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

[Early morning] Kiyomizu-dera: Kyoto’s Most Iconic Temple
![[Early morning] Kiyomizu-dera: Kyoto’s Most Iconic Temple](https://rimage.savorjapan.com/svj/image/discover_oishii_japan/1310/article_130107_w640z.jpg)
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
![[10:00 am] Shirakawa and Gion Area](https://rimage.savorjapan.com/svj/image/discover_oishii_japan/1310/article_130108_w640z.jpg)
[11:00 am] Maruyama Park
![[11:00 am] Maruyama Park](https://rimage.savorjapan.com/svj/image/discover_oishii_japan/1310/article_130109_w640z.jpg)
[12:30 pm] Lunch: Maruyama Park area
Kappo Chihiro

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

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
![[1:30 pm] Keage Incline](https://rimage.savorjapan.com/svj/image/discover_oishii_japan/1310/article_130112_w640z.jpg)
[2:00 pm] Nanzenji Temple Complex and Philosopher’s Path
![[2:00 pm] Nanzenji Temple Complex and Philosopher’s Path](https://rimage.savorjapan.com/svj/image/discover_oishii_japan/1310/article_130113_w640z.jpg)
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
![[4:00 pm] Imperial Palace Gardens](https://rimage.savorjapan.com/svj/image/discover_oishii_japan/1310/article_130114_w640z.jpg)
[4:30 pm] Afternoon Tea: Yaoiso
![[4:30 pm] Afternoon Tea: Yaoiso](https://rimage.savorjapan.com/svj/image/discover_oishii_japan/1310/article_130115_w640z.jpg)
Yaoiso Karasuma
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
![[5:30 pm] Nijo Castle Illuminations](https://rimage.savorjapan.com/svj/image/discover_oishii_japan/1310/article_130116_w640z.jpg)
Dinner Recommendations
Hyoto

[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

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

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
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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.
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