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A Complete Guide To Experience Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto

An expert guide to help you experience the best cherry blossoms in Kyoto, including a list of the best places to visit and how to avoid the crowds
All images are provided by Ollie Ronin, unless otherwise stated, and are protected under copyright law.

Overview

Out of all the major cities in Japan, Kyoto provides the absolute best experience for Japan's cherry blossoms (known as sakura in Japanese). The city has a strong emphasis on blending nature with the urban landscape, and has thousands of temples, shrines, and gardens that celebrate the expressive seasons of Japan, especially the cherry blossoms. For hundreds of years, Kyoto has been built and designed to express and celebrate the changing seasons, creating a magical experience for sightseeing and exploring the city.


But how do you get the timing right? How do you escape the crowds? And where are the best spots for viewing the cherry blossoms in Kyoto? We'll summarise all of this in the following article, providing you with efficient and organised information to experience the best cherry blossoms in Japan.


Table of Contents


FAQ

The Best Places For Cherry Blossoms In Kyoto

The Best Temples In Kyoto For Cherry Blossoms




 

Frequently Asked Questions

 
Image: Ollie Ronin

When is the best time to see cherry blossoms in Kyoto?

The absolute best time to see the cherry blossoms in Kyoto is typically the first week of April, with an average full bloom date of the 4th of April. However, this is highly dependent on the weather, and the peak period can fluctuate by as much as an entire week. The primary dictator of the blooming period is temperature, and an unexpected cold front in March can delay the blooming period. The sakura forecast is a helpful guide, but it only becomes reliable about 2 weeks before the full bloom date. One last factor affecting the bloom period is wind and rain, which can cause the blossoms to lose their petal faster than normal.


Due to this somewhat unpredictable fluctuation, it's important to embrace an attitude of acceptance, one which is at peace with things outside of your control. In fact, this is a philosophical value that is prominent in Japanese culture, so if you book your trip for the cherry blossoms and the forecast changes, take it as a meditative lesson and don't let disappointment undermine your enjoyment of Japan. With this guide, we aim to increase your chances of seeing the cherry blossoms in full bloom. And don't worry if you're a bit late, you'll get to experience beautiful cherry petals falling from the trees, which is itself a unique experience.

Image: Ollie Ronin

How long do cherry blossoms last and what is full bloom?

Full bloom is the point at which every flower on the cherry tree is completely blooming, it's a truly stunning sight and creates a visual display that is much more dramatic than partially blooming trees. From the first blooming flowers, to full bloom, to the petals falling, the total process is about two weeks. Once the first flowers of a tree begin to bloom, they usually take about 1 week to reach full bloom, full bloom usually lasts about 3 days, and then the petals will fall over the next 4 days - depending on wind and rain. Among a group of trees you will also find some individual variances, such as the odd tree in full bloom ahead of its neighbours, or late blooming anomalies. So, technically speaking, you can "see" cherry blossoms in Kyoto for about 2-3 weeks, but the city will only be transformed into a magical display for about 1 week.


What's the best cherry blossom forecast?

Kyoto City closely monitors the progress of the cherry trees and provides a detailed forecast and report for all the temples and attractions here: The Kyoto Cherry Blossom Forecast


The official sakura forecast for the entire country of Japan is provided by the Japan Meteorological Agency. But I think the report provided by Japan Guide is more visually pleasing: Japan-Guide Sakura Forecast.


How crowded does it get during the cherry blossom period?

Due to the brief nature of the cherry blossoms, this is the busiest time of the year for visiting Japan and Kyoto, however, Kyoto is a rich city filled with hundreds of temples and thousands of shrines, so there are many options for escaping the crowds. However, you will need to book your accommodation early, as most hotels will be booked out by March. Although it's crowded it's totally worth it, I was sceptical that the crowds would ruin the experience but was blown away by all the temples, scenery, and hidden gems, plus the crowded places can actually provide a great atmosphere for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties.


How do you escape the crowds for the sakura in Kyoto?

For most locations, if you truly want to avoid the crowds, you need to arrive at sunrise which is around 5:50am. There will still be some people here at that time, but it won't be overwhelming. As a night owl who loves sleeping late, I assure you that it's totally worth it to wake up this early, especially during full bloom. It will be impossible to escape the crowds at many temples because of their opening times, but some places, such as Kiyomizudera, open as early as 6am. Other places such as the Philosopher's Path, the Kamogawa, and Sewaritei are always open so they're perfect for the sunrise or sunset.

