10 Best Things to Do in Kyoto in Spring
Kyoto Spring Travel Guide: What to Do in Kyoto in Spring
Spring is the best season to travel around Japan!! The weather is good and the temperature is comfortable even if you walk around many places. To say the least, it is worth coming to Japan just to view cherry blossoms, which is one of the best things to do in Japan in spring!!
Kyoto, one of the most popular tourist cities in Japan, has many attractive places and events in spring. You may find cherry blossoms in full bloom much more elegant with a lot of historical buildings. Moreover, some traditional and cultural festivals have continued since a long time ago. Enjoying local food is another real pleasure of traveling. Kyoto is also famous for their tea culture. In particular, there are many seasonal limited menus using Japanese green tea in spring in Kyoto.
Let’s have a look at the 10 best things to do in Kyoto in spring!!
1. Viewing awesome cherry blossoms at Kyoto-like places
Many people come to Kyoto to watch cherry blossoms in spring. The best time to enjoy fully blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto is from the beginning to the middle of April. There are many spots where you can enjoy cherry blossoms in Kyoto: Kiyomizudera Temple, Yasaka Shrine, Arashiyama, and Sagano trolly train.
Kiyomizudera Temple is one of the most famous spots in Kyoto. After the stage of Kiyomizu (Kiyomizu no Butai in Japanese) was renovated in 2020, more and more people can enjoy the awesome cherry blossoms from the temple on a hill, viewing the whole town of Kyoto.
Sagano trolly train connects Saga Trolly Station to Kameoka Trolly Station, lasting 7.5km along the Katsura River. There are about 700 cherry blossoms along the trolly rail. The most beautiful spot is Hozukyo Gorge, which is one of the most famous spots for cherry blossoms in Kyoto. When a trolly approaches this area, a driver would slow down so you can take photos. You can also try the Hozu River cruise going back to Arashiyama. It provides you with a closer look at cherry blossoms and a bit thrilling experience. Which view would you like, from a trolly or the river?
2. Joining Nijo Castle Sakura Festival
Nijo Castle was built in 1603 by Ieyasu Tokugawa as one of the generals’ bases. Nijo Castle was designated as a World Cultural Heritage in 1994. The main palace, Ninomaru Palace is composed of 6 towers and is a representation of traditional Japanese architecture, Shoin-zukuri. It was designated as a national treasure in 1952. There are awesome wall art and colorful sculptures inside the palace.
Nijo Castle Sakura Festival is held from the middle of March to the middle of April. There are about 300 cherry blossoms of more than 50 kinds such as Yoshino cherry tree, mountain cherry, and shidare cherry. Visitors also enjoy an exhibition of Kyoto’s local specialty and a quiz rally about history. At night time, cherry blossoms are lit up amazingly with a projection mapping on the historical buildings.
3. Watching a traditional Japanese ritual at Hirano Shrine Cherry Blossom Festival: Oukasai
Hirano Shrine was moved to its current place according to the transfer of the capital city in 794. Since then the precinct has been known as a great cherry blossom viewing spot. Hirano Shrine is composed of 4 palaces and 2 towers, which are registered as important national heritages.
Hirano Shrine Cherry Blossom Festival: Oukasai has its origin in 985 when the Emperor came to pray for the prosperity of descendants and held an imperial festival. Since then, Oukasai is held on the 10th of April every year. Following a Shinto ritual, people visit Hanayama Emperor Mausoleum and conduct an imperial festival. After that, the historical procession consisting of more than 200 people walks around the town. You would be impressed by the vivid palanquins and colorful kimono. This is such a great opportunity to experience a Japanese historical sacred event while viewing cherry blossoms.
4. Tasting seasonal foods at Nishiki Market
Kyoto has a lot of awesome Japanese traditional and local food!! Nishiki Market is called the kitchen of Kyoto. There are 130 shops along the 390 m street, selling vegetables, fruits, fresh fish, and handy food so you can eat and walk around.
One of the most attractive foods in Kyoto is Kyoto vegetables. There are necessary to make Kyoto cuisine like Obanzai. A lot of greengrocers sell Kyoto vegetables such as Kujo green onion and Kintoki carrot. In particular, bamboo shoot is available only in spring. Bamboo shoot pickles are popular for souvenirs.
Inoue Tsukudani store was awarded the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award. There are a variety of dishes using seasonal ingredients from Kyoto. Don’t miss trying Manganji Togarashi Kombu (kelp using chili pepper made in Manganji, Kyoto), which was given the award.
5. Enjoying plum blossoms at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine was established in 947. It is famous for the God of learning. Many students visit here to pray for success in their exams every year. The main palace was built with a luxury Japanese architecture called Yatsumune-zukuri and was registered as a national treasure.
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is also known as one of the best places to view plum blossoms in Kyoto. There are 1,500 plum blossom trees of 50 kinds. From the middle of February to the end of March, the garden of plum blossoms is open to the public. Various plum blossoms such as red, white, single, and double bloom dramatically on a walking path. There is an outlook terrace where you can overview the garden having Japanese tea and snacks.
The special plum blossom tree called Tobiume is planted in front of the main palace. Tobiume had been grown up by Michizane Sugawara who is enshrined in Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and has been inherited since the establishment of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. Why don’t you take a photo of this sacred plum blossom tree?