Top 10 Scenic Spots in Kyoto Where Kimono Looks Best in Spring

Do you ever feel the chill of winter gradually fading away and the anticipation of spring in the air? Kyoto, with its many famous cherry blossom spots, becomes an irresistible destination during this season. When people think of Kyoto, they often think of kimonos. When you visit for sightseeing, you’ll likely see many people strolling around in kimonos.

In this article, we will introduce ten perfect spring sightseeing spots in Kyoto where kimonos are the perfect attire. These include the popular Gion and Kiyomizu areas, the nature-rich Arashiyama area, and other great places to explore in Kyoto while dressed in kimono.

Why not rent a kimono in Kyoto and explore these sightseeing spots?

1. Spring Kimono-Friendly Sightseeing Spots in Gion and Kiyomizu Area

The Gion and Kiyomizu areas are representative tourist spots in Kyoto, and many people dream of visiting them at least once. Among them, Kiyomizu Temple is world-renowned, and Gion is an area where you can experience the Kyoto image of geisha walking about.

Here, we will introduce five spring sightseeing spots where kimonos are perfect.

Maruyama Park

Maruyama Park is adjacent to Yasaka Shrine and is designated as a national scenic spot. It’s a popular sightseeing spot that offers the beauty of every season. The park features a strolling Japanese garden and numerous tea houses and restaurants. Of course, the cherry blossoms in the park are incredibly famous, to the point where they are often called the best in Kyoto.

The “Gion shidare” weeping cherry tree in the park is especially magnificent and captivates the eyes of visitors. The central cherry trees in the park, known as “Gion no yozakura” (Gion’s night cherry blossoms), are also famous, and during cherry blossom season, you can enjoy these trees illuminated at night. It’s a sightseeing spot perfect for kimonos, whether during the day or at night.

Kiyomizu Temple

The iconic Kiyomizu Temple, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-visit spot in Gion. It’s also one of Kyoto’s most famous tourist destinations, known for its stunning cherry blossoms, including over 1,000 cherry trees, including mountain cherries and Somei Yoshino.

The main hall, known as the “Kiyomizu stage,” is a grand structure. However, it is currently covered in cloth due to maintenance work, which takes place once every 50 years and is expected to be completed by 2021.

Although it’s unfortunate that you won’t be able to see the main hall until 2021, you can still enjoy a unique view of cherry blossoms. From the “Kiyomizu stage,” you can overlook the cherry blossoms in full bloom surrounding the temple, resembling a sea of clouds.

There are other charming spots to explore as well. Below the main hall, you’ll find the Otawa Waterfall, and across the valley, there’s the Sanjunoto Pagoda, a place for praying for safe childbirth. The area around these spots is also renowned for cherry blossoms.

The café “Fumon-an” located near Kiyomizu Temple’s entrance is famous for its colorful fortune slips. They go perfectly well with kimonos.

You can easily reach Kiyomizu Temple from Kimono Rental Rikka Wafuku Gion Store in just 5 minutes by bus.

Kodai-ji Temple

Kodai-ji Temple is known for being founded by Lady Nene, the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to pray for her husband’s repose. It’s a temple with a rich history and has been a popular flower-viewing spot since the Edo period. The temple is also famous for its lacquerware.

Especially in the Hojo Garden, you’ll find a beautiful white sand garden with pink weeping cherry blossoms, creating a stunning contrast. During the evening, the temple is illuminated, offering a picturesque sightseeing spot for those wearing kimonos during spring.

Gion Shirakawa

After exploring historical buildings, taking a walk in the Shirakawa area is highly recommended. In spring, the Somei Yoshino cherry trees that bloom along the Shirakawa River make it a beautiful cherry blossom spot, allowing you to fully enjoy spring in Kyoto. Gion Shirakawa offers a picturesque Kyoto atmosphere.

Along the charming, historic townhouses and cobblestone streets that follow the Shirakawa River, Somei Yoshino and weeping cherry blossoms add a touch of color.

While the number of cherry trees may not be extensive, the Tsutsumi Bridge over Shirakawa is perfect for taking photos in kimono attire! The evening illumination is also lovely, making it a recommended spot.

Near the Tsutsumi Bridge in Gion Shirakawa, you’ll find the Gion Hanami-koji, a street that continues from Sanjo Street to Kennin-ji Temple. On both sides of this major street, there are teahouses, traditional restaurants, and cafes. If you’re lucky, you might even spot maiko (apprentice geisha) entering and leaving the traditional establishments here.

There are also small souvenir shops nearby, making it a great spot for shopping while strolling around in a kimono.

For a delightful treat, just a 1-minute walk from Hanami-koji is the Charyo Toji-sato Gion Main Store. They offer sweets with a spring-like contrast of mousse, strawberries, and Kyoto’s famous Uji matcha, which perfectly complements the retro atmosphere of kimono.

When you visit Gion Shirakawa, be sure to stop by!

The Philosopher’s Path

The Philosopher’s Path is an essential walking spot in Kyoto tourism. It’s a path along the Lake Biwa Canal, stretching approximately 1.5 km from Wakaoji Bridge to Ginkakuji Temple Bridge.

It is called “The Philosopher’s Path” because famous intellectuals like Nishida Kitaro, a philosopher, have walked along it.