Image: Ollie Ronin

How many days should I spend in Kyoto for the sakura?

Kyoto is full of surprises. It's very common for travellers to find out they didn't plan enough time for Kyoto and wish they had stayed longer. This is especially true during sakura, as the cherry blossoms add a whole new element to sightseeing and temple hopping, plus they hold numerous temple illumination events and hanami parties - adding more variety to the attractions. But it depends on the person, if you're not visually inclined and don't care much about the history, culture, and sakura, then 3 days is fine. However, most people find that 4-5 days is ideal. Kyoto can also serve as a great base for exploring Osaka and Nara, which are only a 50-minute train ride away, with this in mind you could easily stay a week or more. If your goal is to experience full bloom, then I would suggest booking for a minimum of 7 days to give yourself the highest chance of catching the full bloom window.


What's the best area to stay in Kyoto?

Downtown, Gion, and Higashiyama are considered the most convenient areas for staying in Kyoto. But many people like to include Arashiyama to escape the city and feel more relaxed and in touch with nature. All four of those areas are decorated with sakura and are perfect for experiencing the cherry blossoms. In contrast, I would advise against staying around Kyoto Station. We've created a comprehensive guide to help you decide which area is best for your trip on this page: Where To Stay In Kyoto.




 

The Best Places for Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto

 


1. The Philosopher's Path

Best places for autumn in Kyoto
Image: Ollie Ronin

The Philosopher's Path, known as Testugaku no Michi in Japanese, is one of the most incredible places for sakura in Japan. It's a 1.7km stone path along a canal that's lined with hundreds of sakura trees. The path is also home to beautiful cafes, restaurants, and Japanese houses which add a humble atmosphere to the area. Due to the narrow size of the path, it gets extremely crowded when the cherry blossoms bloom, but most people arrive after 7am. The crowds are usually concentrated at the northern end, so it's worthwhile walking the entire path and finishing at the southern end. Aim to get here before 6am for the best experience.


For more info, check out our dedicated page for the Philosopher's Path.


🕗 Opening Hours

  • 24/7


📍 Location


💴 Entry Price

  • Free


🌸  Peak Sakura

  • Late March to Early April




 


2. Sewaritei

Image: Ollie Ronin

Sewaritei is a 1.5km stretch of land that marks the convergence of two rivers, it contains a lovely path decorated with over 200 huge sakura trees which hang over grassy slopes on each side. During full bloom this place is absolutely stunning, it feels surreal, like something out of a dream.


Sewaritei used to be one of the best-kept secrets for sakura in Kyoto, and it still kind of is. Although it's much more well-known and more crowded now, most of the visitors are local Japanese and expats rather than overseas tourists, so it still feels like a hidden gem when talking with other travellers who had no idea this place existed. It's also a huge area, so despite the crowds it's relatively easy to find your own space under the cherry trees to chill out, enjoy a picnic, or take some photos.


Keep in mind though, this place still receives a huge amount of visitors, especially on weekends, so you will need to be mentally prepared to deal with the crowds. But if you come here for the sunrise or stay later for the sunset, you'll get some of the most beautiful and photogenic sakura in all of Japan.


For more info, check out our dedicated page for Sewaritei.


🕗 Opening Hours

  • 24/7

  • Market Stall Hours: 9am - 5pm


📍 Location

💴 Cost

  • Excluding 9-5: Free

  • 9am-5pm: ¥200


🌸  Peak Sakura

  • Late March to Early April



 


3. The Kamogawa

Image: Ollie Ronin

The Kamogawa, also known as the Kamo River, is a large river that runs from the north to the south of Kyoto, passing right between the downtown area and Gion. It features lots of grassy areas for enjoying picnics and is decorated with hundreds of beautiful sakura trees. There's plenty of space to enjoy the sakura without feeling overwhelmed by tourism, and if you really want to escape the crowds you can head up to the northern area where you'll find a more peaceful atmosphere where mostly the locals hang out.


The walking path for the Kamogawa starts near Pontocho Alley and runs over 6km to northern Kyoto. The nicest grassy areas that are ideal for picnics are a 10-minute walk north of downtown Kyoto, these grassy areas continue all the way up to the Botanical Gardens which is about 5km in total. The Ritz-Carlton has one of the best locations for enjoying this area.


