Where to Find the Best Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto
Last Updated on 27th June 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
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If you’re planning to visit Kyoto for sakura season, then you’re in for a treat. The entire city is even more beautiful than usual with bursts of pink blooms around almost every corner. Here’s your guide on where to find the best cherry blossoms in Kyoto.

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Hanami
Hanami, 花見, literally means ‘flower viewing’ and is a popular spring activity in Japan that means enjoying the transient beauty of flowers. Although hanami could mean any type of flower, it most commonly refers to cherry blossoms (known as sakura in Japanese).
During springtime, it’s common for people to hang out with their friends to go for a stroll in the park or even picnic under the blossoms. From a distance, many people say that groups of cherry blossoms appear like clouds! Up close they’re just as magical and sitting under a tree while petals rain down on you can quickly become a highlight of your Japan visit.

When is the best time to view the Kyoto cherry blossoms?
The truth is that there’s no precise time to see the cherry blossoms as the precise blooming time changes every year based on weather conditions earlier on in the spring! In 2023, the blooms were at peak around the end of March, whereas in 2024 they are in bloom at the beginning of April!
As such, if you’re looking to plan a trip to Japan in advance, then your safest bet is to book a visit to Kyoto around the first week of April. This way, even if you’ve missed peak bloom (unfortunately peak bloom only tends to last around a week, and less if there’s heavy rain), then at least you’ll still see a few beautiful pink flowers!

Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital
Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over 1000 years, all the way up until it was changed to Tokyo in 1868. Today, it’s a highlight for many visitors heading to Japan and should be on your itinerary whether you’re headed to Japan for 10 days or 3 weeks.
If you’ve never been to Kyoto before, then check out our guides to the best things to do in Kyoto, how to spend one day in Kyoto, how to spend 2 days in Kyoto, and how to spend 3 days in Kyoto.

Cherry blossom locations in Kyoto
Takase River
One of the more underrated spots to enjoy cherry blossoms is along the Takase River. This waterway is actually a canal which stretches for just under 10 km before it meets Uji River at Fushimi port.
During the springtime, Kiyamachi dori street is lined with beautiful blooms. If you’re looking for a unique coffee spot where you can dine al fresco under the blossoms, then I recommend heading to Murmur coffee shop where you can enjoy speciality coffees and sweet toast while admiring the blooms.
If you wish to see some beautiful cherry blossoms illuminated by lights come nightfall, then you’ll want to head back to the Takase river. Visiting at night is even quieter than during the day and you’ll often find that you’re the only person there. The sakura is particularly enchanting when lit from below too so you’ll definitely want to bring your camera along!

Philosopher’s Path
Of all the places to see sakura in Kyoto, one of the very best is Philosopher’s Path. The fairly flat path is located in northeastern Kyoto in the northern Higashiyama district.
Spanning the distance between Ginkaku-ji Temple in the north and Eikan-do Temple in the south, it is named for philosopher professors from Kyoto University.
As this is one of the more popular spots in the city, if you want to capture the blossom with the fewest crowds possible, then I recommend going for sunrise (this will also ensure beautiful lighting for your sakura photos!)


Keiryu Bridge
One of the more unexpected places to spot cherry blossoms in Kyoto is at Keiryu Bridge. This spot is close to the Kyoto Art Museum and has a number of cherry blossoms. You can even capture the sakura framing a nearby Torii Gate if you angle your camera just right.

Along Kamo River
If you love waterside strolls then one thing that you must do while in Kyoto is go for a stroll along the Kamo River. This delightful stretch of water is the main river in the city and is lined with traditional wooden houses.
During the springtime, there are a few trees blooming along the river. And while there aren’t as many cherry trees located here as in some other spots in the city, the beauty of the water, traditional houses, and blooms, make the few trees that are here one of the more special spots in the city.

Togetsukyo bridge
Nestled within the Arashiyama district, an area known for its bamboo grove and collection of temples and shrines, the area surrounding Togetsukyo bridge, particularly on the western side, is filled with an orchard of beautiful cherry blossom trees.
This is a particularly great spot to come for a picnic during cherry blossom season because it’s car free. I recommend bringing some picnic supplies (7-eleven has all kinds of snacks like onigiri and crackers) and heading to the area for a picnic around lunchtime.
If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, then you can even rent a rowboat on the river and enjoy the sakura from the water. After admiring the blossoms close to the water, there are a few other spots in Arashiyama that also have their own blossoming trees.

