Why not go on a spectacular stroll surrounded by cherry blossoms in spring in Kyoto?

We will introduce a course that starts from Kitayama Station on the Karasuma Subway Line, which runs north and south through the city center, and goes through the Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Gardens in full bloom in spring, where you can see about 180 varieties of cherry blossoms, and the Hanki-no-Michi path that creates a cherry blossom tunnel along the Kamo River, before heading to Kamigamo Shrine, a World Heritage Site decorated with fine cherry trees.

[START] Kitayama Station on the Karasuma Subway Line

　　↓ (Just a short walk away)

 Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Garden

　　↓ (Just a short walk away)

 Half-timbered road

　　↓ (About 10 minutes walk)

 Cherry blossom trees along the Kamo River

　　↓ (About 15 minutes walk)

[GOAL] Kamigamo Shrine

Enjoy a cherry blossom viewing stroll unique to Kyoto in the spring, touring hidden cherry blossom spots beloved by locals and enjoying the contrast between the babbling Kamo River and the cherry blossoms.

◆Start here! Kitayama Station (Subway)

Kitayama Station on the Karasuma Subway Line is about 15 minutes away from Kyoto Station, the gateway to Kyoto, and Shijo Station, a convenient base for sightseeing, without transfers. It is located in a quiet area a little way from the city center. The Kitayama Gate of the first destination, Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Garden, is right outside Exit 3 of the station. Purchase a ticket from the ticket machine to enter the garden.

◆Kyoto Botanical Gardens – See a wide variety of cherry blossoms at Japan's oldest botanical garden

Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Garden, which opened in 1924 (Taisho 13), is the oldest public comprehensive botanical garden in Japan, and celebrated its 2024th anniversary last year in 100. The vast garden, which covers a total area of ​​approximately 24 hectares, includes areas such as one of the largest observation greenhouses in the country and the Japanese Forest Botanical Ecological Garden, where plants native to the mountains and fields of Japan are planted in a natural environment, and approximately 1 species of plants are exhibited and cultivated.

The number of cherry blossom varieties is one of the largest in the country, with a whopping 200 varieties including those in the backyard. There are 180 cherry blossom trees of 500 varieties that visitors can see, and they can be enjoyed over a long period of time, from early-blooming varieties in early March to late-blooming varieties in late April.

Once you enter through the Kitayamamon Gate, head first to the "Sakura Variety Sample Garden." Here, you can enjoy a wide variety of varieties at once, centered around Satozakura, a type of cherry blossom that has been hand-cultivated from wild species that grow in the mountains and fields. Be sure to check out rare varieties such as the green-flowered "Gyoikou" and the yellow-flowered "Ukon."

To the north of the greenhouse is the "Cherry Blossom Grove," which is centered around Somei-Yoshino and Yaebenishidar, and to the east is the "Great Lawn," where you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing in a picnic mood. In the iris garden located to the north of the Great Lawn, you can also view the famous "Oshidarezakura," a tree that is descended from the "Gion Shidarezakura," the symbol of Maruyama Park, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot.

<Best time to see cherry blossoms>
Mid to late March: Kawazu cherry blossoms and other early-blooming varieties
Late March to early April: Large weeping cherry blossoms, Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms
Early to late April: Late-blooming varieties such as Satozakura

【Facility information】
Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Gardens
Address: Shimogamo Hangicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City
Phone number 075-701-0141
Business hours: 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:00)
Closed: December 12th to January 28th
Admission fee until March 2025, 3 (admission fee only): 31 yen for adults, 200 yen for high school students, free for junior high school students and younger and those 150 years old and older
From April 2025, 4 (entrance fee + greenhouse viewing fee) 1 yen for adults, 500 yen for high school students and those aged 70 and over, free for junior high school students and younger
Official website　https://www.pref.kyoto.jp/plant/
Instagram　@kyoto_botagrdns

◆Hanki-no-michi – A walking path along the Kamo River dyed pink with cherry blossoms

As you leave the main gate of the botanical garden, you will see the Kamo River flowing immediately to your right.

The official name is "Kamogawa," but locals refer to the upstream section of the "Kamogawa Delta," where the Kamogawa and Takanogawa rivers join, as "Kamogawa," and the downstream section as "Kamogawa."

