Cherry Blossom in Kyoto: 15 best locations to vist

From early March the anticipation for cherry blossom in Kyoto is intense.  The ume (peach blossom) are wafting their delicious scent across the city and the first early cherry blossoms are spotted.  The seasonal releases start dropping and by late March the viewing parties and outings are planned for those precious few weeks of peak bloom in early April.  

The Japanese word for cherry blossoms is sakura and it encompasses everything from the flower itself to the season, celebration and flavour.  From the choux cream puffs oozing sakura custard to the special release KitKats, the delicate traditional wagashi to Starbucks sakura frappe, a limited release of sakura is as excitedly anticipated as Christmas morning back home.

We've been very lucky that each of our cherry blossom focused trips to Japan have perfectly captured the season.  From those first early blooms that tease us, through buds bursting, peak blooming and finally petal fall raining petals down on everyone and everything below.  I love it all.

Perhaps it's because I live in the sub-tropics where spring and autumn don't really exist but I have a bit of a love affair going with these delicate pink blooms.  For two weeks, usually in early April in Kyoto, you can happily eat, drink and photograph these pink blossoms from dawn till after dark.  Those evening light-ups are magical too.

There are many places all across Japan to enjoy and celebrate the cherry blossom season but Kyoto is one of my favourites.  It has such a variety of locations in close proximity to each other.  These are my top Kyoto sakura spots and events, I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Jump to:

• 9 of the best viewing spots for cherry blossom in Kyoto
• The best Kyoto cherry blossom events
• Take part in hanami
• Top tips for your cherry blossom in Kyoto visit

9 of the best viewing spots for cherry blossom in Kyoto

 1.  Kiyomizudera

Kiyomizudera is a large temple complex that is well worth a visit in any season but during the blossom, it really is something special.  During springtime, there are special evening opening hours and light-up events or you can attend the Seiryu-e parade at the temple.

2. Philosopher's Path

The Philosopher's Path is a walking path along the Shishigatani canal lined with cherry trees, maples and camellias.  It runs for about 2km from Ginkakuji (the silver temple) in the north to Nanzen-ji in the south.  There are a lot of interesting places to stop along the way so it's worth walking the full length.  These ones are also lit at night, for an evening stroll I'd recommend the Ginkakuji end.  Following the link for more details to help plan your approach.

3.  Maruyama Park

Maruyama Park is behind Yasaka Shrine in central Kyoto.  The park is the main spot for hanami gatherings in the city.  There's a lively feel and during weekends and evenings, it will be packed.  There's a spectacular weeping cherry tree in the centre which is equally impressive day and night.

4.  Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace dates back to when Kyoto was the capital of Japan in the Heian period.  There are a lot of cherry trees here but at the northern end around Konoe Pond is an impressive grouping of weeping cherry trees.  We found these were in peak a little ahead of other places in the city.

5.  Nijo Castle

The castle grounds at Nijo Castle have a huge Sakura display and it's a top spot for the evening light-up.  The trees here are a mix of early, standard and late blooming so there is an extended display.

6.  Arashiyama

The hillside in Arashiyama along the river is a spectacular sight when in full bloom although we found it was slightly later hitting peak than the rest of the city.  This is a great area to visit generally and for impressive Sakura the Zen temple of Tenryuji is excellent.

7.  Ryoanji

Ryoanjiis one of my favourite zen temples, not only does sakura peep above the walls of the enclosed meditation rock garden but take a walk around the lake afterwards, the blossoms flow from the lake edge, through the garden and up into the hillside beyond.

8.  Daigo-ji temple

The cherry trees at Daigo-ji temple have been celebrated, with good reason, since the 16th century when Hideyoshi Toyotomi hosted Sakura viewing parties here.  This is a huge temple complex extending all the way up the mountain if you are up to the climb.  It has over 1000 cherry trees that look stunning in full bloom.  You'll need the Tozai subway line to get out here, it's a little further than some of the others but if you catch it right or can make it for the annual cherry blossom viewing parade it's well worth it.

9.  Heian Shrine

Another great pick would be Heian Shrine in central Kyoto.  While access to the shrine and grounds is free there is a small fee to enter the walled garden area but it's well worth it, it's one of the best displays of weeping cherry blossom.