🕗 Opening Hours

  • 24/7


📍 Location


💴 Entry Price

  • Free


🌸  Peak Sakura

  • Late March to Early April



 


4. Maruyama Park


Maruyama Park is located next to the Yasaka Shrine, which is at the end of the main street that runs through downtown Kyoto and Gion. It's Kyoto's oldest park and features over 100 cherry trees, including a large weeping cherry tree in the centre. The best aspect of Maruyama Park is the sakura festival, where numerous tables and chairs are set up along with pop-up restaurants, bars, and street food vendors. It's a fun and lively atmosphere of people drinking and celebrating the sakura, it goes late into the night and is an awesome place to experience hanami after a day of sightseeing.


The sakura festival at Maruyama Park runs according to each season's blooming period, but typically occurs for about 2 weeks from the end of March to the start of April.


🕗 Opening Hours

  • 24/7

  • Sakura Festival Hours: 11am - 11pm


📍 Location

💴 Cost

  • Park: Free

  • Dining Tables: ¥2000 approx. pp


🌸  Peak Sakura

  • Late March to Early April



 


5. Kiyamachi Street

Image: Ollie Ronin

Kiyamachi Street (Kiyamachi dori) is Kyoto's entertainment district in the downtown area, it runs parallel to Pontocho Alley and features numerous bars, clubs, cafes and restaurants. It's approximately 1.5km long and lined with stunning sakura trees alongside a small canal. The lively atmosphere, the picturesque Kyoto scenery, and the blooming sakura trees create an amazing environment perfect for lunch, dinner, drinks, or taking photos.


🕗 Opening Hours

  • 24/7

  • Business Hours: 9am - late


📍 Location

💴 Cost

  • Free


🌸  Peak Sakura

  • Late March to Early April



 


6. Arashiyama


Arashiyama is most well known for its Bamboo Grove, but this mountainous area on the western side of Kyoto also features beautiful cherry blossoms. Arashiyama and the Bamboo Grove can get very busy, but there's a wide variety of beautiful temples to explore, with many of them featuring their own sakura trees. The Katsura River and Arashiyama Park viewpoint are great spots for seeing the mountain landscape decorated with sakura. Another great option is booking a ride on the Sagano Romantic train that takes you along the river and through the mountains, providing a unique view of the cherry blossoms. Tickets sell out fast though, so book early, you can buy tickets online here.


You can read more about Arashiyama on our dedicated page: A Complete Guide To Visiting Arashiyama


🕗 Opening Hours

  • Temples: 9am - 5pm

  • Bamboo Grove: 24/7


📍 Location


💴 Entry Price

  • Free


🌸  Peak Sakura

  • Late March to Early April





 

The Best Temples in Kyoto for Cherry Blossoms

 


1. Kiyomizudera Temple

Image: Ollie Ronin

Kiyomizudera is possibly the most famous temple in Japan. During spring, when the sakura start to bloom, the temple becomes even more beautiful as the temple grounds are decorated with carefully placed cherry trees. Despite being one of the most crowded attractions in Japan, it's easy to avoid the crowds thanks to the temple's early opening time of 6am. If you don't want to wake up this early it's still worth the visit, just prepare yourself for densely packed crowds because the streets leading up to the temple are very narrow. Kiyomizudera also holds nighttime illumination events for the sakura which tends to be less packed than during the daytime, making it a great place for an evening walk.


For more info, check out our dedicated page for Kiyomizudera.


🕗 Opening Hours

  • 6am - 6pm


📍 Location

💴 Entry Price

  • ¥500 per person


🌸  Peak Sakura

  • Late March to Early April

  • Illuminations: 6pm - 9pm



 


2. Chion-in Temple

Image: Ollie Ronin

Chion-in is a large temple complex which was featured in the film The Last Samurai starring Tom Cruise. It's free to enter the temple grounds and it contains some beautiful cherry blossoms set amongst stunning traditional architecture. Chion-in avoids much of the over-tourism that affects other attractions, so it's a great place to grab a break from all the crowded sightseeing. It's about a 30-minute walk from Kiyomizudera via the famous narrow streets of Higashiyama. Chion-in also features some of the most impressive illumination events, incorporating visual projections and art installations.


For more info, check out our dedicated page for Chion-in Temple.


🕗 Opening Hours

  • 6am - 4:30pm


📍 Location

💴 Cost

  • Daytime = Free

  • Illumination = ¥800 per person


🌸  Peak Sakura

  • Late March to Early April

  • Illuminations: 6pm - 9pm






 


 

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