Local tells Top 10 best places to see cherry blossoms in Kyoto,2018

Hi,I’m Keiko from Osaka!

I go to kyoto to see cherry blossoms every year and I can’t wait for the spring to come!

It makes me so happy to see cherry blossoms in full bloom under the blue sky.

There are many good places to see beautiful cherry blossoms in Kyoto.

I am happy to share with you my top 10 best places where you can enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms including hidden places in Kyoto!

Local tells Top 10 best places to see cherry blossoms in Kyoto,2018!

1. Haradani-en/原谷苑

Haradani-en is a hidden place to see cherry blossoms where only locals know about.

It is a privately owned garden which is famous for beautiful cherry blossoms, especially Benishidare.

The Benishidare here are literally like a cherry blossoms tunnel, and many people come and see the cherry blossoms from outside of Kyoto.

You can enjoy about 400 and 20 types of cherry trees including someiyoshino.

Haradani-en was selected “the cherry blossoms you must see before you die ” in Japan.

I would say this cherry blossom is the most beautiful one, and I strongly recommend you to see them.

It is required to pay entrance fee to get in the garden.The entrance fee changes depends on the season between 300〜1500 yen.

Address: 36 Okitayamaharadaniini-cho , Kitaku, Kyoto
Location: 10 minutes by taxi from Kitaoji station (subway) or Enmachi station (JR line), 15 minutes by taxi from Sai-in station (Hankyu line), 5 minutes by taxi from Kinkakuji or Waratenjinmae
Phone: 075-492-1963
Admission:300〜1500 yen
Cherry blossom forecast in 2018: Early April to End of April

2.Daigoji/醍醐寺

Daigoji is also a popular place for cherry blossoms in Kyoto as it is called “Hana-no-Daigo” (Cherryblossom’s Daigo).

It is because Hideyoshi Toyotomi who is a shogun (a general) hold a cherry blossom viewing which is called “Daigo-no-hanami”.

You will enjoy various species of cherry blossoms: Kawazu-sakura, Shidarezakura, Someiyoshino,Yamazakura, Yaezakura, Daibenishidare and Daiyamazakura.

These different kinds of cherry blossoms come out at different times.

Therefore you can enjoy cherry blossoms for 3 weeks at Daigoji which is much longer than other cherry blossom viewing spots which usually you can only only for a week.

Address: Daigo Higashi Ojicho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
Location: Daigoji-mae station (Keihan Bus), 10 minutes walk from Tozai Subway Daigo station
Phone: 075-571-0002
Admission:600〜800 yen 　
Cherry blossom forecast in 2018:　From the end of March through the first several days on April

3.Philosopher’s Path (Tetsugaku-no-michi哲学の道)

Not far from Nanzenji, there is a famous path which is called Philosopher’s Path (Tetsugaku-no-michi).

This path is one of the most famous path for beautiful cherry blossoms in Kyoto.

You would think of the word “cherry blossoms tunnel” once you see this beautiful path.It’s really breathtaking to go through this tunnel of cherry blossoms.

When you look down on the surface of the stream, you can see the petals flowing.

This scene is also beautiful and graceful. Most cherry blossoms are Someiyoshino here.
s a famous path which is called Philosopher’s Path (Tetsugaku-no-michi).

This path is one of the most famous path for beautiful cherry blossoms in Kyoto.

You would think of the word “cherry blossoms tunnel” once you see this beautiful path.It’s really breathtaking to go through this tunnel of cherry blossoms.

When you look down on the surface of the stream, you can see the petals flowing.

This scene is also beautiful and graceful. Most cherry blossoms are Someiyoshino here.

I love Philosopher’s Path so I visit here in spring or in autumn every year.

This path goes to Ginkaku-ji, so you can enjoy not only the place of great beauty but also another popular place for sightseeing.

Location: Between Ginkaku-ji and Nyakuoji-jinja, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Admission:Free
Cherry blossom forecast in 2018: From early April through middle April

4.Kyoto Gyoen/京都御苑

Kyoto Gyoen has about 1000 cherry blossoms including various kinds of Satozakura.

You can enjoy a grove of spectacular shidare-zakura (weeping cherry trees) at Kyoto Gyoen.

Another attraction of Kyoto Gyoen is that it also has ume trees(Plum Tree) which are also popular and famous blossoms to see in Japan.

There still remains some historical ancient architectures, so you can feel real ancient of Japan.

Address: 3 Kyotogyoen , Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto
Locatin: Marutamachi station (subway), Imadegawa station (subway)
Phone: 075-211-6348
Admission:Free
Cherry blossom forecast in 2018: From the end of March through the end of April

5.Nanzenji/南禅寺

Nanzenji is a famous place for seeing beautiful cherry blossoms. (You can also enjoy beautiful red leaves during autumn season.)

These three places below are the best cherry blossom’s viewing spots of Nanzenji.

San-mon・・・The main Gate of Nanzen-ji .Walking up to San-mon’s second floor, you can see spectacular cherry blossom’s view.

Hatto・・・The main Gate of Nanzen-ji.It used to be the former head priest’s residence.It is free of charge to see cherry blossoms if you don’t go inside of Hatto.

Hojo Garden・・・It is famous for it’s rock and sand garden.

