Ninna-ji
仁和寺
The late-blooming Omuro cherries are short-trunked and bloom in mid-April.
Also known as the Ninna-ji Monzeki or Omuro Gosho (Omuro Imperial Palace). One of Kyoto's most representative temples — it appears multiple times in the Tsurezu…
Theme · kyoto cherry blossoms
21 Top Cherry Blossom Spots in Kyoto
Kyoto's cherry blossoms peak from late March to mid-April, in waves: weeping cherries first, then Yoshino cherries, then the late-blooming Omuro cherries at Ninnaji. From the Philosopher's Path to Maruyama Park's giant weeping cherry, here are Kyoto's must-see hanami spots.
Hirano Jinja
平野神社
Different varieties bloom in succession — a living cherry blossom museum.
Said to have been relocated from Nara in 794 (Enryaku 13) when the capital moved to Kyoto. The main hall is built in the Hirano-zukuri style (also called hiyoku…
Nijo Castle
二条城
Castle walls and cherry blossoms. Night illumination is a perennial favorite.
Built in 1603 as lodging for the shogun's visits to Kyoto, this castle also served as the military headquarters during both the Summer and Winter Sieges of Osak…
Maruyama Park
円山公園
The giant weeping cherry of Gion. Food stalls and an evening atmosphere make this a hanami classic.
Kyoto's first public park, established in 1886, located behind Yasaka Shrine. In spring, over 800 cherry trees bloom all at once, and the park is packed with ha…
Kodai-ji Temple
高台寺
The Hashinshin garden's weeping cherries are paired with projection mapping at night.
Founded in 1606 by Kita-no-Mandokoro (Nene), the principal wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to pray for his soul. Originally a Soto Zen temple, it now belongs to the…
Kiyomizu-dera
清水寺
Cherry blossoms with the Kiyomizu wooden stage and Kyoto city views.
Founded in 780 with the support of Sakanoue no Tamuramaro and established by the monk Enchin, Kiyomizu-dera has a remarkably long history — it even appears in T…
Tenryu-ji
天龍寺
Sogenchi Garden with weeping cherries against the Arashiyama mountains.
The head temple of the Rinzai Tenryu-ji school. Its full formal name is Reikisan Tenryu Shisei Zenji. The principal images are Shaka Nyorai (Shakyamuni Buddha)…
Togetsukyo Bridge
渡月橋
Cherry blossoms with the Arashiyama mountain backdrop. Early morning is best.
The bridge that serves as the symbol of Arashiyama. The river it spans is called the Oi-gawa (Oi River) upstream from the bridge and the Katsura-gawa (Katsura R…
Jojakko-ji
常寂光寺
Mountain cherries on Sagano's hillside stone steps.
Founded in 1596 when the monk Nittei Shonin retired here to live in seclusion. The main hall was relocated from Fushimi Castle's reception hall. In autumn, you…
Heian Jingu
平安神宮
The shrine garden's red weeping cherries inspired Tanizaki's novel 'The Makioka Sisters'.
Built in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the transfer of the capital to Kyoto. <Oten-mon Gate> Positioned at the end of Reisen-dori street. Pain…
Kyoto Gyoen
京都御苑
Konoe Residence ruins' early weeping cherries kick off the season; many varieties throughout.
Located right in the center of Kyoto, this roughly 650,000-square-meter park is freely accessible and cherished by locals as a place to relax. Going clockwise f…
Kamigamo Jinja
上賀茂神社
Famed trees including Saio-zakura and Gosho-zakura within the precincts.
Along with Shimogamo Jinja, one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto. Between the first and second torii gates, a lawn stretches out with the shrine buildings standin…
Shimogamo Shrine
下鴨神社
Cherry trees in the Tadasu-no-Mori forest and along the approach.
One of Kyoto's oldest shrines, dedicated to the gods of bountiful harvests. The two enshrined deities are Tamayori-hime-no-mikoto and Kamotaketsunomi-no-mikoto.…
Senbon Shaka-do
千本釈迦堂
Okame-zakura is among Kyoto's earliest cherries — late March.
A shrine believed to bless married harmony. There's a statue of "Okame," a woman who took her own life to protect her husband. In February, the Okame Setsubun f…
Kamo River
鴨川
Walk the Kamo River banks from Demachiyanagi to Shichijo for classic hanami.
Without the Kamo River, Kyoto's charm would be less than half of what it is. My recommended spot is around the Demachiji Bridge area — you can see Mt. Hiei, the…
Kennin-ji Temple
建仁寺
The Choon-tei garden's cherries with the calm of a Zen temple.
Founded in 1202 by Myoan Eisai, this is Japan's oldest Zen temple, with 14 sub-temples on its grounds. Famous for the "Wind God and Thunder God" folding screens…
Sanzen-in
三千院
Ohara's cherries bloom a bit later — perfect for a quiet mountain village hanami.
A branch temple of Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei, belonging to the Tendai sect and holding the prestigious status of a monzeki temple (headed by members of the imper…
Kinkaku-ji
金閣寺
The Golden Pavilion against cherry blossoms — iconic.
The quintessential Kyoto landmark — everyone knows it. Its formal name is Rokuon-ji. It started as the Kitayama-dono villa, built by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1397…
To-ji
東寺
The five-story pagoda with the Fuji-zakura is a spring postcard image of Kyoto.
History of To-ji: The head temple of the Toji Shingon sect. Construction began around the same time Kukai departed for Tang China in 804. In 823, To-ji was gran…
Frequently Asked Questions
When do Kyoto cherry blossoms bloom?
Typically late March to early April. The succession is: early bloomers (Senbon-shakado) → Yoshino cherries (Philosopher's Path, Maruyama Park, Nijo Castle) → late-blooming Omuro cherries at Ninnaji, spanning about 3 weeks.
Where can I see cherry blossoms at night?
Nijo Castle, Maruyama Park, Kodaiji, Toji, and Hirano Shrine are the most famous. Peak crowds are 7–8 PM.
Best spots to combine cherries with temple architecture?
Toji (pagoda), Kiyomizudera (wooden stage), Ninnaji (gate and Omuro cherries), and Heian Shrine (Soryu Tower) are unbeatable.
Where to enjoy cherry blossoms on rainy days?
Temples where you can sit and view gardens from indoors — Tenryuji, Kenninji, Kodaiji — work well in rain.
How to avoid crowds during cherry blossom season?
Enter major temples before 8 AM, target weekday mornings, or head to Rakuhoku (Ohara, Kurama) or the western mountains for quieter hanami.