[2023] 22 must-see cherry blossom spots in Kyoto
The cherry blossoms, which bloomed two weeks later than last year, are now in full bloom. Even though the peak seems to have passed, there are still places of interest where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in bloom. Soothe your soul with beautiful cherry blossom scenery at these recommended spots loved by Kyoto locals. *The best time to view the cherry blossoms may shift due to weather conditions.
Cherry blossom garden owned by Muraiwa Noen, which handles lumber such as Kitayama cedar.
Normally not open to the public, it is open to the public during the four seasons when the flowers are in bloom. During the cherry blossom season, the vast grounds, covering an area of about 4,000 tsubo (about 1,200 m2), are dyed in cherry blossom colors, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy various types of cherry blossoms such as weeping cherry trees and fugenzou cherry trees.
Best time to visit: Late March to late April
Opening date: March 23 (Saturday) to April 25 (Thursday), 2024 (tentative)
*Subject to change depending on blooming conditions
Opening hours/9:00-17:00 (last admission/16:30)
Entrance fee/Variable - 1,800 yen *Changes depending on the blooming of cherry blossoms
Ninna-ji Temple is a monzeki temple with deep ties to the Imperial Family, and for many years has been headed by a member of the Imperial Family.
In addition to the Someiyoshino cherry tree in front of the Kondo Hall and the Yohkou-zakura cherry tree in front of the Kannondou Hall, about 200 late-blooming Omuro-zakura, known as a synonym for Ninna-ji Temple, bloom from early to mid April in the Sakura Garden. The contrast between the elegant architecture and the cherry blossoms is magnificent. There are also many azaleas and rhododendrons on the temple grounds, allowing visitors to enjoy the spring scenery for a long time.
Best time to visit: Early to mid-April
Hours: Mar-Nov 9:00-17:00, Dec-Feb 9:00-16:00 * Ninna-ji Gosho Garden
Admission: Gosho Garden, 800 yen for adults, free for high school students and younger
[Omuro Flower Festival 2024]
Period: March 23 (Sat) - May 6 (Sun), 2024
Hours of visitation/8:30-17:30
Special admission fee: Adults 500 yen (1100 yen for a common ticket with Ninna-ji Gosho Teien), Free for high school students and younger
Zempuji Temple was founded in 1029 (Chogen 2) during the middle of the Heian period (794-1185) by Shonin Genzoku.
The mountain where the temple is located is covered in cherry blossoms, and the sight of more than 100 cherry trees, including higanzakura (higan cherry), weeping cherry, mountain cherry, and botanzakura (botan cherry), is breathtaking. The 300-year-old tree blooms in a solemn atmosphere.
Best viewing time: Early April to mid-April
Visiting hours: 8:30-17:00 on weekdays, 8:00-17:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (reception closes at 16:45 on all days)
Admission fee: 500 yen for adults, 300 yen for high school students, 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students
[A walking path [half-tree path] on the west side of the Kyoto Botanical Garden.]
Along the Kamo River from Kitayama Ohashi Bridge to Kitaoji Bridge, double-stemmed weeping cherry trees create a tunnel of cherry blossoms that stretches for about 800 meters. From near Aoi Bridge to near Kamigamo Bridge, there is a row of Someiyoshino cherry trees, and the view from the other side of the river is beautiful.
Best viewing time: Early to mid-April
Hours & Fees / Free to explore
Kamowakeikazuchi-jinja Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto and is commonly known as Kamigamo Shrine.
The 150-year-old Saio-zakura (weeping cherry tree) with double-layered red branches stands alongside the approach that stretches in a straight line from the first torii (first shrine gate) to the second torii (second shrine gate), while the Gosho-zakura (cherry tree with white flowers that opens in late March), Bade-shino-zakura (cherry tree with white flowers), and Whipping-zakura (cherry tree with white flowers) line the path. In addition, there is the red-flowered miare-zakura (cherry blossom) beyond the second torii (second shrine gate), and a wide variety of cherry blossoms with different origins.
Best time to visit: Mid-March to late April
Hours of visitation/5:30-17:00
Admission fee/free
Rokuson-o Shrine, dedicated to Minamoto no Norimoto, the founder of the Seiwa Minamoto clan, is a historic spot founded in the Heian period (794-1192).
The Ryujin Pond is surrounded by someiyoshino cherry trees and red weeping cherry trees. Other colorful cherry blossoms, such as the double-flowered Utsukinzakura with yellowish-green flowers, welcome visitors to the shrine at the best of times.
Best time to see: late March to mid-April
Hours and fees / free to walk around
Sanzen-in Temple in Ohara, Kyoto, has spun out a history of approximately 1,200 years, beginning with a hall built by the great Buddhist missionary Saicho on Mount Hiei.
In spring, when the temple has more than 200 cherry trees in bloom, including weeping cherry trees, someiyoshino cherry trees, and mountain cherry trees, each of which has a different appearance in each season. The temple is also home to rhododendrons, which bloom slightly after the peak of the cherry blossoms, as well as fields of rape blossoms in the surrounding area, offering a rich natural scene.
Best time to visit: Mid-March to mid-April
Visiting hours/9:00-17:00 (November/8:30-17:00, December-February/9:00-16:30)
Admission/ Adults 700 yen, Junior and senior high school students 400 yen, Elementary school students 150 yen, Free for infants
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