There are about 200 cherry blossoms including Someiyoshino and Yamazakura at Nanzenji

Address: Nanzenjifukuchicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto city
Phone: 075-771-0365
Location: 10 minutes walk from Kyoto City Subway line Keage station, 10 minutes walk from Nanzenji-Eikando-michi bus stop (Kyoto City Bus, bus number 5)
Admission:300〜500 yen
Cherry blossom forecast in 2018:From end of March to early April

6.Kiyomizu temple/清水寺

Kiyomizu temple is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Kyoto.

You can enjoy about 1000 cherry blossoms including Someiyoshino and Yamazakura.

The view from Keidai is so fantastic and magnificent. You will see “Japan” landscape there. If you come to Kiyomizutemple, don’t miss Maruyama park which is located not far from Kiyomizu temple.

Both places are lightened up at night, and you can enjoy the majestic mood there.

Address: 1-294, Higashiyamaku Kiyomizu, Kyoto
Location: 25 minutes from Keihan line Kiyomizu-gojo station
Phone:075-551-1234
Cherry blossom forecast in 2018:From end of March to early April
The lightened up period:18：00～21：00　From 30th of March to 8th of April

7. Maruyama park(円山公園)

There is a really popular shidarezakura which is called “Gion-no-yozakura” ( cherry blossom in Gion which is seen at night).

This scene is so mystical and beautiful and breath taking, which I also went to see the cherry blossom.

You can see about 680 cherry blossoms there including someiyoshino, Yaezakura, Yaeshidarezakura.

Maruyama park is located close to Kiyomizu temple which is also a popular place to see cherry blossoms that you can stop by Kiyomizu temple for sight seeing.

Also, it is easy to access to shopping areas and other tourism areas from here.

Address: 473 Maruyama-cho , Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Location: 15 minutes walk from Kawaramachi station (Hankyu), 10 minutes walk from Gionshijo station (Keihan line), 10 minutes walk from Higashiyama station (subway), 5 minutes walk from Gion station (Keihan bus, Kyoto City Bus)
Cherry blossom forecast in 2018: From the end of March to early April
The lightened up period: From March 24 to April 9,2018

8. Gion Shirakawa/祇園白川

Gion Shirakawa is a famous place not only for seeing cherry blossoms but also for many good restaurants.
The best thing of this place is the convenience of access to other sites for sightseeing or hotels.

You can see mainly Someiyoshino with typical “Japan” landscape. The path is a stone pavement, and there are some Chaya (teahouse) along this path.

This place is lightened up at night, and the view is so beautiful and magical. It is pretty easy to access to Kiyomizu temple and Maruyama park which are also popular Sakura places.

Location: 5 minutes walk from Keihan line Gion-shijo station, the same line Sanjo station or Hankyu line Kawaramachi station
Cherry blossom forecast in 2018: The end of March through the first several days of April

9. Nijo-jo/二条城

You can enjoy about 50 kinds and 400 cherry blossom trees including Fugenzo and Fukuroju which are pretty rare species at Nijo-jo.

This place is also one of the most popular places among people who want to enjoy cherry blossoms.

Nijo-jo is a world heritage site, so you can enjoy the castle and the cherry blossoms at the same time.

It is lightened up at night, and you can go inside for free if you’re wearing kimono.

It would be a great opportunity to enjoy Japanese culture, so you should try it!

Address:541NijodoriHorikawanishiirinijojo-cho , Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Location: 5 minutes walk from Nijojomae station (subway)
Phone: 075-841-0096
Cherry blossom forecast in 2018: From the end of March to early April
The lightened up period:18:00~21:30 From March 23 through April 15 in 2018

10.Arashiyama/嵐山

Arashiyama indicates an area centralizing the bridge called Togetsu-kyo across Oigawa.

From the bridge, you will see the pink surface on the mountains.

This view will make you realize clearly that you are “indeed” in Kyoto.

If you have a time, I recommend you to go to Tenryu-ji which is registered as the world heritage.

You can see about 200 cherry blossoms including Shidarezakura, Someiyoshino and Yaezakura.

Location: 5-10 minutes form JR line Saga-Arashiyama station/for getting to the very center of Arashiyama, take Randen line (keifuku Railways) and get off at Keifuku Arashiyama station
Cherry blossom forecast in 2018: From March 28 to April 5

Top 10 best Cherry blossoms spots ranking in Kyoto

Lastly, I would like to tell you My Top 10 Cherry blossoms spots ranking in Kyoto.

1. Haradani-en・・・A hidden place to see cherry blossoms.
2. Daigoji・・・You can enjoy various species of cherry blossoms.
3. Philosopher’s Path・・・“cherry blossoms tunnel” is so beautiful
4. Kyoto Gyoen・・・You can enjoy a grove of spectacular shidare-zakura (weeping cherry trees).
5. Nanzenji・・・a famous place for seeing beautiful cherry blossoms.
6. Kiyomizu Temple・・・The view from Keidai is so fantastic and magnificent.
7. Maruyama Park・・・There is a really popular shidarezakura which is called “Gion-no-yozakura”.
8. Gion Shirakawa・・・You can see mainly Someiyoshino with typical “Japan” landscape.
9. Nijo-jo・・・You can enjoy about 50 kinds and 400 cherry blossom trees
10. Arashiyama ・・・The view from the bridge is so spectacular.

I hope you’ll enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms in Kyoto!



Click here for related information:
Haradanien Guide in Kyoto!The most beautiful Cherry blossoms in Japan
Local tells Top 3 best Cherry blossom spots in Osaka!