The cherry blossom season starts every March, and when it comes to going to Kyoto to see the blossoms, everyone is surely familiar. During the Qingming holiday, book your flight—a three-hour plane ride—and you can lose yourself in a pink wave. But is that really enough? For busy professionals, time is precious, and knowing how to make the most of the cherry blossoms is an art. When to go, where to go, and how to enjoy them? This Kyoto cherry blossom travel guide, compiled by travel expert Xiu, will get even beginners fully up to speed.
Top Cherry Blossom Spots & Hidden Gems
There are countless Kyoto cherry blossom spots that are too many to list. Whether it’s daytime Instagram-worthy hotspots, romantic night views under the blossoms, or strolling along peaceful, less-crowded cherry-lined streets, there’s a different view for every hour of the day. To make the most of your cherry blossom map and itinerary, here are six must-visit spots we highly recommend.
Arashiyama | One of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots
When cherry blossom season arrives, Arashiyama is covered in a sea of blooming cherry trees. If you want to experience the most beautiful scenery in Kyoto, Arashiyama is definitely the top choice. In addition to the classic riverside paths, many temples and shrines are also photogenic havens.
One of the must-visit spots in Arashiyama is Tenryu-ji Temple. Enjoy the view of cherry trees reflected in the lake from above—it’s an experience you won’t forget. To get around Arashiyama with ease, the Sagano Romantic Train is a popular option. It offers gorgeous views along the Hozugawa River valley, but train tickets sell out quickly during cherry blossom season, so be sure to book yours early.
?Address: Arashiyama, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
?Transportation: Take a train to Saga-Arashiyama Station (JR), Arashiyama Station (Keifuku Electric Railway), or Arashiyama Station (Hankyu Railway)
?Admission: Free
?Best Season: Late March to Early April
Yanaginoen | A Must-See Cherry Blossom Experience
Compared to other famous cherry blossom spots, Yanaginoen is a bit harder to reach and slightly more expensive, which is why many travelers skip it. But don’t let that scare you off—its mysterious charm has attracted numerous celebrities, making it arguably Kyoto’s No. 1 hidden cherry blossom gem.
Originally private property, Yanaginoen has recently opened to the public for a fee, but it still retains the natural, simple beauty of a secret garden. Spanning over 13,000 square meters with more than 400 cherry trees, it’s a paradise where visitors can fully indulge in the beauty of cherry blossoms.
?Address: 3 Yanaigatakeyacho, Ohkita-yama, Kita Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
?Transportation: From subway Kitaoji Station, take bus 205 to Goryotenmangu-mae, then transfer to the Yanagino-bound bus and get off at the final stop
?Admission: 300–1500 yen
?Best Season: Early April to Late April
?Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM)
★ Recommended Attraction: Miyanoshi Shrine
Maruyama Park | Have Lunch with the Cherry Blossoms
Also known as Maruyama Park, this place should be familiar to many. If you’re dreaming of a relaxing picnic on a grassy field scattered with falling cherry petals, this park will not disappoint.
As Kyoto’s oldest park, Maruyama Park is connected to the famous Yasaka Shrine, and it’s just a short walk to Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji. The cherry blossoms here attract large crowds both day and night. The most famous sight is the weeping cherry tree in the center of the park called Gion Night Cherry, whose drooping branches are covered in gorgeous blooms. You can’t miss it if you want the most beautiful cherry blossom photos.
?Address: Maruyamacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture (east entrance of Yasaka Torii)
?Transportation: About 8 minutes on foot from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line
?Admission: Free
?Best Season: April
★ Recommended Attractions: Hanami Lane, Yasaka Shrine
Okazaki Park | Japan’s Most Beautiful Night Cherry Blossom Spot
Okazaki Park spans a vast area and has undergone various renovations over the past century, once housing a library, a zoo, and more. In addition to outdoor leisure activities such as cherry blossom viewing, Okazaki Park is also a comprehensive cultural hub where you can immerse yourself in art and literature. After being selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Parks in 1990, the park has been dedicated to preserving its ecology and historical heritage. During cherry blossom season, the cherry trees along the Suirokaku Canal bloom competitively in a stunning display known as the Okazaki Cherry Blossom Corridor. And don’t miss the classic nighttime illumination at Okazaki Park—it’s an absolute must-see!
?Address: Okazaki Saishoji-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
?Transportation: A 10-minute walk from Keihan Electric Railway Tofukuji Station or a 10-minute walk from Kyoto Municipal Subway Higashiyama Station
?Admission: Free
?Best season: April
Kiyomizu-dera Temple | The Premier Nighttime Cherry Blossom Spot in Kyoto
Nestled between Eastern Kiyomizu and Western Arashiyama, both are iconic sightseeing spots in Kyoto. Kiyomizu-dera Temple is located on the eastern side of Mount Higashiyama and is one of Kyoto’s most renowned tourist attractions. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. This ancient temple has been preserved since the Nara period and features the world-famous Kiyomizu Stage. From the approximately four-story stage, you can gaze out over the cityscape—a truly breathtaking view!
