The most beautiful pink skies of spring！11 must-visit cherry blossom spots in Kyoto

Text and photos byKyoto Traveler

When it comes to sightseeing in Japan, cherry blossom viewing is definitely not to be missed. Depending on the variety, cherry blossoms bloom at different times, from the earliest at Tō-ji Temple to the latest at Higurashi Shrine. The blooming period varies greatly, and the differences you see are in the blossoms and scenery. The cherry blossom season isn’t very long, and the timing changes slightly each year, so checking the forecast before you go is highly recommended.

Early-blooming varieties such as Kawazu-zakura and Beni-shidare-zakura, which come from southern regions, flower about a week earlier than Somei-yoshino. However, aside from the Yodo River path in Fushimi Ward, there aren’t many large-scale Kawazu or Beni-shidare viewing spots in Kyoto—usually just one or two trees here and there—so don’t expect too much. You can see these blossoms at Tō-ji Temple, Ichijō Nishidono Bridge, and Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Garden, where they are usually in full bloom around mid-March.

When the Kawazu-zakura begins its famous “cherry snow” bloom, it signals the start of the main cherry blossom season, dominated by Somei-yoshino and wild mountain cherries. Major sightseeing spots such as Kiyomizu-dera, Maruyama Park, Shirakawa in Gion, Arashiyama, and the Philosopher’s Path are all great places to go. These spots are typically at their most beautiful in early April.

Finally, the late-blooming varieties take the stage, including Benishidare (weeping red cherry), Omuro-zakura, and double-flowered yaezakura. Famous spots include Heian Shrine, Ninna-ji Temple, Haradani-en Garden, Hanamichi-dōri, and Ubai-in. Their peak season is generally around mid-April.

Kyoto Imperial Palace Park

This national park in Kyoto’s Kamigyō Ward covers approximately 65 hectares. The grounds are managed by three different entities, with the park area overseen by the Ministry of the Environment. It is open 24 hours a day and entry is free. The Kyoto Imperial Palace Park is very popular with both locals and tourists, and you’ll often see people strolling and enjoying the flowers. Throughout the expansive grounds, cherry blossoms are abundant, mostly weeping cherry and wild mountain cherry varieties. While there are quite a few, the “Konoe Residence Site” has the densest concentration, with about 90 early-blooming weeping cherry trees (known as Ito-zakura). The blooming period of Ito-zakura coincides with that of the peach blossoms in the Peach Garden nearby, so it’s a good idea to visit that area as well.

Hours: Open 24 hours
Admission: Free
Access: Take the Karasuma Subway Line to Imadegawa Station and walk 5 minutes to the Konoe Residence Site
Official Website:https://www.env.go.jp/garden/kyotogyoen/

Daigo-ji Temple

Founded in 874 by monk Rigen Daishi, Daigo-ji Temple flourished under the patronage of Emperor Daigo. Although it declined during the Ōnin and Bunmei civil wars, it was later restored by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who held the historically famous “Daigo Cherry Blossom Viewing,” restoring the temple to its former glory.

The temple grounds are mainly divided into three areas: Kami-Daigo, Shimo-Daigo, and Sanbō-in. Prime spots for cherry blossom and autumn leaf photography are concentrated around the Kondō (main hall), Five-Story Pagoda, and Reihōkan (Treasure Hall) in Shimo-Daigo.

Hours: 9:00–17:00 (16:00 from November to December)
Admission: 600 yen each for Sanbō-in, Reihōkan, Garan (temple complex), and Kami-Daigo; 1500 yen for a combined ticket to all four
Access: Take the Tozai Subway Line to Daigo Station and walk about 20 minutes
Official Website: https://www.daigoji.or.jp/

Hirano Shrine

A famous cherry blossom shrine in Kyoto, even its official emblem features a cherry blossom design. The shrine grounds are home to about 60 varieties and 400 cherry trees. Since the Edo period, the shrine has opened its night cherry blossoms to the public, becoming widely known across Japan as the “Hirano Night Cherry Blossoms,” and it remains livelier at night than during the day.

With so many cherry varieties, blooms can be seen at Hirano Shrine from mid-March to late April, spanning a full month and a half. The early-blooming “Sakura-zakura” (Kakuzakura) in front of the main hall marks the unofficial start of Kyoto’s cherry blossom season. Also, while there are many cherry types here, Most are Somei-yoshino, so if you visit outside of their blooming period, don’t expect too many blossoms.

