd say that planning with some flexibility in your schedule is the key to fully enjoying Kyoto's cherry blossoms.
Recommend Moving Around Without Using Buses
Kyoto gets extremely crowded during the cherry blossom season, especially around popular tourist spots which are overflowing with people. In such situations, moving around by bus can be quite challenging.
In fact, when I was a graduate student, I often found it difficult to get on buses during the cherry blossom season. There were always many people queuing at bus stops.
I recommend using trains or walking as much as possible. Kyoto has many sights scattered around, so just walking around can be quite enjoyable.
Don't Touch Cherry Blossom Branches
This is something I want you to remember as cherry blossom viewing etiquette, not just in Kyoto but throughout Japan.
In Japan, cherry trees are considered sacred, and it's taboo to break branches or take flowers home. When taking photos, be careful not to pull on the branches.
In this article, I've provided information to fully enjoy Kyoto's cherry blossoms, from famous spots to hidden gems, cuisine, and events.
The spring of the ancient capital Kyoto is truly a succession of spectacular views. The beautiful scenery woven by pale pink flowers can be said to be a symbol of Japanese spring.
I hope that my memories of the two years I spent in Kyoto will be helpful for your Kyoto trip. I wish that Kyoto's cherry blossoms will give you excitement and healing!