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Comprehensive guide for Sakura in Kyoto 2024 京都の桜につき英語で説明

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Introduction

In this post, I’ll show you the way to enjoy Sakura in Kyoto: When and where to see, kinds of Sakura the reason we love them, and top 5 places. 合掌

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When can we enjoy Sakura?

Schedule

  • Kawazu Zakura・・・Start blooming: late January or early February   Full bloom: Mid-March
  • Somei Yoshino・・・ Start blooming: Mid to late-March   Full bloom: Late March to early April
  • Shidare Zakura Zakura・・・ Start blooming: Mid to late-March   Full bloom: Late March to mid-April
  • Ohsima Zakura and Yamazakura・・・ Start blooming: Mid to late-March   Full bloom: Late March to mid-April
  • Omuro Zakura・・・ Start blooming: Early to Mid-April   Full bloom: Mid to Late April
  • Kitano Zakura ・・・Start blooming: Early to Mid-April   Full bloom: Mid to Late April
  • Other late-bloom Sakura・・・Start blooming: Early to Mid-April   Full bloom: Mid to Late April

There are many kinds of Sakura. Actually, flowers called Sakura blooms all through the year except summer. In this post. I’ll show you the ones we find in spring.

Kawzu Zakura 河津桜

京都河津桜開花状況2023

Kawazu Zakura is the earliest bloom Sakura in Kyoto.

Somei Yoshino 染井吉野

嵐山桜開花情報2022

Somei Yoshino is so-called Sakura. When we say Sakura, we means Somei Yoshino, .

Shidare Zakura 枝垂桜

高台寺の桜2018

Shidare Zakura is also known as “Weeping Sakura/ Cherry blossom.” We called it “Shidare” especially in casual way, There are many kinds of Shidare and they start blooming from mid-March to mid-April. We can enjoy them all through Sakura season.

Yama Zakura 山桜

京都の桜開花状況2021年3月

Yama Zakura is Sakura with red leaves. You’ll find it with Mt. Fuji on the tail of 1,000 yen bill.

シカさん
シカさん

Not the one with two cranes. If you have the Mt. Fuji one, check out 3 Sakura on upper light. You’ll find 二、ホ、and ン (二ホン=Japan) in each flower.

 

Oshima Zakura 大島桜

哲学の道の桜2016

Oshima Zakura is one of the most popular Sakura with sweet fragrance.

Omuro Zakura 御室桜

御室桜

Omuro Zakura is known as “The latest bloom Sakura in Kyoto.” It is indigenous to Omuro Ninnaji temple and we can find it Ninnnaji, Haradanien garden.

Kitano Zakura 北野桜

北野桜開花状況2022

Kitano Zakura was true “The latest bloom Sakura in Kyoto” but we cannot enjoy them any longer. The last time we saw her is 2023.

Other late bloom Sakura 他の桜

Some Sakura bloom after mid-April.

楊貴妃 桜

Yokihi  (Yang Guifei)

御衣黄桜

Gyoiko.

たけちよ
たけちよ

Thye are popular ones and there are other late bloomers.

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Why do we love Sakura?

As described in this post, we detest anything anemic, especially a state of mind. We always an opportunity to come alive anew. For this aim, we carry out many things. For example, one of the reason we put Matsuri in practice. In this kind of Matsuri, we welcome reborn Kami to revitalize our life.

In winter, our body and soul is weak. And when spring comes, we convict that our lives came back to us again and they start again. This conviction is hidden our idea and attitude for spring. Sakura blooms in the end of winter and the begging of spring. I, as a Japanese goat, suppose the season Sakura blooms goes with and affect what we feel about our idea for spring. Actually, the fiscal year of Japan starts on April 1st. Schools and companies start their new year on the day. We have many beautiful spring memories with parents, relatives, friends, and collogues. Some have gone, some remain. Every year, Sakura reminds us of these memories.

Sakura lasts only for a week. We find Sakura is Hakanai (fragile) and it conjures up Shogyo Mujo. Shogyo Mujo is an idea of Buddhism. In a nut shell, it means everything changes without stopping and nothing is invariable and leads to Zen. When Sakura falls off, we remember, without consciousness, everything is variable and understand all we can do is to live the moment.

That’s the reason we love Sakure, I’m sure.

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Top 5 places to enjoy Sakura お花見ベスト5

The following is the top 5 paces to enjoy Sakura in Kyoto. I’m sure you already see many guide books or website. In this post, I, as a Kyotoite, will show you the best places to admire Sakura. In Haradanien Garden and Maruyama park, you can enjoy popular Ohanami (Sakura viewing) experience with drinks and food.

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#1 Haradanien Garden 原谷苑

Overview 概要

Now we are well prepared for Haradanien. Enjoy the video, BAAH!

