Kyoto Botanical Garden: A Hidden Gem for Cherry Blossom Viewing with 130 Varieties of Sakura

After enduring the cold of February, the fifth cherry blossom forecast predicts that cherry blossoms in the Kansai region will bloom at the end of March, while Tokyo's blossoms are expected around March 25th. Have you planned your cherry blossom viewing trip yet? Kyoto is renowned for its cherry blossom spots, but there's a lesser-known gem with fewer crowds and an entrance fee of just 200 yen - the Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Garden. Celebrating its centennial, the garden spans 240,000 square meters and houses over 100,000 plants of 12,000 species, making it one of Japan's oldest and most prestigious botanical gardens. Additionally, the garden features a circular greenhouse with over 4,000 species and 20,000 plants. Among them, there are more than 130 varieties of cherry blossoms, totaling nearly 500 trees, including Kawazu-zakura, Somei Yoshino, Yaezakura, and Shidare-zakura. If you visit during the blooming season, you can also witness the beautiful scenery of rapeseed flowers and tulips complementing the cherry blossoms. The garden's restaurant offers picnic sets, making it a perfect spot for a spring outing with kids or a romantic date. On weekends, you might even encounter musicians performing, adding a touch of elegance to your cherry blossom viewing experience. The garden is easily accessible, just a short walk from Exit 3 of Kitayama Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line. 📍 Address: 〒606-0823 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Sakyo Ward, Shimogamo Hangicho