During cherry blossom season, the area becomes bustling with crowds. Along the sloping paths leading up to the temple, numerous shops line the way, offering views of the temple’s halls and shrines. It’s guaranteed to fill up your camera roll!
?Address: 1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
?Transportation: Take a city bus to Kiyomizu-michi or Gojozaka and walk about 10 minutes
?Admission: ¥300 during the day, ¥400 at night
?Best season: Mid-March to mid-April
?Opening hours: 6:00–18:00 (closing time varies by season)
★Recommended attraction: Fushimi Inari Taisha
Uegaito Dike | A Stunning Cherry Blossom Tree-lined Path
Uegaito Dike is located in Yawata City, Kyoto. As soon as you exit the station, you’ll see cherry trees scattered all around. During cherry blossom season, signs along the road will guide you to Uegaito Dike. Around 11 a.m., many cherry blossom viewers gather here for picnics. Compared to other famous cherry blossom spots, this place sees fewer visitors—making it the perfect spot if you want to take beautiful photos without the crowds!
Aside from Uegaito Dike, Yawata City also offers a cable car ride up the mountain from the station next door to admire cherry blossoms at Ishiyama-dera Temple. The next stop is Yodo Station, near which lies the well-known Yodo Green Park, another scenic cherry blossom destination. Right after Yodo is Chushojima Station, where you can also take a boat ride from the Jukkoku-bune Pier to enjoy waterside cherry blossoms along the Fushimi Momoyama area. For a well-rounded one-day cherry blossom trip, this route is relaxing and incredibly rewarding.
?Address: Yawata-shi, Kyoto Prefecture, near Yawata-dera Temple
?Transportation: Take the Keihan Electric Railway to Yawata-shi Station and walk about 10–12 minutes
?Admission: Free
?Best season: Early April
Recommended Kimono Experiences in Kyoto | Transform into the Perfect Cherry Blossom Girl
When visiting Kyoto to see the cherry blossoms, how can you not take plenty of photos as keepsakes? To enhance the joy of cherry blossom viewing, what could be more romantic and fitting than strolling down streets covered in falling petals while wearing a kimono? Below, we compare several kimono rental shops in Kyoto and provide transportation info to help you perfectly transform into a cherry blossom girl!
Yume Kyoto
Yume Kyoto’s kimonos lean toward a younger, trendier style. The shop also offers custom-made kimono services and is conveniently located close to famous cherry blossom spots like Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Yasaka Shrine. Even better, their website and official social media pages offer Chinese-language support, with a clear interface and easy communication. The prices are also quite reasonable, making it a top choice for couples looking to snap tons of photos.
?Branch addresses:
Gion Branch: ACROSS Yasaka Building 4F, 300 North Side of Gion-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Kiyomizu-dera Branch: 362-5 Masuya 2F, Kamigawa Higashi Iriguchi, 5-chome, Kiyomizu-dera, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
?Business hours: 9:00–20:00
? Contact number: 075-354-9110
? Official website:Kyoto Dream
Okamoto Textile
Many of their branches are located near famous tourist spots, making them a top choice for visitors to Kyoto who want to experience wearing a kimono. They offer a wide variety of kimono patterns and high-quality fabrics. Their official website also provides an interface in multiple languages, which is very convenient for foreign tourists. Okamoto’s kimonos are highly sought after, so be sure to make a reservation well in advance.
? Branch addresses:
Main store | 6-chome 546-8, Gojo-bashi Higashi, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City
Yasaka Shrine Store | 301-1, Dōgencho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City
Kiyomizu-zaka Store | 237-1-1, Izumitate, 2-chome, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City
Dōgen Store | 523, Washiocho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City
? Business hours: 9:00–20:00
? Contact number: 075-525-7115
? Official website:Okamoto Textile
Bonus: 2019 Japan cherry blossom forecast website
If you want to see Kyoto submerged in a sea of blooming cherry blossoms, knowing the full bloom period is the most important first step. The cherry blossoms are at their most magnificent about a week after they begin to bloom. To help everyone seize the right timing, the Japan Meteorological website updates its predictions for full bloom dates irregularly as the cherry blossom season approaches each year (2019 data not yet released).
Currently, the four most commonly used websites are:Japan Meteorological Corporation,Japan Meteorological Agency,Weathernews,Weathermap
For real-time flower conditions, you can refer to:Kyoto’s Information
However, the timing of cherry blossom blooms in Japan is greatly influenced by weather, and websites are updated more frequently as the blooming season approaches. Comparing information across multiple sites can help you more accurately predict the best time for cherry blossom viewing.
That’s the complete Kyoto cherry blossom viewing guide compiled by travel blogger An Hsu from Tripresso HowToTrip. Stop worrying about how to plan your spring break itinerary. Whether you’re traveling solo, on a tour, going on a honeymoon, or on a family trip, just follow this map and you’re guaranteed to have a memorable spring in 2019. What are you waiting for? Don’t just think about it—go for it now.
Text by An Hsu | Tripresso HowToTrip Editorial Team