Walking in a kimono through the cherry blossom tunnel is a unique and enjoyable experience, truly characteristic of Kyoto.

In addition to the beauty of cherry blossoms in full bloom, watching them fall gracefully is also a breathtaking sight. After full bloom, it’s like walking on a pink carpet!

Arashiyama Area

When people think of Kyoto, after Gion and Kiyomizu Temple, the Arashiyama area is another popular tourist spot. It’s known for its bamboo groves and the Sagano Scenic Railway, but did you know there are places where you can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring? Among the attractions in the Arashiyama area, we recommend these spots for wearing kimono in spring.

Togetsukyo Bridge

Togetsukyo Bridge is a famous tourist spot that serves as the entrance to Arashiyama and can be considered a symbol of the area. From this bridge spanning the Katsura River, you can admire the cherry blossoms blooming along the riverbank in spring. It’s a wooden bridge with a total length of 155 meters, offering a picturesque setting for a leisurely stroll in a kimono.

However, during the cherry blossom season, it can get crowded with tourists, so be prepared when visiting! It might be a good idea to aim for the early morning when it’s less crowded. If you want to see illuminated cherry blossoms, the Nakashima Park just across the Togetsukyo Bridge is recommended.

You can reach Togetsukyo Bridge in just a 4-minute walk from Kimono Rental Rikka Wafuku Gion Store.

Tenryu-ji Temple

Tenryu-ji Temple, built to commemorate Emperor Go-Daigo, is also registered as a World Heritage Site. The temple features Somei Yoshino cherry trees, weeping cherry trees, mountain cherry trees, and double-flowered cherry trees, with the weeping cherry tree in full bloom in front of the Tahoto Pagoda being particularly stunning.

The collaboration between the historical buildings of Tenryu-ji Temple and the cherry blossoms in full bloom is a sight to behold. Taking photos in kimono attire in front of this backdrop is sure to result in some beautiful pictures!

Additionally, on the way to Tenryu-ji Temple, you’ll find the scenic Bamboo Grove Path, and the cool, green bamboo forest pairs exceptionally well with kimono attire. Taking photos here with the bamboo groves in the background is sure to create a stunning visual.

Other Areas

In Kyoto, besides Gion, Kiyomizu, and Arashiyama, there are many other cherry blossom spots. Here are just a few of them:

Heian Shrine

Heian Shrine has a garden known as “Heian no Son,” consisting of four gardens in the east, west, south, and north directions. The southern garden, also known as “Yae-Momo,” is famous for its double-flowered Yae-Momo cherry blossoms. Around 300 of these double-flowered Yae-Momo cherry trees are known to have the most vibrant colors when they are about 5-7 minutes in bloom.

During the evening illumination, the red weeping cherry blossoms appear to float on the Suiho Pond, offering a magical and rarely seen sight. In front of the iconic large vermilion-painted Torii gate, it’s an ideal place to capture a photo in a kimono.

Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle, a World Heritage Site and former imperial palace, boasts around 50 species and 300 cherry trees, each blooming at different times, ensuring a long cherry blossom viewing period. Every year, the “Nijo Castle Cherry Blossom Festival” is held, featuring Somei Yoshino, mountain cherry, weeping cherry, cold scarlet cherry, Keio cherry, and Satoyama cherry trees beautifully illuminated during this season.

If you visit in traditional Japanese clothing (kimono), the entrance fee and night viewing fee are waived, making it a cost-effective choice to wear kimono on your visit!

Tips for Making Kyoto Kimono Rental More Elegant

When you go to wonderful places during such a lovely season, you’ll want to capture beautiful photos.

And not just any photos, but ones that stand out from the others, portraying an elegant appearance in your kimono rental photos.

The secret lies in one detail.

The key to an elegant kimono look lies in the collar.

The collar should be snugly against your neck, with about 1.5 centimeters visible from the neckline. It greatly influences the overall impression.

Be sure to pay attention to this detail during the dressing process.

Not Just Cute?! The Benefits of Kimono Sightseeing

In Kyoto, there’s something called the “Kimono Passport,” which is available for a limited time. When you show this passport, you can enjoy benefits at around 400 facilities and shops♡

This fantastic service will end in 2019, so be sure to get your “Kimono Passport” this spring!

Using the Kimono Passport requires you to wear a kimono while shopping. Take advantage of this opportunity to wear a kimono, something you might not wear often, and enjoy shopping and sightseeing in the beautiful cherry blossom season in Kyoto!

Author of this article

Kyoto Kimono Rental Rika Wafuku operates four kimono rental shops in Kyoto city, including locations in Arashiyama, Gion, Kiyomizu Temple, and in front of Kyoto Station. In 2023, they served over 230,000 customers in the Kyoto area!
They offer affordable plans, with a kimono dressing plan starting from 3,500 yen, and a hair setting plan from 5,500 yen.
Close to popular tourist spots such as Togetsukyo Bridge, Kiyomizu Temple, Yasaka Koshindo, and Yasaka Shrine!
Kyoto Kimono Rental Rika Wafuku
Kimono Rental Rika Wafuku Gion Store
Kimono Rental Rika Wafuku Arashiyama Store
Kimono Rental Rika Wafuku Kiyomizu Temple Store
Kimono Rental Rika Wafuku Kyoto Station Front Store