Kyoto is home to many elegant cherry blossom viewing spots. If you go to the trouble of viewing cherry blossoms, you may want to visit multiple locations to enjoy the once-a-year spring scenery.
You can never miss the famous spots! I want to go to a hole in the ground with as few people as possible! Here are some cherry blossom spots in Kyoto that can satisfy both of your needs.

【Arashiyama】
Arashiyama is rich in seasonal changes. The clear Oigawa River and the graceful appearance of the Togetsu Bridge over it attract people’s hearts no matter what time of year they visit.
In spring, the view of cherry blossoms, mountains, river, and bridge together is magnificent.

Wataritsukibashi Bridge over the overflowing cherry blossoms and the view of Arashiyama beyond are as beautiful as a picture scroll.

A tunnel of cherry blossoms appears between Narutaki and Utano Stations on the Randen Kitano Line. Someiyoshino cherry trees line both sides of the line for about 200 meters. The retro trains that run through the cherry blossoms are also attractive.

Tenryuji Temple was built by Ashikaga Takauji. It is a beautiful spot with cherry blossoms in the distance, such as weeping cherry trees blooming against the backdrop of Dahouden Hall and Mochikyo-no-oka overlooking Arashiyama in spring.

Cherry trees are planted around Osawa Pond, the oldest man-made garden pond in Japan, and visitors can enjoy a 1-kilometer walk around the pond. The cherry blossoms reflected in the water mirror are also beautiful.

【Higashiyama】
Higashiyama is home to a concentration of Kyoto’s most famous sights. The area, which is easily accessible from downtown Kawaramachi, Kyoto, is dotted with cherry blossom viewing spots.
Please enjoy the town of Higashiyama dyed in pink.

Wherever you go along the Philosopher’s Walk, there are cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms! The side trips to shrines and temples scattered along the way are also enjoyable and make you lose track of time.

Most of the cherry trees that adorn Heian Shrine are red weeping cherry trees. As the name suggests, these cherry trees are bright red in color. The contrast with the vermilion shrine pavilions is magnificent.

A total of 582 meters of inclined railroad near Nanzenji Temple, and now visitors can freely walk on the rails. In spring, you can enjoy the romantic scenery amidst the rows of cherry trees that fill the area.

This Zen temple was built by Nene to mourn the loss of Hideyoshi. In spring, weeping cherry trees in the Hojo Garden bloom beautifully, their bright pink color shining on the white sand of the garden.

【Mukou City】
There’s even a spot away from the city center of Kyoto where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms!
Enjoy the cherry blossoms in a relaxing atmosphere at this ancient shrine nestled in the nature of Nishiyama.

The “Garden of Birds and Animals,” lined with stones that resemble animals and birds, is a beautiful spot where weeping cherry trees stand dignifiedly.

The most notable cherry blossom on the grounds of Oharano Shrine is the “Sengan-zakura” (cherry blossom with a thousand eyes). It is said to be a phantom cherry blossom that blooms for only two or three days, and if you are lucky enough to see it, your wish will come true.

At Shoujiji Temple, commonly known as “Flower Temple,” about 100 cherry trees spread their branches spontaneously. The temple is famous for the “Saigyo Cherry Blossoms,” which are said to have been planted and loved by the monk Saigyo.

Various varieties of cherry trees, including higanzakura (higan cherry), shidarezakura (weeping cherry), yamazakura (mountain cherry), and botanzakura (botan cherry), color the spring scenery in the precincts.
The temple is also famous for its dynamic view. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Kyoto.

Kyoto has many cherry blossom viewing spots. By narrowing down the area, you can efficiently visit several spots with different scenery. Try touring both the famous and the obscure!