12 Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto 2019
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Kyoto is arguably the most popular city for cherry blossom viewing in Japan. There are numbers of beautiful places to enjoy the amazing collaboration of cherry blossoms and Kyoto’s historical sites. Today, I’m going to introduce 12 most recommended cherry blossom viewing spots in Kyoto!
1. Philosopher’s Walk
Kyoto’s best walking trail. The approx 2 km stoned path along the canal is lined with over 500 cherry blossom trees and visitors can enjoy a pleasant walk under the cherry blossom tunnel.
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2. Takenaka Inari Shrine
One of the most photogenic spot in spring, Takenaka Inari Shrine (竹中稲荷社) is a small temple where not many tourists visit. Numbers of red torii gates stand along the cherry trees and creates the majestic scenery.
Address: 3–64 Yoshidakaguraokacho, Saky0-ward, Kyoto
3. Daigoji Temple
Daigoji (醍醐寺) is a temple complex with over 1,000 cherry trees. It’s famous as the place where the feudal lords of Sengoku period, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, used to hold a Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) party with over 1,000 people in the 16th century.
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4. Heian Shrine
Heian Shrine (平安神宮) is the popular spot for late blooming weeping cherry trees. Also it’s one of the best place in Kyoto to see the cherry blossoms at night.
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5. Hirano Shrine
At Hirano Shrine (平野神社), over 400 cherry blossoms in 60 different kinds can be seen. Some of cherry trees start blooming from mid March till end of April. Also visitors can enjoy the cherry blossoms at night with light-up.
Address:1 Hirano Miyamotocho, Kita-ward, Kyoto
Hours: light-up till 9PM
6. Ninnaji Temple
Ninnaji Temple (仁和寺) is a World Heritage temple founded in 888. It’s best known for the late blooming cherry blossoms called Omuro Cherry, which start blooming usually a week after other cherry trees.
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7. Haradani-en Garden
The private garden which opens exclusively during cherry blossom season. Haradani-en Garden (原谷園) is slightly hard to reach but secretly known as the best hidden spot for cherry blossom viewing.
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8. Kiyomizudera Temple
Kiyomizudera Temple (清水寺) is one of the most popular sights in Kyoto. Few cherry trees can be spotted around the famous balcony and numbers of them are planted in the temple site. Also the temple is lit-up at night.
Address: 1–294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ward, Kyoto
Hours: 06:00 to 18:00
Fee: 400 yen
9. Maruyama Park
Maruyama Park (円山公園) is the most popular public park for cherry blossom viewing in Kyoto where visitors can enjoy the viewing till late night. There are over 680 cherry trees in the park including the significant massive weeping tree which is over 12 m tall.
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10. Togetsukyo Bridge
Arashiyama area is located in the outskirt of Kyoto city and a popular tourist destination where historical sites and nature can be enjoyed together. Togetsukyo bridge (渡月橋) is the icon of the area and most popular photograph spot.
Access: Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo-ward, Kyoto
11. Yodogawa Riverside Park
Yodogawa Riverside Park (淀川河川公園) is located at the border between Osaka and Kyoto, and it’s the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Kansai Region. The astonishing view of the 1.4 km long Sakura tunnel can be enjoyed during the season. Sakura Matsuri (cherry blossom festival) is held during the season.
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12. Kyoto Botanical Garden
The oldest botanical garden in Japan, Kyoto Botanical Garden (京都府立植物園) is home to 200 kinds of cherry trees, and visitors can enjoy 140 of them. About 500 cherry trees are at the vast garden, and some of late-blooming cherry blossoms can be enjoyed till mid April usually.
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Visiting Kyoto for cherry blossoms?? Here is an amazing day-tour introducing famous cherry blossom spots in Kyoto in one day!
Looking for more info about cherry blossoms in Japan? Please check out listed articles too!
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