The cherry blossoms are blooming! If you’re in Japan now or plan to be in the next week, you MUST check out these 5 sakura spots in Kyoto!
As a man living in Kyoto on a working holiday visa, I longed for the day that I’d finally see Japan’s beautiful cherry blossoms in full bloom!
This year, many visitors are frustrated that the lovely pink petals have been delayed due to poor weather. However, as April kicks off, we are finally starting to see the early blooming of cherry blossoms in Kyoto.
For those who are in Kyoto now or plan to be in the next couple of weeks, these are the top 5 sakura spots I’ve found for the best cherry blossom viewing!
1. Fukutomi Inari Shrine (Chokenji Temple)
Not to be confused with Fushimi Inari Taisha, the Fukutomi Inari Shrine is just a short walk from Chushojima station on Kyoto’s Keihan Line.
Open to the public, this shrine is difficult to find on the maps (unless you can read Japanese), so I suggest finding Chokenji Temple instead, as they are on the same grounds.
Not only can you get those iconic cherry blossom and temple backdrop shots here, but you can also find an abundance of low-hanging branches full of those lovely pink petals.
2. Benten Bridge
Quite literally a few steps from the Fukutomi Inari Shrine is a small bridge with a spectacular view known as the Benten Bridge (not to be confused with the cartoon).
This is a fantastic spot for seeing the classic cherry blossom and river dynamic that we all see in those Japan travel adverts but in a not-so-crowded space.
It’s also pretty cool to see a bunch of traditional Japanese wooden boats decked up in one place, as this area is typically used as a port.
If you follow the canal just a few meters down past Kakinokihama Park (easy to find on Maps), you’ll see these five iconic sakura trees showcasing five different breeds of cherry blossom!
3. Kyobashi Bridge
If you follow the canal in the other direction, you will arrive at Kyobashi Bridge, one of the most iconic photo spots for cherry blossoms I’ve seen thus far.
Here, those traditional wooden boats you saw docked at the Benten Bridge are in full flight (or…sail?) as they pass through a brilliant forest of cherry blossoms while giving their passengers the boat tour of a lifetime!
In fact, you can book one of these tours at Fushimi Jukoku-bune, a company dedicated to awesome boat tours around Fushimi’s port town side.
Whether you decide to jump on the boat or not, the Kyobashi Bridge area is fantastic for viewing an abundance of cherry blossoms along a peaceful and serine canal.
4. Go River
As you follow the canal from Chushojima’s Benten Bridge through the Kyobashi Bridge and beyond, the canal eventually opens up to what is known as the Go River.
From here on, things just keep getting better! The waterway opens up wider, the cherry blossom trees become thicker and more huddled together, and a brilliant reflection of the sakura branches can be seen against the water.
The walking paths along the Go River are filled with romantic couples, happy family picnics, and professional photographers, all united by the beauty of the cherry blossom!
It felt like I had stepped into heaven as I walked through this visually stunning masterpiece of nature amongst the unconditionally happy people (seriously, it’s hard not to be when you’re in a place like this).
5. Sanjo Station Backstreets
Another fantastic cherry blossom viewing spot is in the backstreets of Sanjo station just off Kyoto’s Kamo River.
This area is filled with hotels and hostels to cater to the endless tourists visiting the Gion Geisha district just around the corner.
I found myself exploring these backstreets after finding a job at one of the local hotels. It was fascinating how few people were aware of the abundance of cherry blossoms in these backstreets (I guess they all ran off to Gion!).
As a bonus, you can also cross the main road and walk along the Kamo River on the opposite side where there are more sakura trees to be admired.
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!