Top 5 Cherry Blossom Spots in Kyoto, Japan — Netizens’ Favorite “Kiyomizu-dera Temple”

Reporter Chen Zi-Yin / Comprehensive Report

The end of the annual holiday season marks the arrival of the beautiful cherry blossom season. This year, cherry blossoms in Japan have bloomed earlier than usual, and with the Japanese yen still at a low value, visiting Japan to view the blossoms has become a popular travel choice for many. An online travel experience platform, based on search keywords on the site, has compiled a list of the most beloved cherry blossom spots in Kyoto among netizens. “Kiyomizu-dera Temple” claimed the top spot on the search rankings, while other famous Kyoto attractions “Philosopher’s Path” and “Arashiyama” ranked second and third, respectively.

Top Five Cherry Blossom Spots in Kyoto Loved by Netizens

No. 1: Kiyomizu-dera Temple (33%)

▲ Kiyomizu-dera Temple ranks first among the most searched keywords loved by netizens. (Photo provided by KKday, the same applies below)

Blooming Period: Late March to Early April
With a history spanning over a century, Kiyomizu-dera Temple attracts numerous visitors every year to admire the cherry blossoms. In addition to its renowned shrine architecture, the surrounding area offers many attractions, making Kiyomizu-dera a must-visit spot in Kyoto. The sea of cherry blossoms framing the Kiyomizu Stage is especially anticipated by tourists.

No. 2: Philosopher’s Path (25%)

▲ Philosopher’s Path earned its name because the philosopher Nishida Kitaro often strolled here.

Blooming Period: Early to Mid-April
Known as the “Philosopher’s Path” because the philosopher Nishida Kitaro frequently walked and pondered here, this path is not only one of the best places in Kyoto for a stroll, but also a famous cherry blossom viewing spot. Walking along the Philosopher’s Path as cherry petals fall is definitely one of the springtime highlights in Kyoto that you shouldn’t miss.

No. 3: Arashiyama (13%)

▲ Arashiyama’s cherry blossoms create scenery as beautiful as a painting.

Blooming Period: Mid-March to Mid-April
Arashiyama, well known for both its maple leaf and cherry blossom displays, features many renowned tourist attractions nearby and draws large crowds of visitors every cherry blossom season. In spring, the Togetsukyo Island Park in Arashiyama hosts a night illumination event for weeping cherry trees, which adds an enchanting and mysterious atmosphere to the area compared to the daytime.

No. 4: Heian Shrine (11%)

▲ Famous for having Kyoto’s largest torii gate, Heian Shrine is one of the city’s prime cherry blossom spots.

Blooming Period: Late March to Mid-April
Heian Shrine, known for having Kyoto’s largest torii gate, is also one of the top cherry blossom viewing spots in the city. During the annual Red Weeping Cherry Blossom Music Festival in spring, the South Garden is open for night cherry blossom viewing, and concerts are held in the East Garden. With night blossoms as the backdrop, it becomes a feast for both the eyes and ears.

No. 5: Ninna-ji Temple (9%)
▲ The cherry blossoms in Ninna-ji Temple are known as “Omuro Cherries.”

Blooming Period: Early to Mid-April
As many princes and princesses once became monks or nuns here, Ninna-ji Temple is also revered as the “Omuro Imperial Palace.” The cherry blossoms within the temple grounds naturally inherited the name “Omuro Cherries.” These blossoms are famed for blooming late—typically a week to ten days later than those in other areas. As a result, some say this is the place for “Kyoto’s Last Hanami” (Kyoto’s final cherry blossom viewing).