Haradanien is a private garden only open to public in spring and autumn. It is not a famous place to enjoy cherry blossom, especially Shidare Zakura. In addition to it, we can enjoy almost all spring flowers in Kyoto.

七里ヶ浜親方
七里ヶ浜親方

One of the most popular destination among so-called Kyoto-enthusiasts. DO NOT MISS IT.

たけちよ
たけちよ

It used to be a dump site. I can’t believe it!!!

Schedule of 2024 2024年の日程

  • Dates: 3/23~4/25
  • Open hours: 9:00~17:00 (Entrance closes at 16:30)
  • Entrance Fee: Up to 1,800 JPY (Depends on a day you visit). Cash only.
  • Reservation of Bento Available. See the website of Haradanien (In Japanese only).

Shuttle bus シャトルバス日程

  • Dates: 3/30~4/14
  • Available 9:00~16:00
  • Bus departs in front of Torii Gate of Wara Tenjin.
  • Passengers are needed to wear face mask.
シカさん
シカさん

Shuttle bus is available. Check the post out!

Haradanien garden 2024 : Cherry blossom supreme in Kyoto 原谷苑の桜英語で説明
Haradanien is a private garden only open to public in spring and autumn. It is little-known place but is the most popular destination among Kyoto-enthusiasts. Sakura matsuri 2023: 25/3/2022~23/4/2023

Bentoh (Lunch box) and Wagashi お弁当と和菓子

原谷苑のおべんとう原谷苑のおべんとう

Even without reservation, we can have lunch, Wagashi, soft drinks, and some alcohol  there.

お福さん
お福さん

STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: ICHIGO DAIFUKU.

たけちよ
たけちよ

Enjoy the Superb OHanami experience, BAAAH!!!

About Haradanien garden

  • Name:Haradanien 原谷苑
  • Address:36 Okitayama Haradani Inui cho, Kita ward, Kyoto city 603-8487
  • Phone:075-461-2924
  • Website:Haradanien official (Japanese language only)
  • Open hours 9:30~17:00 (Enter by 16:30)
  • Time required 1 hour~
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#2 Kiyomizudera Temple 清水寺

Overview 概要

Kiyomizudera temple is the most famous destination in Kyoto. It shows us one of the most amazing cherry blossoms.

KIYOMIZUDERA temple guide: Deities, stage, renovation, mainhall, must-sees 清水寺につき英語で説明
The absolute guide of Kiyomizudera temple. Deities, stage, renovation, main hall and othre must-sees, all the things available.

By the 19th century, people carried out Tobiochi Gankeke from the iconic stage. They threw themselves off of the stave in order to make their wishes come true. There used to be many Sakura Trees under the stage and they saved their lives.

The stage of Kiyomizudera temple: Its construction and Tobiochi Gankake 清水寺の舞台英語で説明
The main hall and the stage of Kiyomizudera are over a valley, constructed in Kakezukuri (懸造) method.People used to jump off the stage to make their wishes come true.

Jishu shrine, the Chinsyu Sha (Check out the post on Shinbutsu Shugo) of Kiyojmizudera temple is also a popular place for Sakura.

Jishu jinja shrine in Kyoto, love rocks, and Goen
Goen is a tie/bond between something of someone. Jishu jinja shrine in Kyoto gives us extraordinary Goen for loeve seekers. We foresee our love goes with "Love rocks" and have lots of good fortunes form sub-shrines.
お福さん
お福さん

Jishu shrine is closed by the end of 2024 due to renovation.

Night Illumination ライトアップ

  • Dates 3/23/2024~3/31/2024
  • Open hours ~21:30
  • Entrance fee 400 JPY

Night illumination is also available but this year Somei Yoshihno bloom later than expected. I’m afraid they are not in full bloom by 3/31.

たけちよ
たけちよ

Enjoy them in the video instead.

How to get to Kiyomizudera temple? 清水寺へのアクセス

Train: Keihan Gion shijo/Gojozaka station or Hankyu Kawaramachi station.

Kyoto city bus: Sijo Kawaramachi/Gion bus stop. Gojyozaka and Kiyomizu michi bus stop is not available because they are so crowded.

Kyoto station to Kiyomizudera by bus: To avoid busy route
Kiyomizudera temple is the most popular destination for tourist in Kyoto. From Kyoto station, the route 206 bus is always crowded. In this post, I'll show you the other ways to avoid that busy route. 

About Kiyomizudera temple 清水寺基本情報

  • 294 Kiyomizu 1-chome, Higashiyama , Kyoto city, 605-0862
  • Phone 075-551-1234
  • Website Kiyomizudera official (English)
  • Entrance fee: 400 yen
  • Night Illumination: 18:00-21:00
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#3 Ryoanji Temple

Overview 概要

Ryoanji is famous for “The Rock Garden.” We can admire beautiful Shidare Zakura behind the wall of the Karesansui garden supreme. In addition to it, the temple has a large stroll garden with Somei Yoshino.