The "Hanki no Michi" is a walking path that stretches along the east bank of the Kamo River, about 800 meters long. Deep pink weeping cherry trees are planted here, and when in full bloom they create a magnificent "cherry blossom tunnel"! The view of the line of Somei-Yoshino cherry trees on the opposite bank is also beautiful. We head north along the river, taking in the Kyoto-like spring scenery of blue skies, the Kamo River, and the cherry blossoms.

The Hango Trail ends at the foot of Kitayama Ohashi Bridge. When you get here, descend to the riverbed and go under the bridge.

From here, the road lined with Somei-Yoshino cherry trees continues all the way to Misonobashi Bridge, close to Kamigamo Shrine. You can continue walking along the riverbank, but we also recommend heading out onto Kamonishi-dori, which runs parallel to the east side of the river. You can walk under the cherry blossoms that hang over the road.

The further north you go, the fewer people there are and the more relaxed and peaceful the atmosphere becomes. Compared to the crowded tourist areas in the lower reaches of the Kamo River, this is a hidden spot where you can enjoy Kyoto's cherry blossoms in a quieter environment.

<Best time to see cherry blossoms>
3 late month - 4 early month

【Facility information】
Nakaraki no Michi (Landscape Road)
Address: Shimogamo Hangi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto (along the Kamo River)

◆Kamigamo Shrine – Enjoy the historic cherry blossoms at Kyoto's oldest shrine

After walking along the Kamo River for about 30 to 40 minutes, you will reach Misono Bridge. If you look east from the foot of the bridge, you will see the large torii gate of Kamigamo Shrine. Finally, you have arrived at your final destination.

Kamigamo Shrine, a World Heritage Site, is one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto. Its official name is Kamo Wakeikazuchi Shrine. The main hall and secondary hall are designated national treasures, and the other 41 shrine buildings are designated important cultural properties. The grounds are dotted with famous trees such as Saio Sakura, Gosho Sakura, Furyu Sakura, and Miare Sakura, and the shrine is also known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot.

Particularly beautiful are the two weeping cherry trees that stand on the lawn between the first and second torii gates. The Saio Sakura is a weeping cherry tree with magnificent spreading branches, and the Gosho Sakura is a fine tree over 2 years old that was bestowed by Emperor Komei from the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

Each cherry blossoms at a different time, with the Gosho Sakura reaching its peak about a week earlier than the Saio Sakura. If you're lucky, you might be able to enjoy the white weeping Gosho Sakura and the red blossoms of the Saio Sakura at the same time. The combination of red and white cherry blossoms, lush green grass, and white sand approach to the shrine makes for a beautiful sight.

At the rest area on the shrine grounds, Kamiyama Spring Water Coffee Sen, you can taste coffee brewed with the famous water that flows from Kamiyama, where Kamigamo Shrine's deity, Kamo Wakeikazuchi no Okami, is said to have descended, so be sure to stop by.

<Best time to see cherry blossoms>
3 late month - 4 middle of the month

【Facility information】
Kamigamo Shrine
Address: 339 Kamigamomotoyama, Kita-ku, Kyoto
Phone number 075-781-0011
Opening hours: Ninotorii 5:30-17:00, Romon and gift shop 8:00-16:45
Official website　https://www.kamigamojinja.jp/
Instagram　@kamigamojinja.official

This course runs from Kitayama Station to Kamigamo Shrine, where you can encounter tranquil cherry blossom scenery beloved by locals. Take a leisurely stroll in the shade of the cherry trees with the Kamo River flowing beside you, and enjoy a special moment to fully appreciate the spring in Kyoto.

Text by Erina Nomura

Erina Nomura
A writer born in Osaka in 1986 and currently living in Kyoto. After graduating from university, he worked for a production company involved in a variety of media, including publishing, advertising, and the web. In 2020, he went independent and is now working as a freelancer. His areas of interest include craftsmanship, traditional culture, lifestyle, and travel. As a Kyoto correspondent for Premium Japan, he reports on the latest happenings in Kyoto through the "Kyoto News" section of the editorial department's blog.