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2023.3.16
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A must-see cherry blossom spot in Kyoto

[2023] 22 must-see cherry blossom spots in Kyoto

The cold winter has passed, and now we can feel the warmth of spring sunshine. If you come to Kyoto, you can't miss this spot! I definitely want to go there! This time, we would like to introduce some of Kyoto's representative cherry blossom viewing spots that will lead you to such a feeling.

Contents of this article

1.
Enjoy cherry blossoms for a long time [Ninna-ji Temple] / Along the Randen Kitano Line<br>
2.
Cherry blossoms with a history of their own adorn the shrine grounds [Kamigamo Shrine] / Kamigamo<br>
3.
Cherry blossom trees along the Kamo River [Hanki no Michi] / Kitayama<br>
4.
To the splendidly decorated World Heritage Site [Nijo Castle] / Horikawa Oike<br>
5.
Cherry blossoms adorn the stone garden and Kagayoike Pond [Ryoanji Temple] / Randen Kitano Line<br>
6.
Beautiful contrast between the scenic garden and cherry blossoms [Tenryuji Temple] / Arashiyama<br>
7.
Hirano Shrine is famous for its nighttime cherry blossoms illuminated by paper lanterns [Hirano Shrine] / Kitano Hakubai-cho<br>
8.
To Daigo, the place of flowers loved by Hideyoshi [Daigoji Temple] / Daigo<br>
9.
Admire 50-year-old weeping cherry trees [Myoshinji Temple, Tenzoin] / Hanazono<br>
10.
The contrast of red weeping cherry blossoms and vermilion is beautiful [Heian Jingu Shrine] / Okazaki<br>
11.
Tunnel of cherry blossoms loved by philosophers [Philosopher's Path] / Kitashirakawa area<br>
12.
Kyoto Gyoen, where a variety of cherry blossoms bloom in elegance [Kyoto Imperial Park] / Kyoto Imperial Palace area<br>
13.
To the stage of Kiyomizu surrounded by cherry blossoms! [Kiyomizu Temple<br>
14.
Maruyama Park, Kyoto's most famous cherry blossom viewing spot.<br>
15.
Sanmon Tower is open to the public for the first time in nine years during the spring lighting [Chion-in Temple]/Higashiyama<br>
16.
Red weeping cherry trees with the five-story pagoda in the background [To-ji Temple] / To-ji Temple<br>
17.
Enchanted by weeping cherry blossoms [Kodaiji Temple] / Gion<br>
18.
A famous place called "Cherry Blossom Palace" [Kurumaori Shrine] / Randen Line<br>
19.
Cherry blossoms on the stone pavement in Kyoto [Gion Shirakawa] / Gion, Kyoto<br>
20.
Collaboration of brick buildings and cherry blossoms [Biwako Sosui Boat] / Okazaki<br>
21.
Cherry blossom cruise with an Edo-era atmosphere [Fushimi Jujikkoku-bune] / Fushimi<br>
22.
Enjoy cherry blossoms for a long time [Kiyamachi-dori] / Kiyamachi<br>

1. Enjoy cherry blossoms for a long time [Ninna-ji Temple] / Along the Randen Kitano Line<br>

Ninna-ji Temple is a monzeki temple with deep ties to the Imperial Family, and for many years has been headed by a member of the Imperial Family.
In addition to someiyoshino cherry trees in front of the Kondo Hall and weeping cherry trees in front of the bell tower, about 200 late-blooming "Omuro-zakura" cherry trees, known as a synonym for Ninna-ji Temple, bloom in the cherry garden from mid-April. The contrast between the elegant architecture and the cherry blossoms is magnificent.

Ninnaji Temple

Ninna-ji Temple Omuro Cherry Blossom, Goten, North Garden Photo by Sohonzan Ninna-ji Temple

Ninnaji Temple

Best time to visit: Early to mid-April
Hours: Mar-Nov 9:00-17:00, Dec-Feb 9:00-16:00 * Ninna-ji Gosho Garden
Admission: Gosho Garden, 800 yen for adults, free for high school students and younger

Ninnaji Temple

  • Nina
  • 33 Omuro Ouchi, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
  • A short walk from the bus stop "Omuro Ninnaji"
    5 minutes walk from Randen "Omuro-Ninnaji Station"
  • Tel.075-461-1155

2. Cherry blossoms with a history of their own adorn the shrine grounds [Kamigamo Shrine] / Kamigamo<br>

Kamowakeikazuchi Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto. It is commonly known as Kamigamo Shrine.
The 150-year-old Saio-zakura (cherry blossoms) with red, double-layered weeping branches, Gosho-zakura (cherry blossoms in the Imperial Palace) with white flowers that open in late March, Bade-shino-zakura (cherry blossoms at the shrine's entrance), and whipping-horse cherry blossoms line the side of the approach that extends in a straight line from Ichi-no-torii (first torii) to Ni-no-torii (second torii). In addition, there is a cherry tree with only red blossoms beyond the second torii (second shrine gate), and a variety of cherry trees with different origins are on display.

