Best cherry blossom spots in Kyoto

Best cherry blossom spots in Kyoto

It is no exaggeration to say that cherry blossom season is the most wonderful time of the year in Japan, and many tourists visit the country to enjoy the beautiful view of the dainty pink petals, every year.

This year, the cherry blossoms in Kyoto start blooming from late March, coming into full bloom as it gets closer to early April.

In this feature, we introduce some of the best spots all around Kyoto where you can enjoy viewing the cherry blossoms.

Index : Best cherry blossom spots in Kyoto

1. Arashiyama
2. The Philosopher’s Path
3. Maruyama Park
4. Ninna-ji Temple
5. Kiyomizu-dera Temple

1. Arashiyama

Arashiyama is in the west of Kyoto city, and it is a popular tourist destination that is mainly known for its beautiful bamboo forest, breathtaking cherry blossoms in spring, and heartwarming autumn leaves in fall. The area has also become the setting for stories such as ‘The Tale of Genji’ and ‘The Tale of the Heike’.

The name ‘Arashiyama’ is believed to have originated from the ‘storm-like dance’ of the spring cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. There are about 1,500 Yoshino cherry trees in Arashiyama, which start blooming from mid March to mid April.

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2. The Philosopher’s Path

The Philosopher’s Path stretches for about 2 kilometers along a canal flowing from Nyakuoji Bridge, outside Kumano Nyakuoji Shrine to Ginkakuji intersection. The path was built in 1890 along with the 3.3 kilometers canal, which is a part of the Biwa Canal system. Its name originated from a belief saying that philosophers who lived in the area used to walk along the path in the past.

Kansetsu Hashimoto, a famous Japanese painter, donated 300 Yoshino cherry trees, which all were planted along the canal. Those trees later grew to about 400 trees, and they are commonly known as the ‘Kansetsu Sakura’,

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3. Maruyama Park

Maruyama Park is the oldest park in Kyoto, and it sits between Yasaka Shrine and Jodo sect’s Chio-in temple. The park features approximately 680 cherry trees, making it Kyoto’s largest cherry blossom spot.

When the cherry blossoms are fully blooming, the whole park transforms into a fantastic sea of cherry blossoms. In the park’s center, there is a single white weeping cherry tree, known as ‘Hitoe Shiro Higan Shidarezakura’.

The giant tree has a circumference of 2.8 meters, a height of 12 meters, and branches spreading out 10 meters, making it a popular Kyoto cherry blossom spot for visitors who come to gaze at the magnificent sakura tree.

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4. Ninna-ji Temple

Ninna-ji Temple is the head temple of the Buddhist Shingon sect’s Omuro school, and the magnificent complex features an impressive Niomon (temple gate), an elegant palace, a beautiful main hall, and a stunning five-story pagoda.

There are around 200 cherry trees planted around these buildings, with the weeping cherry tree in front of the bell tower, and the Yoshino cherry tree near the main hall.

The temple is also known for its late-blooming (early to mid April) cherry blossoms called Omurozakura, located in the west of the central gate.

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5. Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, is known for its Kiyomizu Stage, a venue in Kyoto that is famous for both its cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. The stage offers an overlook of the city, attracting millions of tourists throughout the year.

There are around 1,500 Yamazakura and Somei Yoshino cherry trees growing below the stage, creating a sea of cherry blossoms. The best viewing points at this temple are from Kiyomizu Stage and from the Oku-no-in, which are both superb. The cherry trees also look stunning when they’re illuminated at night.

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• Best cherry blossom spots in Tokyo

 

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