Local Guide
2025 Edition] Recommended Cherry Blossom Spots in the Arashiyama Area of Kyoto and along the Randen Line

Kyoto, with its beautiful scenery of seasonal nature and historical architecture, is a sightseeing spot full of attractions that attracts people. Among them, cherry blossom viewing is a classic sightseeing spot in Kyoto that should not be missed. This article focuses on the Arashiyama area, which was loved by Heian aristocrats and the imperial family, and introduces recommended cherry blossom viewing spots.

Dreamy time running through a tunnel of cherry blossoms

When the cherry blossoms are at their best, you can see cherry blossoms blowing in the wind as trains pass by (image courtesy of Keifuku Electric Railway).
When the cherry blossoms are at their best, you can see cherry blossoms blowing in the wind as trains pass by (image courtesy of Keifuku Electric Railway).

The Keifuku Electric Railway (commonly known as Randen) is a streetcar line that runs from Arashiyama Station to Kitano Hakubai-cho Station in the Kitano area, where Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is located. Tourists board the trains to see the ancient city atmosphere along the line, which is dotted with World Heritage sites such as Ninna-ji Temple and Ryoan-ji Temple.
The Randen trains, which are usually used to transport people to and from the city, attract even more attention in the spring. A tunnel of about 70 cherry trees planted along the side of the 200-meter line between Utano Station and Narutaki Station on the Kitano Line will appear. Visitors can experience a dreamy moment as if they are enveloped in a world of light red.

Cherry blossom viewing season: Late March to early April
Kind of trees】Someiyoshino etc.

Local Guide Comment
The sight, which can only be seen by riding the train, is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot for those in the know. For more information, please visit the official website of Randen.
Randen, Cherry Tunnel
  • Address ［Narutaki Station, Keifuku Electric Railway
    ［Utano Station, Keifuku Electric Railway Utano Nagao-machi, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto MAP
  • Hours of Operation Up: Departure from Narutaki Station - Arrival at Utano Station: 5:52 - 23:29
    Down: Departure from Utano Station to Narutaki Station: 6:09 - 23:46
  • Admission Fee One-way 250 yen for adults, 120 yen for elementary school students
  • TEL 075-801-2511 (Transportation Division, Railroad Department, Keifuku Electric Railway)
  • Parking None
  • Memo Times are for upbound and downbound Randen schedules as of January 2024.

Cherry blossoms in Arashiyama viewed from the observatory with a great view

The Kameyama area is lined with parkways, plazas, and rest areas. Autumn leaf peeping can be enjoyed.
The Kameyama area is lined with parkways, plazas, and rest areas. Autumn leaf peeping can be enjoyed.

The Arashiyama area has been known since the Heian period (794-1192) as a vacation home for royalty and nobility and as one of the most scenic spots in Kyoto. Arashiyama Park" consists of the Nakanoshima, Rinsenji, and Kameyama areas along the Katsura River that flows through this area.
The Kameyama district, located southeast of Mt. Ogura, which is famous for its autumn foliage and is mentioned in Japanese poetry, is a rich natural area with cherry trees and maple trees planted, as well as a cluster of mountain azaleas. From the observatory in the district, which serves as a hiking course, visitors can view the approximately 1,500 magnificent cherry trees blooming on Arashiyama, which is 382 meters above sea level.

Cherry blossom viewing season: Mid-March to late April
Kind of trees】Someiyoshino, yamazakura, shidarezakura (weeping cherry), etc.

Local Guide Comment
The best view of cherry blossoms in Arashiyama can be seen from the observatory in Arashiyama Park (Kameyama area). The beauty of the valley in Oku-Arashiyama is also a must-see. You can enjoy the cherry blossoms and the spectacular view at the same time.
Arashiyama Park, Kameyama area Viewing platform (Kameyama Park)
  • Address Saga, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto MAP
  • Direction 10 min. walk from Arashiyama Station on the Keifuku Electric Railway Line (to the park entrance along the Hozugawa River on the Arashiyama side)

A famous temple in Saga Arashiyama where the five-story pagoda stands out against the Omuro cherry blossoms

Omuro-zakura cherry blossoms are just a stone's throw away from the park. Because it is a shrub, you can appreciate every detail of the petals.
Omuro-zakura cherry blossoms are just a stone's throw away from the park. Because it is a shrub, you can appreciate every detail of the petals.

