The Best 10 Places to See Cherry Blossom in Kyoto

1. OKAZAKI CANAL Okazaki Canal, located near Heian Shrine, is a waterway

that connects to Lake Biwa Canal, the main canal that
brings water to the city of Kyoto from Lake Biwa over
20km away. The lovely sight of weeping cherry blossoms
reflected in the canal waters draws people from near and
far. Take a cherry blossom viewing boat tour down the
length of Okazaki Canal or a stroll on the walking path
alongside the canal.
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20 Shogoin Rengezocho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto
Prefecture, Japan
Atmosphere:
Outdoors

2 ARASHIYAMA DISTRICT
Get away from the more touristy areas of Kyoto and head
west to the Arayashima district, an area that’s well-known
for its graceful bamboo forest but also for its lovely
riverside view of the cherry blossoms. The iconic
Togetsukyo, or ‘Moon Crossing’, Bridge spans the river and
adjacent to the bridge is a park with dozens of sakura
trees.
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Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

3. PHILOSOPHER’S PATH The Philosopher’s Path, or Tetsugaku No Michi（哲学の道

）is 2km stone path that follows a narrow canal. It gets its
name from a famous Japanese philosopher and founder of
the Kyoto School of philosophy, Kitaro Nishida, who used
this path as a meditation spot on his walking commute to
Kyoto University. The Philosopher’s path is lined with
hundreds of cherry blossom trees, which make it an
unforgettable sight during this season and one of the most
popular hanami spots in all of Kyoto.
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Shishigatani Honenin Nishimachi, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City,
Kyoto Prefecture , Japan
Atmosphere:
Outdoors

4. HIRANO SHRINE Hirano Shrine is one of Kyoto’s most famous cherry

blossom viewing spots, dating back as early as the Heian
era. The shrine grounds are planted with more than 400
cherry blossom trees that span over fifty different
varieties, including many rare species that can’t be seen
anywhere else in Kyoto. These various types of sakura
The Best 10 Places to See Cherry Blossom in Kyoto
create a gorgeous spectrum of color ranging from pure
white to brilliant pink.
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1 Hirano Miyamotocho, Kita-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto
Prefecture, Japan
Atmosphere:
Historical Landmark, Peaceful

5. MARUYAMA PARK If you’re looking for a lively and social place to enjoy the
cherry blossoms, the centrally-located Maruyama Park is
one of the most popular places in Kyoto to drink and
mingle under the sakura trees, come day or night.
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Maruyamacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto
Prefecture, Japan
Atmosphere:
Outdoors, Crowded

6 NIJO CASTLE Nijo Castle enjoys a long hanami season, thanks to the
various species of cherry blossom trees located on the
castle grounds, which bloom from as early as the
beginning of May until late April. The castle was once the
Kyoto residence of Ieyasu Tokugawa and later the Imperial
family, and now the castle belongs to the city of Kyoto. It
was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994.
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Mon - Sun:
8:45 am - 5:00 pm
541 Nijōjōchō, Nakagyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 604-8301,
Japan
Visit website

7 KEAGE INCLINE The Keage Incline was once a railway used to transport
ships between the Lake Biwa Canal down to the Okazaki
Canal, which sits at a lower elevation. Today, the railway
tracks still remain but the incline has become a walking
path and popular cherry blossom viewing spot in the
springtime. The sakura tree-lined track creates a tunnel of
blossoms to walk beneath.
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339 Higashikomonoza-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City,
Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Atmosphere:
Historical Landmark, Touristy
The Best 10 Places to See Cherry Blossom in Kyoto
8 Stroll the Traditional Streets of
Arashiyama Take a leisurely stroll along the traditional stone paved
streets of Arashiyama on the western outskirts of Kyoto
City.

Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

9 Togetsukyo Bridge (The Moon

Crossing Bridge) The Moon Crossing Bridge is a historic bridge that crosses
the Katsura River in Arashiyama. It is famous for its scenic
beauty, creating a romantic location to spend with that
special someone.

Saga, Nakanoshimakanyuchi, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto

Prefecture, +81 75-861-1101

10 Ride on a Private Boat in

Arashiyama Rent a private boat on the Hozu River and soak up the
amazing atmosphere and scenic beauty of the area. It is
especially picturesque in spring with cherry blossoms or in
the autumn with fall foliage.

14-4 Nakaoshita-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

11 Sagano Romantic Railway

Take in the amazing seasonal views from the Sagano
Romantic Railway, a sightseeing train through the
beautiful Arashiyama-Sagano area of Kyoto.

Saga Arashiyama Station

12 Sagano Bamboo Forest

The Sagano Bamboo Forest is a magical place that is
beautiful all year round. Avoid the peak times if you don’t
want a crowd.

Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, +81 75-861-0012

The Best 10 Places to See Cherry Blossom in Kyoto
13 Pontocho Alley
Soak up the traditional atmosphere of Gion with an
evening stroll in the atmospheric Pontocho Alley, famous
for its geisha and traditional wooden tea houses.

4220 Sakamotohonmachi, Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, +81 77-

578-0001

14 The Geisha District of Hanami-

koji Street Enjoy an evening stroll along Hanami-koji Street which is a
historic geisha district of Kyoto, lined with traditional
wooden houses and well preserved buildings.

Hanamikoji Dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

15 Shirakawa Street
Shirakawa Street is one of the most beautiful streets in the
ancient capital of Kyoto, stroll along the willow lined canal
and cobblestone street.

Shirakawa-minami Dori, Motoyoshichō, Higashiyama-ku,

Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 605-0087, Japan