Kamigamo Shrine

(Photo courtesy of Kamigamo Shrine)

Kamigamo Shrine

Best time to visit: Mid-March to late April
Hours of visitation/5:30-17:00
Admission fee/free

Kamigamo Shrine (Kamowakeikazuchi Shrine)

  • Kamigamo Shrine
  • 339 Motoyama, Kamigamo, Kita Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
  • Short walk from Kamigamo Jinja-mae bus stop
  • Tel.075-781-0011

3. Cherry blossom trees along the Kamo River [Hanki no Michi] / Kitayama<br>

[A walking path [half-tree path] on the west side of the Kyoto Botanical Garden.]
Along the Kamo River from Kitayama Ohashi Bridge to Kitaoji Bridge, double-stemmed weeping cherry trees create a tunnel of cherry blossoms that stretches for about 800 meters. From near Aoi Bridge to near Kamigamo Bridge, there is a row of Someiyoshino cherry trees, and the view from the other side of the river is beautiful.

shortcut
shortcut

Best viewing time: Early to mid-April
Hours & Fees / Free to explore

road of the half-tree

  • spirit of a child
  • Shimogamo-Hangi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
  • Kitayama Bridge side
    2 minutes walk from bus stop "Kitayama-bashi higashizume".
    10 min. walk from "Kitayama" subway station.
    Kitaoji Bridge side
    3 min. walk from bus stop "Botanical Garden-mae".
    10 min. walk from Kitaoji Subway Station

4. To the splendidly decorated World Heritage Site [Nijo Castle] / Horikawa Oike<br>

Nijo Castle was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu and has been the setting for numerous historical events.
The castle is home to a wide variety of cherry trees, including someiyoshino cherry trees, mountain cherry trees, weeping cherry trees, and satozakura cherry trees, as well as approximately 300 cherry trees in 50 varieties. During the festival, the cherry blossoms are lit up at night and projection mapping is performed in the historical space. Enjoy the World Heritage Site in all its splendor.

Cherry blossoms at Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle

Best time to visit/Mid-March to mid-April (usual)
Opening hours/8:45-16:00 (Closing hours/17:00)
*The Honmaru Palace is currently closed for conservation and repair work.
Ninomaru Palace viewing reception hours/8:45-16:10


Nijo Castle Cherry Blossom Festival 2023
Period / Friday, March 17, 2023 - Saturday, April 15, 2023
Hours/8:45-16:00 (Closing time/17:00)
Admission: Adults 1,300 yen, junior high and high school students 400 yen, elementary school students 300 yen
Including admission to Ninomaru Palace
NAKED FLOWERS 2023 Cherry Blossoms at Nijo Castle, a World Heritage Site
Period / Friday, March 17, 2023 - Saturday, April 15, 2023
Hours/18:00-21:00 (Closing time/22:00)
Admission/ Mon-Thu, junior high school students and older: 1,600 yen, elementary school students: 1,000 yen
Friday-Sunday, national holidays: Junior high school students and older: 2000 yen, Elementary school students: 1400 yen
April 1 & 8: Junior high school students and older: 2,400 yen, Elementary school students: 1,800 yen
The above prices are for advance purchase; additional fees are required for day-of-performance tickets.
*Date-specific tickets for April 1 and 8

Nijo Castle

  • conjugated
  • 541 Nijojo-machi, Nijo-dori Horikawa-nishiiru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • A short walk from Nijojo-mae Subway Station
  • Tel.075-841-0096

5. Cherry blossoms adorn the stone garden and Kagayoike Pond [Ryoanji Temple] / Randen Kitano Line<br>

Ryoan-ji Temple is an old temple famous for its dry landscape garden called "Ishi-niwa," which expresses the beauty of Zen.
The weeping cherry trees peeking over the wall of the Hojo Garden, a dry landscape stone garden, and the mountain cherry trees and someiyoshino cherry trees moving on the surface of the water of Kagayoike, a garden with a circular garden with a pond, are in full bloom. During the blooming season, approximately 400 cherry trees adorn the grounds of the temple and the cherry blossom garden can be enjoyed.

Ryoanji Temple

Image courtesy of Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple

Image courtesy of Ryoanji Temple

Best time to visit: Mid-March to early April
Hours of visitation / 8:30-16:30, 8:00-17:00 from March to November.
Entrance fee / 500 yen (600 yen from April 2023)

Ryoanji Temple

  • good judge of horses or cattle
  • 13, Ryoanji Goryonoshita-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • Short walk from bus stop "Ryoanji-mae".
    7 min. walk from Keifuku "Ryoanji" station.
  • Tel. 075-463-2216
The information is subject to change. Please contact each store or facility directly for the latest information.
All prices include tax.
※内容の誤りや閉店情報などお気づきの点がございましたら、info@leafkyoto.co.jp までお知らせください。
*Since this site uses automatic translation, the translation may differ from the original Japanese content.

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