This famous World Heritage temple was founded in 888 (Ninna 4). Since the first abbot was the Honorable Emperor Uda, it has been regarded as a prestigious temple as a monzeki-zeki (monastic) temple where members of the imperial family have served as abbots until the 30th Honorable Prince Sunnin.
Known as a cherry blossom viewing spot, someiyoshino cherry trees and weeping cherry trees bloom on the temple grounds. Among them, the forest of late-blooming omuro-zakura (Omuro-zakura) is a scenery unique to Ninna-ji Temple. When taking pictures, it is best to place the 2-3 meter tall Omuro-zakura in the foreground with the five-story pagoda in the background to capture a beautiful shot.

Cherry blossom viewing season: Mid-April to late April
Kind of trees】Omuro-zakura (Omuro-zakura), Someiyoshino (Someiyoshino), etc.

Local Guide Comment
The collaboration of the five-story pagoda, which is also an important cultural asset, and Omurozakura is magnificent. You can see the cherry blossoms at eye level, so you can enjoy a different kind of cherry blossom viewing than usual.
Ninna-ji Temple
  • Address 33 Omuro-Ouchi, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto MAP
  • Direction Approximately a 3-minute walk from Omuro-Ninnaji Station on the Keifuku Electric Railway Line
  • Bus Direction From JR Kyoto Station, take Kyoto City Bus No. 26 and get off at "Omuro Ninnaji Temple".
  • Hours of Operation March-November: 9:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:30)
    Mon. to Feb. 9:00 - 16:30 (last admission at 16:00)
  • Admission Fee Gosho Garden Adults 800 yen
    Omuro Flower Festival Special Entrance Fee Adults 500 yen
    Free for high school students and younger
  • TEL 075-461-1155
  • Parking Charged
  • Memo Public transportation is recommended as there is almost no Parking in the neighborhood

Encounter interesting cherry blossoms at the temple associated with the Tale of Genji

Weeping cherry tree near the Niomon Gate welcoming visitors with a quiet atmosphere.
Weeping cherry tree near the Niomon Gate welcoming visitors with a quiet atmosphere.

The Saga no Mido (hall at Saga) was built by Minamoto no Toru, a nobleman of the Heian period, who was the subject of Hikaru Genji, the hero of "The Tale of Genji". The hall houses the National Treasure "Shakusendan Shakyamuni Buddha", which is said to be a copy of the Buddha's appearance when he was 37 years old during his lifetime, and the three Buddhas "Seikaji no Mida Sanson" (National Treasure), which were modeled after the face of Lord Yutaka.
Usually from mid-March, weeping cherry trees and Someiyoshino cherry trees bloom on the temple grounds. The cherry blossoms are elegant and graceful, as if they are nestled in a temple with a rich history.

Cherry blossom viewing season: Mid-March to late April
Tree species】shidare-zakura (weeping cherry), someiyoshino (someiyoshino), etc.

Local Guide Comment
In front of the Issai-kyozo (the storehouse of the complete Buddhist scriptures) on the right side of the Niomon Gate, weeping cherry trees spread their crimson branches. Someiyoshino cherry trees are located in front of the Taho-to (pagoda), and weeping cherry trees are in front of the memorial tower for Emperor Saga, creating a beautiful harmony between the historical buildings and vivid cherry blossoms.
(Image courtesy of Seiryouji Temple)
(Image courtesy of Seiryouji Temple)
Seiryo-ji Temple
  • Address 46 Fujinoki-cho, Saga-Shakado, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto MAP
  • Direction Approx. 12 min. walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Stn.
    From JR Kyoto Station, take the Kyoto Bus or City Bus, get off at Saga Shakado-mae bus stop, and walk about 1 minute.
  • Business hours 9:00-16:00
  • Closed Not available (may be closed during Buddhist memorial services and other events)
  • Admission fee Adults 500 yen, junior high and high school students 400 yen, elementary school students 300 yen
  • TEL 075-861-0343
  • Parking Yes (800 yen/day for a standard car)

The graceful weeping cherry tree at the Niomon gate is the temple's specialty. Ogurayama, a famous temple known for the Hyakunin Isshu poem.

