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Enjoy a Full Day of Cherry Blossom Viewing in Kyoto According to a Kyoto Resident

Update-Date: Mar 7, 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Enjoy a Full Day of Cherry Blossom Viewing in Kyoto According to a Kyoto Resident

Kyoto is one of Japan's most popular spots for cherry blossom viewing, or "hanami". As Japan's capital for 1,000 years, Kyoto is rich with gorgeous historical scenery that elevates the beauty of Japan's cherry blossom trees. As an Australian in Kyoto, I've shown visitors around town during cherry blossom season many times. Here is my one-day flower viewing itinerary for enjoying Kyoto in bloom!

[Early morning] Kiyomizu-dera: Kyoto’s Most Iconic Temple

[Early morning] Kiyomizu-dera

To start your day, head to Kiyomizu-dera Temple as early as you’d like. This Buddhist temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site first founded in 778, and built in its present form in 1633. Famous for its main hall built from wood on the mountainside with no nails at all, Kiyomizu-dera offers plenty of cherry trees to enjoy throughout its grounds. The dramatic outlook from the main temple stage also gives you a view of Kyoto city and the lush forested mountainside which, of course, looks particularly beautiful during cherry blossom season.

This temple opens at 6:00 am, and as one of Kyoto’s most famous destinations, this area does get quite crowded. I recommend visiting in the early morning so that you can take in the details both of the temple and historic surrounding streets with a little more breathing room. In my opinion, the view from the temple also looks particularly beautiful in the morning light.

[10:00 am] Shirakawa and Gion Area

After Kiyomizu-dera, head north to explore the Higashiyama Gion area. Perhaps most famous for being Kyoto’s geisha district, this popular area is a chance to step back into the atmosphere of old Kyoto. In cherry blossom season, I highly recommend a walk along the Shirakawa River canal, which is located a few streets north from Shijo-dori Street. The stone paved streets, weeping cherry trees along the canal, and the area's charming teahouses all create a magical spring atmosphere. Hanami-koji, a historical alleyway off Shijo-dori Street that ends at Kenninji Temple, is also worth exploring in this area.

[11:00 am] Maruyama Park

Next, head into Maruyama Park, which is located behind Yasaka Shrine at the end of Shijo-dori Street. This was Kyoto’s first public park, and is one of the most popular spots among locals for hanami flower viewing picnics. When you enter the park you will see some food stalls and places to sit under the trees in the main plaza. I recommend picking up some soft serve ice cream or a cup of tea to enjoy under the falling petals. This park is full of beautiful trees to enjoy, but it is particularly famous for the Gion Weeping Cherry Tree pictured above. This park can get busy during full bloom, but its wide paths and relaxed atmosphere means you can take your time getting some pictures of the blooms without feeling crowded.

[12:30 pm] Lunch: Maruyama Park area

After all your morning exploration, you're probably ready for a relaxing lunch! Here are my recommendations in the Gion area surrounding Maruyama Park.

Kappo Chihiro

Kyoto’s Gion area is known for being a hotspot for enjoying traditional fine dining. If you want to enjoy Kyoto’s high quality local cuisine, Kappo Chihiro is an excellent choice. Chef Nagata’s approach to food is exemplified by the restaurant’s exceptional [Grilled Eggplant]. This dish is made with no additional flavors but the vegetable itself, which is expertly grilled to condense its natural flavor. With courses ranging from 12,000 JPY to 22,000 JPY, this is best for a special meal, and you may find that experiencing the world of Kyoto's fine dining is an enriching cultural experience, too.

Open: Lunch 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (Reservation at least one day prior required), Dinner 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm)
Closed: Monday
Average price: 20,000 JPY
Address: 279-8, Gionmachi-Kitagawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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Cafe Restaurant Yayoi

If you don't have the budget or time in your itinerary for a more leisurely lunch, try a set meal at the comfortable Cafe Restaurant Yayoi. I particularly recommend the [Ochazuke Set (1,390 JPY)]. Ochazuke is a simple, homestyle dish made by pouring a soup made with hot tea and broth over a bowl of rice. This set comes with a selection of condiments that include Cafe Restaurant Yayoi’s specialities, chirimen-zansho (dried baby sardines with Japanese pepper) and tsukudani, a traditional type of preserved dish made by stewing ingredients in soy sauce and mirin.

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (L.O. 5:00 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: 1,500 JPY
Address: 481, Gion Shimogawara Kiyoi-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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[1:30 pm] Keage Incline

Next on our itinerary is the Keage Incline, located beside Keage Station on the Tozai Subway line. Built in 1891 for the transport of ships, the now disused railway line is today preserved as a historical site. Each year it attracts cherry blossom lovers in droves for its beautiful spring scenery. The railway line framed by the around 90 cherry trees as a different feel to Kyoto’s many shrines and temples, and visitors to Kyoto have often tell me how much they enjoy the unique atmosphere here.

[2:00 pm] Nanzenji Temple Complex and Philosopher’s Path

Not far from Keage Incline is a cluster of temples that include the famous Nanzenji Temple, one of Japan’s most important Zen temples. I recommend passing through here to see the Sanmon Gate the Meiji era brick aqueduct on the grounds, and seeing the rock garden in the Hojo main hall. You could easily spend a few hours seeing the subtemples and gardens in this complex, but since we're here to see cherry blossoms, head north towards Eikando Temple to the entrance to the Philosopher’s Path.