七里ヶ浜親方
七里ヶ浜親方

The Rock Garden is sometimes called Zen garden but it sounds so strange. We call it Karesansui. Check the post out!

たけちよ
たけちよ

I’m a Japanese goat and I’ve never said “Zen garden” in my life.

Zen garden or Karesansui? 枯山水庭園英語で説明
"Zen garden" sounds strange for us. It is a Karesansui (garden). In this post, we learn what Karesansui is overviewing a short history of it.
七里ヶ浜親方
七里ヶ浜親方

I prefer this moment.

たけちよ
たけちよ

The Shidare Zakura blooms later than Somei Yoshino, about couples of days.

シカさん
シカさん

Behind the wall.

Stroll garden 回遊式庭園

桜と鏡容池

The stroll garden has many Somei Yoshino.

龍安寺の木瓜

About Royoanji Temple 龍安寺基本情報

  • Name: Daiunzan Rryoanji 大雲山 龍安寺
  • Address: 13 Ryoanji Goryonoshita cho, Ukyo ward, Kyoto, 〒616-8001
  • Phone: 075-463-2216
  • FAX: 075-463-2218
  • Website: Roanji Official
  • Open Hours March~November: 8:00~17:00 December~February: 18:00~16:30
  • Entrence Fee: 500 JPY (under 15 years old: 300 JPY)

How to get to Ryoanji Temple? 龍安寺へのアクセス

About a couple of minutes walk from Ryoanji Mae bus stop.

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#4 Maruayma park 円山公園

Overview 概要

円山公園の枝垂桜2017

Maruyama park is a popular public park in Kyoto. It is located near Yasaka shrine or Kodaiji temple. It has many cherry blossom tress. The most famous one is a huge weeping cherry blossom tree. Besides, there are many Somei Yoshino trees in the park.

The park is located adjacent to Yasaka shrine, one of the oldest Shinto shrine/ Buddhist temple, and near Kiyomizudera temple, Kodaji temple, and other places.

たけちよ
たけちよ

Yasaka shrine used to be a Buddhist Temple called Kanjiin/ Gion sha under Shinbutsu Shugo, the fusion of Shinto and Buddhism. Check the post out.

Sinbutsu Shugo :Shinto and Buddhism co-existence or fusion 神仏習合英語で説明
Shinbutsu Shogo (神仏習合) is a Shinto and Buddhism co-existence or fusion in Japan. It has over 1,600 years of history.

Night Illumination ライトアップ

  • Dates 3/23/2024~4/7/2024
  • Hours 18:00~22:00

2018年3月27日円山公園の枝垂桜円山公園の桜

We can admire the Shidare illuminated with Night Hanami experience. There are many food stands in the park.

How to get to Maruyama park? 円山公園へのアクセス

Train: Keihan Gion shijo station or Hankyu Kawaramachi station.

Kyoto city bus: Sijo Kawaramachi/Gion bus stop.

About Maruyama park 円山公園基本情報

  • Entrance fee: Free
  • Night illumination: Twilight-12 a.m.
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#5 Heian Jingu shrine 平安神宮

Overview 概要

平安神宮外拝殿平安神宮の桜2017

Heian Jingu shrine is a 5/8 replica of Chodoin complex of facilities in the ancient Imperial court.

As described in The Makioka Sisters, we can admire extraordinary beautiful weeping cherry blossoms in Shinen garden. At night, “Shidare Sakura concert” takes place there.

Sakura Otoyo concert 桜音夜コンサート

  • Dates 4/3/2024~4/7/2023
  • Open hours 18:15~21;00 (Entrance closes at 20:30)
  • Need reservation check the Heianjigu website

平安神宮しだれ桜コンサート2018平安神宮しだれ桜コンサート2018

At night in early April, Shidare Sakura concerts (or recitals) takes place for 3 nights. Shinen garden is illuminated and concert or recital is held around a pond. Each day has 2 concerts/recitals. Once you enter the garden, you can enjoy both of them.

平安神宮しだれ桜コンサート平安神宮しだれ桜コンサート2018

The Shinen garden consists of four gardens and the total area is about 4000 square yard. Most of the cherry blossom trees there are weeping cherry blossom trees. They bloom in the most exquisite way. Night illumination in Heian Jingu shrine is one of the most recommended site to visit.

How to get to Heian Jingu shrine? 平安神宮へのアクセス


Kyoto city bus: Okazaki koen/Bijutsukan Heian Jingu mae bus stop.

About Heian Jingu shrine 平安神宮基本情報

  • Phone 
  • Website Heian Jingu official
  • Entrance fee: Free
  • Open hours: Depends on season (See the website)