Kyoto Cherry Blossoms Guide 2025
Umino Kyoto E-BikesFlowering forecast for 2025
March 27th to April 5th
*Japan Meteorological Agency forecast (as of January 30th)
Sakura in Kyoto
Kyoto is the best place to see cherry blossoms in Japan
Kyoto was the capital of Japan for 1000 years before Japan was westernized. During that time, many people planted and raised cherry trees, harmonizing them with nature and buildings.
The many cherry blossoms along the rivers, in temple gardens, and in the ponds of shrines - the love that the people of Kyoto have for cherry blossoms has accumulated, allowing you to experience beautiful scenery and Japanese culture together with the cherry blossoms.
Very Crowded!
Of course, during cherry blossom season, it gets very crowded with people from Japan and abroad. In the worst case, you'll end up just watching the people.
So today, as a local cycling guide, I'll show you the routes and spots to enjoy the best cherry blossoms without the crowds.
Before viewing the cherry blossoms...
① E-Bikes are the best way to enjoy Kyoto's cherry blossoms
If you try to tour Kyoto in cherry blossom season by taxi or bus, you will experience hell. And the beautiful cherry blossoms are blooming on the hills. So E-Bike will give you the best experience and the fastest way.
There are several bicycle rental shops in Kyoto, but we recommend you use our rental bikes! We are the only shop in Kyoto that has full-fledged E-Bikes, gear, and cycling maps.
Kyoto E-Bike Tours Saiin
About Shop This is our Kyoto base, which just opened in August 2024.It is a little hard to find as it is renov […]
② Take a guided tour
If you want to enjoy the cherry blossoms in more detail, please join our English guided tours. All tours are private, so no matter which one you sign up for, we will take you to the best cherry blossom spots.
The west side (Arashiyama), east side (Philosopher's Path), and south side (Fushimi Inari) are all good, but the cherry blossoms are especially beautiful on the east side course.
Course & Spots
Higashiyama Loop Course (25km,3~4h)
This is a course that runs through the center of Kyoto's sightseeing area, where you can see the most cherry blossoms. If you choose a guided tour, you will be picked up and dropped off at your hotel and it will take 3 hours. If you go by rental bike, you can go around in 4 hours from our shop.
Kamo River
When talking about cherry blossoms in Kyoto, the first thing that comes to mind is the Kamo River. The Kamo River flows through the eastern area of Kyoto, the center of tourism and culture. For over 1,000 years, cherry blossoms have been loved along this river. There is a cycling road along the river, where you can enjoy a pleasant ride.
Gion Shiraka/ Miyagawa
Although it is not a large-scale cherry blossom, the cherry blossoms along the Gion canal look beautiful together with the old streetscape. It is also recommended to visit at night.
Heian Jingu Shrine
If you follow the Okazaki Canal that branches off from the Kamo River, you will come to Heian Shrine. This shrine was relocated from a palace from 1000 years ago, and you can see cherry blossoms in the garden inside.
Yoshida Shrine
North of Heian Shrine is a hill called Yoshidayama, which overlooks Kyoto and is home to a shrine and old luxury homes.
Philosopher's Path
The Philosopher's Path is a small path along the canal from Ginkakuji Temple to Nanzenji Temple. This canal and path continue 10km east to Lake Biwa (Japan's largest lake), and is a great place to cycle.
However, it can get crowded during cherry blossom season, so if it's too crowded, try the path along the second canal next door.
Keage Incline
After passing Nanzenji Temple, you will come to Keage Incline Park. This is a railway that pulls up ships traveling from Lake Biwa through the canal. You can walk on the disused railway tracks, and the cherry blossoms are very beautiful.
Yamashina Lake Biwa Canal
Continuing from the Philosopher's Path, this is the canal heading towards Lake Biwa. The path along the canal is a great place to cycle.
From there, we recommend crossing the Suberi-ishi Kaido road to return to Kyoto.
Guided Tour
Gion Night Course (12km,2h)
This is a course that takes you around Gion, which is crowded during the day, at night. You can take a two-hour guided tour or rent a bike for two days and go for a ride from your hotel.
Gion Shirakawa
Gion is the most famous social area in Japan, with over 1000 years of history. The north side is an old town, and the south side is a modern red-light district.
Yasaka Shrine
Yasaka Shrine is one of the most popular shrines in Kyoto, along with Fushimi Inari Shrine. During cherry blossom season, the shrine is crowded with people at night and there are many food stalls. It is best to park your bike nearby and walk there.
Guided Tour
Fushimi Loop Course (22km,3h)
This course takes you to the south of Kyoto, through Fushimi Inari Shrine and the sake brewing town. It will take about three hours on a guided tour, or about four hours on a rental bike.
The medieval townscape and cherry blossoms blend together beautifully.
Fushimi Inari
This shrine is known for its Senbon Torii gates. It gets very crowded, so guided tours usually avoid it, but if you really want to go, you can. There is also a bicycle parking lot.
Inari Mountain
Just 300m away from Inari Taisha Shrine, there are no people around. There are thousands of torii gates in the mountains, and cycling along the bamboo groves and hidden shrines is the best!
Fushimi Sake Town
If you go south from Mt. Inari along the canal, you will come to Fushimi Sake Town. More than 20 sake breweries are gathered here, and the 18th century townscape is preserved and blends in beautifully with the cherry blossoms.
When tasting alcohol
Fushimi has many sake-tasting spots, but if you decide to drink, you will leave your bike there on the guided tour and return to your hotel by train or taxi.
Guided Tour
Arashiyama Kinkakuji Loop Course (30km,4h)
The route from Kinkakuji to Arashiyama through western Kyoto is our most recommended cycling route, but it has fewer cherry blossoms. It takes about 3 hours for a guided tour, or 4 hours for a rental bike.
Kinkakuji
This golden temple was built in the 15th century in the Zen Buddhist style.
Haradani Garden
If you walk up the path along the beautiful stream on the north side of Kinkakuji Temple, you will come to Haratani, a garden run by a cedar farmer. There is an admission fee of 500 yen, but you can see the weeping cherry tree inside.
Arashiyama
Arashiyama has been a villa area for the emperor and aristocrats since ancient times. It retains its ancient scenery, and is famous for its beautiful rivers, bamboo forests, and townscapes. Except for the area in front of the station, there are not many people, so you can enjoy cycling.
Nenbutsu-ji
This temple is famous for its more than 1,000 Jizo statues. The cherry blossoms are very small, but the addition of pink makes a big difference.
Hirano Shrine
This shrine worships cherry blossoms. It has long been known as a famous spot for cherry blossom viewing, and is famous for its cherry blossom festival.
