Early spring in Kyoto, Early-blooming variety of cherry trees in several spots

Early spring in Kyoto, Early-blooming variety of cherry trees in several spots

Typically, cherry trees bloom from mid-March to early April, but some varieties bloom earlier.
Here are 5 places in Kyoto to view Early blooming cherry trees.

1. Miedo at Toji temple (Minami ward of Kyoto city)
Miedo is located inside of Toji temple (Founded in 796, one of Kyoto’s UNESCO world heritage sites). The five-storied Pagoda, built in 1818, is the landmark of Kyoto city.

This place hosts a popular flea market on the 21st of each month, and an antique market on the first Sunday of each month.
Check it out this video about the Antiques market ➡ https://youtu.be/ZpjC-8HijkY

You can see in the video a variety of Sakura called “Kawazu-zakura”, which blooms earlier than the more popular cherry blossom variety “Somei-yoshino”.

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/Y8jcMHSQApqKw3hR6?coh=178571&entry=tt

2. Ichijo-modoribashi bridge (Kamigyo ward of Kyoto city)

Cherry blossoms “Kawazu-zakura” can be seen here earlier than anywhere else in Kyoto City. Local residents of Kyoto go there to take pictures. It is not far from The Kyoto Imperial Palace (13 minutes to walk).

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/2ARFHRGHHyWU1M2M7?coh=178571&entry=tt

3. Otoyo shrine (Sakyo ward of Kyoto city)

Here, you can admire both plum and cherry blossoms simultaneously. Located next to the Philosopher’s Path, this site enshrines a rat, and you can also see other animal statues.

Entrance fee: no need but you can offer money into an offertory box

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/KccFGRDcCeZSs8bu5?coh=178571&entry=tt

4. Kiyomizudera-temple (Higashiyama ward of Kyoto city)

Kiyomizudera Temple is a renowned Buddhist temple. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is considered one of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks. The temple was founded in 778 during the Heian period. The blooming tree at the entrance is a plum tree.

Entrance fee: free but if you enter inside, an entrance fee is charged (400 JPY)

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/xdHyKCd5gJgUKUHa8?coh=178571&entry=tt

5. Chotokuji temple (Sakyo ward of Kyoto city)

This Buddhist temple, originally built in 1605, was relocated to its current site in 1672. It is known for its “Okame-zakura” cherry trees, a variety that blooms in early spring, typically around March or April.

Here, you can enjoy cherry blossoms earlier than anywhere else in Kyoto.
The blooming of these flowers signals the arrival of spring to local residents.

Entrance fee: no need
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/6REV5p7fYuaxSBX58?coh=178571&entry=tt

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Tanuki no mori (Discover 🇯🇵)
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Welcome to Tanuki no mori channel!
This channel presents beautiful destinations in Japan & Japanese cultures, especially in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and surrounding areas. I’m Japanese 🇯🇵 and live in Kyoto.
If you have any requests about destinations, please let me know!

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CHAPTERS
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00:00 Start
00:09 Map Toji
00:29 Miedo, Toji temple
01:44 Map Ichijomodoribashi
02:00 Ichijo modoribashi
03:13 Map Otoyo shrine
03:31 Otoyo shrine
06:21 Map Kiyomizudera temple
06:36 Kiyomizudera temple
08:13 Map Chotokuji
08:30 Chotokuji temple
09:34 End
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