🌸 Top 10 Unmissable Cherry Blossom Spots in Kyoto! 🌸
Get ready to be swept away by the breathtaking beauty of cherry blossoms in Kyoto! This guide will take you to the most stunning locations, perfect for your springtime adventure.
✅ 1. Kiyomizu-dera Temple
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Wow! Around 1,000 Somei Yoshino and Yama-zakura cherry trees explode in a riot of color at Kiyomizu-dera Temple on Mount Otowa. 🤩
Imagine this: illuminated cherry blossoms at night, set against the backdrop of a temple perched on a mountainside! It's pure magic! ✨
Plus, you get panoramic views of Kyoto – even more stunning when framed by blooming sakura! 🥰
- Address: 1 Chome-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan
✅ 2. Okazaki Canal
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The Okazaki Canal, fed by Japan's largest lake, Lake Biwa, is a designated historical site and a total hotspot when the cherry blossoms bloom! 🥳
Picture this: Rows of radiant Somei Yoshino trees lining the canal, creating a breathtaking spring scene. 🌺
And guess what? The famous Heian Jingu Shrine, another top-tier sakura viewing spot, is just a stone's throw away! ⛩️
- Address: Nanzenji Kusagawa-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
✅ 3. Philosopher's Path
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Take a stroll along the Philosopher's Path, a serene walkway alongside a canal, near Kinkaku-ji Temple and Mount Daimonji. 👏
Every spring, about 500 Somei Yoshino cherry trees burst into bloom along this peaceful 2 km path. 🎉
When the blooms are at their peak, the pink canopy practically paints the sky and reflects on the water – it's like walking through a cherry blossom tunnel! 🌺
- Address: Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
✅ 4. Daigo-ji Temple
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Daigo-ji Temple is a local favorite for cherry blossom viewing! The entire Mount Daigo is part of the temple grounds, and approximately 1,000 cherry trees decorate this vast landscape. ⛩️
Step through the main gate, and you'll be greeted by a mesmerizing cherry blossom tunnel. 🤩
- Address: 22 Higashioji-cho, Daigo, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
✅ 5. Gion Shirakawa
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Gion Shirakawa is a charming walking street where you can listen to the soothing sounds of the Shirakawa River. 😍
About 40 Somei Yoshino, Yadare-zakura, and Yama-zakura cherry trees line the street. It may not be a huge number, but it's more than enough to satisfy your sakura craving amidst Kyoto's unique atmosphere! 🥰
Beyond the blossoms, enjoy the stone-paved streets, small stone bridges, traditional architecture, and classic Kyoto townscape along the river. 👉
- Address: Suekichi-cho Yamatooji-dori Yonjo-agaru, Motoyoshi-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
✅ 6. Maruyama Park
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Maruyama Park boasts a sprawling 90,000 square meter area, with nearly 700 cherry trees, including Shidare-zakura, Somei Yoshino, Yama-zakura, and more! Enjoy blossom viewing without worrying about closing times! 🤩
When the sakura are in full bloom, the cherry garden is illuminated from sunset until midnight, creating an enchanting scene that everyone wants to witness! 🫡
- Address: 473 Maruyama-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
✅ 7. Heian Jingu Shrine Shin-en Garden
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Within the spacious grounds of Heian Jingu Shrine, you'll find four gardens surrounding the main hall on the east, center, west, and south sides. The scenery here is incredibly beautiful, with cherry blossoms blooming in a truly Japanese setting during spring. 😘
- Address: Okazaki nishitennoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
✅ 8. Chion-in Temple
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Chion-in Temple is famous for its massive Sanmon gate, standing 24m high and 50m wide, considered a national treasure. ⛩️
In spring, the Somei Yoshino cherry trees blooming on either side of the gate create a fantastic photo opportunity for visitors. 🌹
And get this: the temple also houses a gigantic 70-ton bell, one of the three largest bells in Japan! 🔔
- Address: 400 Rinka-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
✅ 9. Ryoan-ji Temple
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In spring, the Benishidare-zakura cherry blossoms outside the fence lean into Ryoan-ji Temple's Ishiniwa garden, adding a splash of deep pink to the serene space. 🌺
Especially around Kyoyo-chi Pond within the temple grounds, you'll find a stunning array of cherry trees! ‼️
Visit on a calm day, and witnessing the reflection of the cherry blossoms on the water's surface will bring a sense of peace to your soul. 🥰
- Address: 13 Ryuanji goryoka-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
✅ 10. Tenryu-ji Temple
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The garden inside Tenryu-ji Temple features around 200 cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino, Shidare-zakura, Yae-zakura. The ancient Shidare-zakura weeping cherry tree in front of Taho-den is an absolute must-see! 🌳
- Address: 68 Saga tenryuji susukinobaba-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
