It is Time for Sakura Viewing Again in Kyoto. The Pink Sakura is More Matched with The Ancient Capital.

Tetugakuno Michi is known as the first famous sakura appreciation site in Kyoto. It is a riverside path in Sakyo-ku. It starts from Kumano Nyakuoji Shrine in the south and ends at Ginkakuji Temple in the north, with a total length of about 2km. It is said that the famous philosopher Nishida Kitaro enjoyed strolling and thinking about things here. Thus, it deserves its name.

Every spring, sakura bursts into bloom on both sides of the stream. At the first sight, Tetugakuno Michi is surrounded by pink Yoshino cherries. Occasionally, several white cherry trees appear, which are mainly prunus speciosa growing in the coastal area to the south of Kanto. The famous Japanese painter Hashimoto Kansetsu was famous for his paintings of prunus speciosa. His wife donated a number of prunus speciosa which were planted on Tetugakuno Michi. Thus, the local people call them “Kansetsu Sakura”.

Kiyomizu Temple is the calling card of Kyoto. It is the oldest temple in Kyoto. It was built in 798 A.D. and is mainly dedicated to the goddess of mercy. Kiyomizu Temple is beautiful all the year round, and it looks the most special during the sakura season and red leaf season. In the sakura season, you can enjoy lannesiana at Kiyomizu Temple and the red leaf season is one of the best viewing spots.

At Kiyomizu Temple, there is also a landlord shrine for marriage. In addition, it is very close to Sannenzaka Ninenzaka. You can stroll about them together. There are many stores near Kiyomizu Temple providing one-day kimono experience such as Okamoto fabric. You can wear a kimono to take beautiful photos at Kiyomizu Temple.

Nijojo, built in 1603 by Ieyasu Tokugawa, witnessed the rise and fall of the Ieyasu Tokugawa. It is a place of transfer for Japanese dynasties throughout history. There are quite a few architectural relics worth exploring, including Motorikyu, Nijo Palace, Honmaru Palace, the Southeast Turret and Nijojo Garden, etc.

In addition, there are about 360 cherry trees of 45 kinds planted in Nijojo. Nijojo is a holy place for sakura viewing in spring. The lannesiana in Nijojo is also very famous.

Located in Fushimi Inari and built in 874, Daigoji Temple has the oldest five-storied wooden pagoda in Kyoto, and it is also the general temple of Shingon Daigo, a Japanese Buddhist sect. It is famous for the grand sakura banquet held here by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

In 1598, Toyotomi Hideyoshi transplanted more than 700 cherry trees from Kinai for sakura viewing, built Samboin Temple and its courtyard and held a grand banquet. In the sakura season, we can see sakuara of high quality here, and the lannesiana is also very beautiful.

Heian Shrine was built in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the transfer of Emperor Kammu from Heijyokyo (currently Nara) to Heiankyo (currently Kyoto). In 1895, due to the chaos caused by war at the end of Tokugawa Shogunate, the downtown was abandoned, and the capital of the Meiji restoration was built in Tokyo. This was a mental combat against the residents in Kyoto. The existence of Heian Shrine is a symbol connecting the past and the future in Kyoto.

Heian Shrine is one of the best venues to view sakura in spring. There are a large number of cherry trees in the shrine. Behind the main building of the shrine, there is one of the best scenic spots in Kyoto to view sakura. Okazaki Canal outside Heian Shrine connects Biwa Lake Canal with the Kamo River. There are many cherry trees along the river, and sightseeing boats rundown it during the flower season.

Arashiyama is located in the suburb of Kyoto, where you can view sakura in spring and red maples in autumn. It is reputed for being “the first scenic spot in Kyoto”. Many ancient temples and shrines have been reserved here. Tenryu-ji Temple is a world heritage site. Besides, Bamboo Path, the location of Ang Lee’s film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, is also very popular among tourists.

It’s very romantic to visit Arashiyama by a small train in Sagano. The train runs along the railway in Hozukyo. You will be fascinated by blossoming sakura in spring, murmuring stream in summer, dancing red leaves in autumn and white snow in winter. You can also go to Kameoka to experience rafting or cruising on the Hozu River, walk through picturesque canyons and finally arrive at Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama.

Maruyama Park is the oldest Park in Kyoto. Just behind the Yakasa shrine, it covers an area of 86600 square meters and has more than 800 cherry trees growing in it. The most remarkableone here is a 12-meter-tall "cherry tree", known as more than 200 years old. The first generation cherry tree died in Zhaohe in 22 years. At that time, it was 220 years old. Now this plant is actually a second generation plant. Zhaohe took the seeds from the first generation in 3 years, so it's not even 100 years old.

There is no ticket here. From late March to early April, there are many Hutai tea houses with stalls and lights in the evening. Tourists can sit under the cherry tree and enjoy a picnic. When the breeze blows, it is full of cherry snow. It is very romantic.

Renhe temple, one of Japan's "Cherry Blossom Hundred Selections", is known as "Yushi Yushu" because many royal family members have become monks here, and the cherry planted here is also known as "Yushi cherry". The Yu Shi cherry is a kind of Li cherry. Its flowering period is 7 to 10 days later than that of the late blooming branch, about the middle of April. Therefore, it is usually the last flowering place in Kyoto, enjoying the reputation of "the last flower in Kyoto".

More than 200 Royal cherries are planted in the temple and concentrated in the same area. They can be viewed close up along the trail. Generally, cherry blossoms grow at the end of branches, but the Royal Chamber cherry is full of flowers from the beginning to the end. The flowers are white and large in shape, very dense and numerous. There is a small mound at the back. Standing on it, you can take a picture of the Royal Chamber cherry and the five fold pagoda. It is the most classic and beautiful feast of Renhe temple.