The weeping cherry trees that add color to the natural beauty of the mountains are breathtaking (image courtesy of Joujakkoji Temple).
The weeping cherry trees that add color to the natural beauty of the mountains are breathtaking (image courtesy of Joujakkoji Temple).

The main hall, pagoda, storehouse, and Niomon Gate are located on the scenic mountainside of Mt. In spring, the temple is filled with flowers such as yamazakura (mountain cherry), higan shidare-zakura (weeping cherry), mitsuba azalea, and wildflowers, and birds chirp in the air. The scene spreading out before one's eyes is reminiscent of the paradise of this world. The weeping cherry tree near the Niomon Gate is especially popular.
In a corner of the temple grounds, part of the remains of the residence of Ogura Sanso, where the famous waka poet Fujiwara no Teika of the Kamakura period (1185-1333) is said to have chosen Ogura Hyakunin Isshu (One Hundred Poems of Ogura), can still be seen.

Cherry blossom viewing season】Mid March to late April
Tree species】Yama-zakura, higan shidare-zakura (weeping cherry), etc.

Local Guide Comment
From the viewing platform at the top of the stairs, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Kyoto. On a fine day, you can even see Mt. Hiei over the cherry blossoms. The fresh greenery in early summer and maple trees in autumn are also wonderful.
Jojakkoji Temple
  • Address 3 Sagan Ogurayama Ogura-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto MAP
  • Direction 15 min. walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Stn.
  • Hours of Operation 9:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:30)
  • Admission Fee 500 yen
  • TEL 075-861-0435
  • Parking Charged

The cherry blossom path leading from the main gate to the main hall is breathtakingly beautiful.

The approach to the temple, with Mt. Ogura in the background, is tinted in spring colors (image courtesy of Nison-in Temple).
The approach to the temple, with Mt. Ogura in the background, is tinted in spring colors (image courtesy of Nison-in Temple).

This temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism was established between 834 and 848 (Jouwa era). The name of the temple, located at the foot of Mt. Ogura, which is also famous for its autumn foliage, comes from the fact that its principal deities, Shakyamuni Buddha and Amida Nyorai, are enshrined here.
The approach to the temple is straight ahead of the main gate. The cherry blossoms and maple trees planted on both sides of the path make it a path of light red cherry blossoms in spring and a path of bright red and yellow autumn leaves in fall. Don't miss the late-blooming nison-infugenzou cherry blossoms next to the main hall and the photogenic hanachozu (flower water) decorated with seasonal flowers.

Cherry blossom viewing season: Mid-March to early May
Tree species】Shidare-zakura (weeping cherry), Nison-infugenzou-zakura (Japanese cherry), etc.

Local Guide Comment
Visitors can also enjoy the weeping cherry tree that adorns the main hall, which is designated as a cultural asset by Kyoto City, and the Nison-infugenzo-zakura, a rare type of double-flowered cherry tree.
Nison-in Temple
  • Address 27 Chogami-cho, Saga Nison-in Monzen, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto MAP
  • Direction Approx. 15 min. walk from Arashiyama Station on the Keifuku Electric Railway Line.
    From JR Kyoto Station, take the Kyoto Bus or City Bus, get off at Saga Shakado-mae bus stop, and walk about 10 minutes.
  • Business Hours 9:00-16:30 (last admission)
  • Admission fee Adults (junior high school students and older): 600 yen, elementary school students and younger: free
  • TEL 075-861-0687

MAP

along the Randen Line
Arashiyama
Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby
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The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.