One of Kyoto’s best known cherry blossom areas, and a personal favorite of mine is the Philosopher's Path. This stone-paved path that runs along the Lake Biwa Canal earned its name as a favorite meditation spot of famous Kyoto philosopher Nishida Kitaro (1870 - 1945), who was known to use this path as a walking meditation spot. The hundreds of cherry trees as well as small bridges criss-crossing the stone-walled canal all create beautiful scenery for a peaceful stroll between Nanzenji and Ginkakuji Temple.

[4:00 pm] Imperial Palace Gardens

Our next stop after the Philosopher’s Path is the Imperial Palace Gardens. Kyoto was Japan’s capital for over 1,000 years, and the former palaces of the Imperial court remain open to the public as a historical spot and parkland today. The Imperial Palace Gardens is the largest green space in the Kyoto city center, and there are plenty of cherry blossoms to see in the spring. I particularly recommend the weeping cherry blossom grove at the north of the park. The drifting branches of these tall trees create a gorgeous scene during the late afternoon golden hour.

[4:30 pm] Afternoon Tea: Yaoiso

If you're ready for a break, I recommend a stop at Yaoiso, located around a 5-minute walk from the north Imperial Palace cherry blossom grove. First founded in 1869, this long running fruit shop specialises in high quality fruits for gifts, and is well known among Kyoto locals. Yaoiso also has two cafes where visitors can enjoy Japan’s highest quality fruits prepared as sandwiches, parfaits, or simply freshly cut as an assorted plate. Strawberries are in season during early spring, so I highly recommend trying some of Yaoiso’s expertly-sourced examples here.

Yaoiso Karasuma

Open: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (L.O 5:30 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: 800 JPY
Address: 104-1, Goshohachiman-cho, Kamidachiuri-agaru, Karasuma-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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[5:30 pm] Nijo Castle Illuminations

Once the sun falls, my recommendation is to head to Nijo Castle to see its cherry blossom groves beautifully lit up in the evening. There are a number of places to see the cherry blossoms illuminated around town, including Arashiyama and Kiyomizu-dera, but Nijo Castle is growing more and more popular thanks to the fact that their evening displays often have a little something extra. Projection mapping and other interactive art pieces by production companies like Naked draw many visitors for the chance to see Kyoto's beautiful cherry trees and the Nijo Castle architecture beautifully illuminated with a modern spin. Keep in mind that the spring evenings in Kyoto can still be chilly, so bring a jacket!

Dinner Recommendations

After a full day of enjoying some of Kyoto's most beautiful areas, you'll want a great meal to wind down over. Here are my picks for dinner in the Nijo Castle area.

Hyoto

Hyoto is a stylish Japanese restaurant with table seating and private rooms to choose from. Their specialty is dashi-shabu, a variation of shabu-shabu, a dish where diners parboil their own thin slices of meat at the table. Dashi-shabu uses a flavored dashi stock to add a richer flavor to the high quality Sakurajima Island Biyuton brand pork. A range of other course menus made from seasonal ingredients are available, making Hyoto ideal for a range of occasions and budgets.

Open: [Friday, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
[Monday - Thursday, Sunday] lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 7,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,500 JPY
Address: 1F, Meirin Bldg., 550-1, Yamabushiyama-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
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Roast Beef Watanabe

Road Beef Watanabe specialises in kuroge wagyu, a variety of high quality Japanese beef. French-inspired course menus are available, and tables are fitted with a specially-designed grills so that guests can watch the meat being prepared fresh right in front of their eyes. The quality of Japanese beef is well-known around the world, so if you're looking to try it while you're in Japan, I recommend taking advantage of Chef Watanabe's passion for this ingredient at Roast Beef Watanabe.

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday/national holiday/eve of national holiday] Lunch from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm, dinner from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Access: We are on basement 1 of the Sanyo Oike Building.
Address: Sanyo Oike Bldg. 1F, 137 Aburakoji Dori Oike Sagaru Shikiami-cho , Chukyo-ku,Kyoto-shi , Kyoto Map
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Uru

The emphasis on fresh, local produce that Kyoto is famous for melds well with Italian cuisine, which often focuses on high quality ingredients prepared simply but skillfully. This restaurant serves organic vegetables and fresh, hand-made pasta and pizza in a 100 year old machiya townhouse. This affordably-priced restaurant also offers a good amount of vegetarian options, including the signature [Trippa Tomato Linguine], made with a delicately herbed tomato and white wine sauce.

Open: [Weekday] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm) / Dinner 5:30 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)/ [Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm / Cafe 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm / Dinner 5:30 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,200 JPY
Access: Leave Karasyma Oike station and walk west along Oike-dori, then turn north into Nishinotoin-dori and the restaurant is located a short way down the west side (two doors south of Mikane shrine).
Address: 610, Oshinishinotoincho-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Map
More Details Reservation

Kyoto has a wealth of places to enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms in spring. I hope this guide to some favorite local spots and great restaurants along the way helps you plan your next trip to this beautiful city!

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.

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