The best Kyoto cherry blossom events

Evening Light-up events

One of the most anticipated annual Sakura events is the nightly light-ups held in several of the temples and parks.  Some of these are free entry while others require an entry fee/donation.  Some of the best free illuminations include the trees over the canals in central Kyoto especially the Shirakawa area, the Philosopher's Path and the famous weeping cherry in Maruyama Park.  Paid events occur across the city but Kiyomizudera is a must-see, Nijo Castle and Kodaiji are highly recommended.

The Geisha Spring Dance

Another spring event that coincides with the cherry blossom in Kyoto is the geisha spring dances.  We went to the Miyako Odori performed by the Maiko and Geiko of the Gion Kobu district.  It was a wonderful experience and we'd recommend the tea service.  It's not as intimate as a personal tea ceremony lesson if you want to actually learn about the customs around tea but it is the only way for most of us to see it performed by geisha.

The Imperial Palace Special Opening

The Imperial Palace special opening takes place in the first week of April not only to admire the beautiful display of trees by the lake but you can also wander through the enclosed palace grounds at this time of year without a booking or tour.

The sakura parade at Daigo-ji Temple

The Taiko Hanami Gyoretsu Procession at Daigo-ji Temple takes place on April 12th and is a recreation of Hideyoshi Toyotomi's viewing party in the 16th century.  Hideyoshi was one of the three great unifiers of Japan and this event is extremely popular with Japanese locals and visitors making it extremely crowded but absolutely worth it.

The dragon parade at Kiyomizudera Temple

The blue dragon of Kiyomizudera temple makes a spring appearance for Seiryu-e on March 15-17 and April 3.  The April event often coincides with a great display of sakura blossom at the temple as it did for us.

Take part in hanami

Hanami is the Japanese word for the cherry blossom viewing parties.  They're hard to miss with large blue tarpaulins spread out and crowds of people eating, drinking and socialising in the fresh air beneath the flowering trees.

Although people usually gather in larger groups there's no reason not to have your own mini hanami.  Most of the supplies you'll need are available for a couple of dollars at the 100 yen shops.  Arrive early to claim your spot, the popular areas fill up fast, stake out your spot but don't take up an unreasonable amount of space.  When you're picking a location consider where the toilets are for convenience and rubbish bins which can overflow and be a bit too smelly later in the day.

Most parks and public spaces with significant cherry trees are available for hanami but there are a few places where it isn't allowed.  Watch for signs and take your cue from the locals, if it's a gorgeous spot and no one has staked it out there is probably a reason.

Before you head out to pick up a bento, some snacks from the convenience store or some tasty treats from a bakery or department store.   Some of the larger hanami areas like Maruyama Park will also have festival food stalls selling all the popular favourites like okonomiyaki, takoyaki, taiyaki, toffee strawberries and dango.

Top tips for your cherry blossom in Kyoto visit

1. It's impossible to hit every spot at the peak of the season, after all, it only lasts a couple of days.  Having said that the anticipation of watching the first buds burst is part of the fun and many would say that Hana Fubuki (the petal fall) is really the very best time.  Broken down Hana Fubuki means flower (Hana) snowstorm (Fubuki) and it truly is like being in a swirling storm of soft fragrant petals as the wind picks them up and blows them around.
   
2. As the time for your visit gets closer keep an eye on the sakura-zensen, the blooming forecast for the city.  We have used this simplified English update on a couple of visits.
   
3. If your timing is slightly off for the cherry blossom in Kyoto you might be able to catch them nearby. Other places may be a few weeks different in their peak bloom timing because of altitude and other factors.  At the bottom of this post, I'll mention some options and link a post on side trips you can make in a day from Kyoto.
   
4. Catching a falling petal is good luck, or so the children believe.  I chased and caught a few just in case.  On the other hand, don't touch the flowering branches or pick a petal from the tree.
   
5. You will often see young women walking around in kimono and their best yukata during blossom time.  In addition to being a great reason to get dressed up and walk through the city, many locations will give them free entry for wearing traditional dress as a little incentive.

Sakura is a very special season to the Japanese and once you have experienced it once you might become as hooked as we are.  If you have a few more days and the blossoms are still going there are many viable day trips from a Kyoto base where the cherry blossom will make your experience extra special.  Our post on the best day trips out of Kyoto give some ideas for side trips you might try but at this time of year, I'd highly recommend Himeji Castle, Nagahama, Kanazawa and both the Shukkei-en garden and Miyajima Island in Hiroshima.