Hours: 06:00–17:00
Admission: Free
Access: Take city bus routes 50 or 205 to “Kinugasa-mae” and walk 3 minutes
Official Website:http://www.hiranojinja.com/

Philosopher’s Path

This 2-kilometer canal-side path stretches from Ginkaku-ji Temple in the north to Wakao Shrine in the south, named after philosopher Nishida Kitaro who often pondered his theories here. The cherry trees along the Philosopher’s Path were donated by the wife of Japanese painter Hashimoto Kansetsu and are commonly referred to as “Kansetsu Cherries.” Around 450 cherry trees create a stunning tunnel of blossoms and romantic cherry snow when in full bloom. Walking southward, you’ll eventually reach the Kamo Slope near Nanzen-ji Temple.

Hours: Open 24 hours
Admission: Free

The Keage Incline, the Okazaki Sakura Promenade area

From the Keage Incline to the Okazaki Sakura Promenade around Heian Shrine is lined with cherry blossoms on both sides of the railway and waterway, primarily consisting of Somei Yoshino varieties. The area near the Keage Railway blends with a nostalgic retro atmosphere, attracting many couples to take wedding photos.

Nearby, the Okazaki Sakura Promenade offers the option to take a boat ride on the Okazaki Jikkoku-bune to circle around Heian Shrine, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Maruyama Park, and other nearby spots, providing different perspectives of the blooming cherry blossom scenery. This riverside path is also one of the most romantic walking routes loved by locals, particularly enchanting at night under the soft illumination, making it a favored spot for evening strolls.

Hours: Open 24 hours
Admission: Free
Transportation: Take city bus “Ginkaku-ji-mae” and walk 5 mins (northern end of Philosopher’s Path); or take subway Tozai Line “Keage” and walk 10 mins (southern end of Philosopher’s Path)

Maruyama Park

When it comes to spring cherry blossoms, Maruyama Park in Kyoto — a place famous for its crowds, hanami parties, and drinking celebrations — surely comes to mind. Covering nearly 90,000 square meters, the vast garden is planted with around 900 weeping and Somei Yoshino cherry trees. In this high-demand park, an annual “battle for spots” ensues, with some people even sleeping overnight in the park. The intensity of the competition is easy to imagine.

The massive weeping cherry tree in the center of the park is one of Japan’s three most famous night-blooming cherry trees, known as “Maruyama’s Night Cherry.” Although its branches are not as lush as in the past, its majestic presence remains. If you’re visiting Kyoto in cherry blossom season, be sure to set aside an evening to admire its night bloom.

Hours: Open 24 hours
Admission: Free
Transportation: Take city bus lines 100 or 206 and get off at “Maruyama”; or take Keihan “Gion-Shijo” and walk 5 mins; or take Hankyu “Kawaramachi” and walk 8 mins

Arashiyama

The cherry blossoms in the Arashiyama area mainly consist of Somei Yoshino and wild mountain cherry varieties. Stretching from Matsunoo Taisha along the Katsura River up to Togetsukyo Bridge and Kameyama Park, there are about 1,500 cherry trees in total — a significant number that makes this one of Kyoto’s most iconic cherry blossom viewing spots.

For the best panoramic view of the blossoming cherry trees in Arashiyama, the observation deck at Kameyama Park is highly recommended. If you’d prefer to take things slowly and enjoy a casual hanami bento meal, head to Nakanoshima Park instead.

Hours: Open 24 hours
Admission: Free
Transportation: Take Hankyu or Keifuku Electric Railway Arashiyama Line to “Arashiyama,” or JR to “Saga-Arashiyama” to reach the Arashiyama area

Gion Shirakawa

The Gion Shirakawa area preserves many historic buildings. A roughly 160-meter east-west and 100-meter north-south zone centered around Shinbashi-dori has been designated as a “Traditional Buildings Preservation District.”

There are about 40 cherry trees in the Shirakawa area — not a huge number, but strolling along the stone-paved paths and admiring the blooming cherry blossoms blending with Kyoto’s traditional wooden machiya houses and tea shops creates a beautiful, elegant scene full of old-capital charm that attracts visitors from all over the world. There’s also evening illuminations here, which enhance the atmosphere even more than during the daytime.

Hours: Open 24 hours
Admission: Free
Transportation: Take Keihan Railway to “Gion-Shijo” and walk 5 mins; or take Hankyu Railway to “Kawaramachi” and walk 10 mins

Yamashina Suiro & Jōren Falls