6 Best Temples to See Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto

If you happen to be in Kyoto in spring, Hirano Jinja Shrine is a notable spot to witness the stunning cherry blossoms and experience hanami (flower-watching) Kyoto-style. Every year on 10th April, the Cherry Blossom Festival is held here. Food and drink stalls are set up and there are free performances of traditional koto and shamisen musical reviews.

A visit to Kiyomizu-dera in the wooded hills east of Kyoto is like travelling back in time. Kiyomizu-dera (‘Pure Water Temple’) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most celebrated temples in the whole country. Kiyomizu Temple is best known for its 13-metre high wooden platform that juts out from the main hall.

The platform affords visitors great views out over the numerous maple and cherry blossom trees below that burst into a bright sea of colour in spring and autumn. It also has panoramic views of Kyoto city centre in the distance. The main hall was built without the use of nails and houses the temple's primary object of worship – a small statue of the eleven faced, thousand-armed Kannon.

Shojiji Temple is a very old Heian-period landmark that's believed to date back to 680. As with many of Kyoto’s religious sites, it's famous for its cherry blossom trees and indeed the masses of pink flowers cascade in splendor every April. On the temple verandah sits a carving of Binzuru, a Buddhist devotee who is said to have had healing powers. Japanese patrons pray to the carving to ensure good health.

Nestled into the foothills of a graceful mountainside, Shimo Daigo-ji Temple dates back to 874 and its five-story pagoda is said to be one of the oldest structures in Kyoto. The temple was all but derelict by the 16th century until Hideyoshi Toyotomi happened to visit during the April cherry blossom season and so taken by its beauty, he ordered a complete restoration. The main temple houses amazing artworks by the Kano school and a wonderful Chinese-inspired garden. You may also like to walk up the mountain to reach some stunning sub-temples.

Ninnaji Temple features a 5-storey pagoda that was originally constructed in the 8th century and rebuilt along with the rest of the temple in the 17th century. One of Kyoto’s most interesting UNESCO World Heritage sites, the temple is laid out in Gosho style; a bisymmetrical pattern in the main hall flanked by a variety of buildings connected by covered passageways. The Amida Buddha is the main spiritual draw, but the temple houses some amazing painted screens and a walled garden with dwarf cherry trees.

Kami Daigo-ji Temple is an exquisite place to view the spring cherry blossoms in Kyoto. This Shingon-sect temple dates back to 874, when it was established by a monk named Shobo. Local lore holds that when he died and was buried on the temple grounds, his body went to heaven leaving only his shoes. Mostly destroyed by earthquakes and fires, it was subject of a major renovation in the 16th century by Hideyoshi Toyotomi. To reach Kami Daigo-ji Temple, take the Tozai Line to Daigo Station.