Hidden Places in Kyoto – Sakura (Cherry blossoms) 🌸

01/06/2019

I think the characteristic of Sakura (cherry blossoms) in Kyoto is that they are in harmony with the shrines and temples where we can feel the history and the tasteful scenery.

In Kyoto, there’re many famous cherry blossom places such as Someiyoshino of Hirano Shrine, Shidarezakura of Daigo-ji Temple, Omurozakura of Ninna-ji Temple, and Yae-Beni-Shidarezakura of Heian-jingu Shrine.

Although these cherry trees are elegant and have a special atmosphere, there’re many cherry blossom viewing places in Kyoto which are relatively few tourists.

Among them, I’ll introduce you to the recommended spots which were especially good when I actually went there.

Kyoto Gyoen National Garden ～Overwhelming size and number of cherry trees～

Kyoto Gyoen National Garden is located almost in the center of the city and is a place of recreation and relaxation for the citizens.

Surrounding the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the garden has a circumference of about 4km and is full of nature throughout the four seasons, including plum, cherry, peach and fall foliage.

In spring, more than 1,000 cherry trees bloom on the vast grounds, and you can enjoy a variety of beautiful cherry trees, including the “Shidarezakura of the Konoe residence site" and “Shidarezakura of Izumi Ogawa".

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The best time to see it every year: From late March to mid April
Cherry blossoms: about 1,100
Visit: Available for 24 hours
Website

Keage Incline ～Railway and cherry blossom contrast～

The Lake Biwa Canal that flows from Lake Biwa has a steep head at Keage in Kyoto City, and the boat capsizes. So we came up with a system called Incline.

The railway is laid on a gentle ground and the ship is carried on a wheeled cart. This made it possible to transport goods by ship.

It’s not used now, but the former railway site is left as it is and you can observe it. In spring, cherry trees line both sides of the gentle slope to create a cherry blossom tunnel.

There’re many tourists during the cherry blossom season, but it’s relatively less crowded in the morning because it’s far from the city center.

It’s not good for your feet, so I recommend wearing sneakers.

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The best time to see it every year: From late March to early April
Cherry blossoms: about 90
Visit: Available for 24 hours
Website

Nakaragi-no-Michi (Kamogawa Riv.) ～Row of cherry trees falling down from the sky ～

Nakaragi-no-Michi is about 2 km north of Demachiyanagi Station on the Keihan Main Line.

Nakaragi-no-Michi is a narrow walkway between the Kyoto Botanical Garden and the Kamogawa River, and in the cherry blossom season, the Yae-Beni-Shidarezakura bloom for about 1 km like a tunnel of cherry blossoms.

While taking a walk, you can enjoy the elegant scenery of the murmuring of Kamogawa River and cherry trees. Although it’s a famous place for cherry blossoms, it’s a little far from the city center, so you can enjoy cherry blossoms leisurely.

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The best time to see it every year: From early April to mid-April
Cherry blossoms: about 70
Visit: Available for 24 hours

Takasegawa Riverside ～Beautiful Night Cherry Blossoms～

Takasegawa River was excavated in the Edo Period (1603-1868) and is an artificial river in order to link central Kyoto and Fushimi by water transportation. It’s now an indispensable landscape in the urban area of Kyoto.

In spring, cherry blossoms bloom along the Takasegawa River. You will feel calm if you stroll slowly while looking at the murmuring of the shallow water and wild birds.

Every year, Shijo-dori to Gojo-dori and Oike-dori to Nijo-dori along the Takasegawa River are lit up when the cherry blossoms bloom from late March to early April. You can enjoy the spring night in Kyoto.

Find More Beautiful with Mirrorless

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The best time to see it every year: From late March to early April
Cherry blossoms: about 200
Visit: Available for 24 hours
Lit up: 18:30～23:00

Haradanien Garden ～Flower Paradise～

Haradanien Garden is a private garden that’s not often introduced in Kyoto guidebooks, but it’s a well-known local cherry blossom spot.

The garden is full of cherry blossoms and other spring flowers, and offers a view of paradise. The entrance fee is 1,500 yen, which is expensive, but it’s worth it.

The entrance fee will be cheaper depending on how the cherry blossoms are blooming, but I recommend you to go in the best season.

You can’t go there by car because there’s no parking lot, so please take a bus, taxi or walk. But it’s hard to get to the site on Saturday and Sunday because the roads are congested. I recommend you to go early.

But if you go inside the garden, it’s spacious, so you don’t have to worry about the number of people. People enjoy taking pictures at their favorite points.

You need to be careful because you cannot bring food and drinks. There’re restaurants and shops in the garden, but they are a little expensive.

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The best time to see it every year: From early April to late April
Cherry blossoms: about 400
Hours: 9:0017:00
Admission: 1,500 yen for high school students and above, 500 yen for junior high and elementary school students, Free for children
Website

Jonan-gu Shrine ～Shidarezakura in Momoyama Garden～

Jonan-gu is in Fushimi-ku, which has a famous garden called Rakusuien.

In Jonan-gu, Shidarezakura are planted in Momoyama Garden. The best time to see them is the middle of April when Someiyoshino ends. The scenery of pink cherry blossoms blooming in Momoyama Garden covered with lawn is worth seeing.

The number of cherry blossoms is small, but there’re few tourists, so you can enjoy cherry blossoms calmly.

Jonan-gu is also the place where the Battle of Toba-Fushimi broke out during the Meiji Restoration, and it’s a place that people who love history and the last days of the Tokugawa shogunate would like to visit at least once.

Luxury Beauty in Japan

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The best time to see it every year: from early April to mid-April
Hours: 9:0016:30
Admission: The precincts are free of charge * Rakusuien 600 yen for high school Students and above, 400 yen for junior high school students and under
Website

Kaju-ji Temple ～Temple that retains the atmosphere of the Heian period～

Kaju-ji was built in the Heian period (794 -1185). In the garden centered on Himuroike Pond, you can enjoy seasonal flowers such as wisteria, water lilies and iris.

In spring, the road to the shrine is lined with cherry trees and the contrast with the white fence is very beautiful. The Kannon-do Hall surrounded by cherry blossoms is also wonderful.

It’s in Yamashina-ku, far from the urban area of Kyoto, so there’re few tourists and it’s a hidden spot for cherry blossoms.

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