Monkey Park
Located in the northwestern corner of the city, the Arashiyama Monkey Park is located at the top of a steep path which ascends from the River Katsura. As well as getting to see the troop of over 120 Japanese macaque monkeys, you’ll be able to enjoy fantastic views of Kyoto.
During the springtime, there are a few blossom trees in flower here (though not as many as at the river bank itself). I particularly enjoyed seeing all of the monkeys surrounding the sakura trees!

Tenryru-ji temple
Though there are countless Temples to visit in Kyoto, this one is truly a highlight thanks to its lovely lake and stunning gardens which is covered in pops of pink during the cherry blossom season. I particularly loved all of the weeping blossoms!
If you’re still not convinced then it’s worth noting that the temple also ranked first out of the Five Great Zen Temples of Kyoto. Like most temples, you’ll have to pay a small fee to enter.

Nijo castle
Nijo Castle is actually an expansive complex comprising of fortifications, the Ninomaru Palace, the ruins of the Honmaru Palace, and gardens, among other additional buildings. In the expansive grounds, you’ll find some particularly beautiful cherry blossoms!

Yasaka Padoda
Though there’s not a huge amount of cherry blossoms in the area, if you get the right angle, then you can capture Gion’s famous Yasaka pagoda surrounded by sakura.
The unique aspect of capturing the sakura here are that many of the pink flowers are of the weeping variety! The best time to visit the pagoda is undoubtedly during sunset when everything is bathed in a golden glow.

Maruyama Park
This green space can be found close to in the Higashiyama District, near the famous Gion area (known for its Geishas). It’s actually one of the oldest parks in the city and one of its main attractions is its large weeping cherry tree.
Known as “Shidarezakura,” (and more locally as the weeping tree of Gion) the tree blooms spectacularly during the cherry blossom season. This tree is even illuminated at night, creating a magical atmosphere. The park is pretty among visitors who come to enjoy hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties.
Keage Incline
The Keage incline was originally constructed in the late 19th century as a part of the Lake Biwa Canal project. The incline was built to serve as a railway track which transported boats over the elevation difference between the Lake Biwa Canal and the upper levels of Kyoto.
Today the railway is no longer in use and instead the area is filled with cherry blossom trees. During the spring, visitors can walk up the incline, admire the views, snap photos with the sakura, and even have a picnic.
Shirakawa Canal in Gion
If you’re in search of a nighttime cherry blossom viewing spot, then this is yet another place to head to as the entire area is well illuminated, meaning that the blossoms lining the Shirakawa Canal appear to glow under the artificial lights.
Hirano Shrine
Of course, the sakura often look even more picturesque when set against the backdrop of a castle or shrine and Hirano Shrine is a particularly good example of this. During cherry blossom season, the shrine plays host to the Oukasai Cherry Blossom Festival (Ōka-sai Matsuri).
The cherry blossom event is probably Kyoto’s longest running event as it has taken place on an annual basis since 985! At the Oka-sai on April 10th, a religious ceremony takes place at 10 AM. This is then followed by a procession. Come nightfall, a huge party takes place, with lots of street food vendors and drinks for sale.
During the rest of cherry blossom season, there are a number of events taking place including regular illuminations of the cherry blossom trees. Hirano Shrine is probably home to one of the densest concentrations of cherry blossoms in Kyoto but is still a bit of a hidden gem in comparison to spots like Philosopher’s Path.
Kyoto Botanical Gardens
Those who love botanical gardens are in for a real treat if they visit the Botanical Gardens. Here, you’ll find 450 cherry blossom trees of 130 varieties, meaning that you’ll get to see lots of different types of flowers should you visit during the srping!
Heian Shrine
Though not quite as popular as some of the other cherry blossom spots I’ve featured in this guide, Heian Shrine is a must-see for those who particularly love weeping cherry blossoms (yaebeni shidare).
The shrine is also home to one of the biggest torii gates in Japan and is a great visit for those who will miss the initial cherry blossom season as weeping blossoms tend to bloom a few weeks later than their non-weeping counterparts.
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