Our Ten Favorite Weeping Cherry Trees

To-ji Temple

To-ji (literally “East Temple”), located at the southwest exit of Kyoto Station in Minami Ward, is a Buddhist temple.

A large weeping cherry tree stands next to the entrance and blooms spectacularly in early April. A few years ago, several plum trees were added next to it. Many other cherry trees can be found throughout the temple grounds, near the five-story pagoda. Standing at 57 meters tall, this pagoda is the tallest wooden structure in Japan and an iconic image of Kyoto.

There are several buildings and a large collection of amazing wooden statues. One of our favorite attractions at this temple is the evening illumination of the blooming trees and various structures around the grounds. It is our favorite light show in Kyoto.

Hirano Jinja

This small Shinto shrine is located next to the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. Although it is small, it is highly prestigious and popular.

With about 400 cherry trees of some 50 varieties blooming for about a month between March and April, it is by far our favorite place to enjoy the hanami season, especially in the evening for yozakura, when you can take in the nighttime illumination while enjoying some sake and yatai food.

Each visit is different because each cherry variety blooms at a different time, so every year from March until the end of April is special.

Today, it is one of the most popular spots in Kyoto for viewing the trees, singing, and drinking.

Kyoto Imperial Garden or Kyoto Gyoen

The Kyoto Imperial Garden features a number of beautiful, large-scale cherry trees. Some are particularly special, such as the weeping cherry tree at the Konoe Residence (northwest of the garden) and the one near the Shimodachiuri Gate (southwest).

On a sunny day, it’s a great place to stroll and maybe have a picnic lunch near the cherry trees (but be careful, as there are restrictions). If you arrive too early in the season for the cherry blossoms, you can visit two other sections of the garden. One section has plum trees (ume), which are the first type of flowers to bloom, starting in February. The other section has peach trees (momo), which are the second type of flowers to bloom. In other words, you’re pretty much guaranteed to see flowers from February onward.

Maruyama Koen

Maruyama Park, located just behind the Yasaka Jinja Shrine, is another one of Kyoto’s main spots for viewing cherry blossoms. In addition to the 500 or so cherry trees that bloom there, the park’s star attraction is a huge weeping cherry tree that is illuminated at night. Officially, it is called a single white higan weeping cherry tree.

The park is a great place to enjoy “yozakura,” or viewing cherry blossoms at night. Many people have dinner under a canopy of blooming cherry flowers at one of the many stands set up for the season or simply enjoy a beer or sake while taking in the festive atmosphere. The park is extremely popular and can get very crowded at this time of year (April).

Kodaiji Temple

A gorgeous, 100-year-old, pink weeping cherry tree stands alone and is especially highlighted at night by the temple’s illuminations and projection mapping. During the Spring Illumination, which coincides with cherry blossom season in Kyoto from mid-March to early May, visitors can enjoy the magical sight of illuminated cherry blossoms that create a dreamlike atmosphere in the temple grounds.

Additionally, the serene temple grounds, pond, and bamboo groves are illuminated, offering a wonderful walking experience.

Rokkaku-do

Another lone tree located in the middle of downtown Kyoto, just south of the Karasuma-Oike subway station. 

The temple’s official name is “Choho-ji,” but it is known as “Rokkaku-do,” with “rokkaku” meaning hexagon and “-do” meaning temple. It is one of the city’s oldest temples, as it was built at the end of the sixth century, long before Kyoto became Japan’s imperial capital during the Heian period (794–1185). This small Buddhist temple is the birthplace of ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement.

Rokkaku-do is home to a majestic weeping cherry tree. In spring, the sight of its weeping cherry blossoms in full bloom and their pale pink petals scattered about is captivating.

While Rokkaku-do is not a tourist must-see in Kyoto, it is definitely worth a detour in the spring.

Oishi Shrine

This attractive shrine in Yamashina is dedicated to Ōishi Kuranosuke Yoshio, the leader of the famous 47 Ronin.

The temple grounds are adorned by a magnificent weeping cherry tree, the “Oishi Sakura.” During the spring, the tree and numerous paper lanterns create a beautiful scene.

The weeping cherry blossoms at the nearby Iwaya-ji Temple are also worth seeing. The easiest way to get there is by bus or taxi from Yamashina Station.

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Ōtoyo Shrine

This small, secluded shrine is located near the southern end of the Philosopher’s Path.

Instead of the Komainu statues that typically stand guard at the gates of shrines and temples around Japan, Otoyo Shrine has small yet mighty mice at the entryway.

From late March to early April, visitors can enjoy the blooming of the approximately 400-year-old camellia, “Ōtoyo Yaegakura,” alongside beautiful weeping cherry blossoms.

Honman-ji Temple

This is one of Kyoto’s hidden gems.

The large, early-blooming weeping cherry tree is a popular spot among those in the know. This majestic tree is iconic and a sibling to the renowned weeping cherry in Maruyama Park’s Gion district. It produces delicate, pale pink, five-petaled flowers. Its bloom arrives a week earlier than the popular Somei Yoshino variety, painting the landscape with its unique charm from mid-March to late April.

The location is about a 10-minute walk from Demachiyanagi Station.

Suika Tenmangu Shrine

This is a small shrine facing Horikawa Street. It is the first Tenmangu shrine in Japan dedicated to the spirit of Sugawara-no-Michizane, the deity of wisdom and learning.

The crimson weeping cherry tree on the grounds has made the shrine a popular spot for viewing cherry blossoms. At night, the lanterns and cherry blossoms create a beautiful scene.

Other famous cherry blossom spots in Nishijin are nearby, such as Honpo-ji Temple and Myoken-ji Temple.