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Maruyama Park (Kyoto)

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Maruyama Park (Kyoto)

The Gion weeping cherry trees that stand by the pond are one of the best photo spots in Kyoto.

3.40 10

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The oldest park in Kyoto, built on land once owned by temples and shrines. It is located across the Shijo Ohashi Bridge from Kawaramachi and straight down the Gion shopping street on Shijo Dori Street. From the Shijo Ohashi Bridge, pass the Keihan Gion-Shijo Station and continue along the shopping street, and you will see Yasaka Shrine in front of you.

The area to the east of here is Maruyama Park, a circular garden lined with restaurants and teahouses. The Gion weeping cherry tree, which is arguably the most famous cherry tree in Kyoto, was seeded from the first weeping cherry tree and has stood here since 1949 (the second generation). It is especially known for its beautiful nighttime cherry blossoms, which are illuminated at night, attracting a large number of cherry blossom-viewing visitors who come to catch a glimpse of them.

The "Hyotan Pond" and the stone bridge across the street are also symbolic of Maruyama Park. There are also famous temples such as Chion-in Temple, Choraku-ji Temple, and Anyo-ji Temple near the park, so visitors should take time to visit them and enjoy themselves.

Beyond the great bell tower of Chion-in Temple, known for its unique bell ringing, a trekking route extends to the east, taking 20 to 30 minutes to the top of the mountain, where you can enjoy a great view.

Highlights

  • The oldest park in Kyoto, where anyone can admire the magnificent Japanese garden free of charge.
  • Visitors should take ample time to visit shrines and temples, including Chion-in Temple and Yasaka Shrine, located near the park.
  • Another highlight is the lighting up of the Gion weeping cherry trees at night, which takes place from late March through April.
  • If you have time, a hiking course from the park to the top of Mt. Higashiyama, which rises behind the park, is also recommended.

Photos

  • Illuminated Gion weeping cherry blossoms Photo Credit: iStock

    Illuminated Gion weeping cherry blossoms Photo Credit: iStock

  • Hyotan Pond in autumn with beautiful autumn leaves ©kyoto media support center

    Hyotan Pond in autumn with beautiful autumn leaves ©kyoto media support center

  • An arched bridge over the Hyotan Pond Photo Credit: iStock

    An arched bridge over the Hyotan Pond Photo Credit: iStock

  • You will find an atmospheric waterfall up the slope from the Gion weeping cherry tree to Benten-do. Photo Credit: iStock

    You will find an atmospheric waterfall up the slope from the Gion weeping cherry tree to Benten-do. Photo Credit: iStock

  • Statues of Sakamoto Ryoma and Nakaoka Shintaro in the park Photo Credit: iStock

    Statues of Sakamoto Ryoma and Nakaoka Shintaro in the park Photo Credit: iStock

Reviews

10

Some reviews are AI-translated.

  • wendy
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    Maruyama Park, one of Kyoto’s famous cherry blossom viewing spots, is so beautiful during cherry blossom season that you won’t want to leave! The highlight of the park is the century-old “Gion Weeping Cherry Tree” standing beside the pond. When it’s in full bloom, its cascading blossoms form a vast pink waterfall. It’s one of Kyoto’s classic cherry blossom views and a famous photo spot for many visitors to the city.

    When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, their soft pink reflections appear on the pond, and together with Kyoto’s distinctive historic atmosphere, every photo captures the romance of spring. Maruyama Park gets quite crowded during cherry blossom season, but seeing the weeping cherry tree in full bloom in person is still well worth it.

    If you come to Kyoto for the cherry blossoms, you really shouldn’t miss this place!

  • 一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人
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    Early spring in Kyoto is the perfect time to see the cherry blossoms. I recommend visiting in the afternoon. Maruyama Park, Kyoto’s oldest park, is right next to Yasaka Shrine and is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot among Japanese people.

    In the slightly chilly early spring, hundreds of cherry trees throughout the park burst into bloom, with layers of snowy white and pale pink. It wasn’t until I came to Japan that I realized there were so many varieties of cherry blossoms. At the center of the park is the famous Gion weeping cherry tree, cascading down like a magnificent waterfall. With flowers competing in splendor, the scenery is breathtaking. The park is filled with fragrant local food stalls. Steam from grilled dango and takoyaki drifts through the cool air, creating the lively, joyful atmosphere of a festival and making it hard not to join the lines.

    I highly recommend bringing your own picnic blanket and choosing any patch of grass beneath the cherry trees to sit on the ground like the locals. You can even lie lazily on the lawn, letting the fresh breeze brush your cheeks. If you’re lucky, falling cherry blossoms will flutter down around you. Surrounded by the scent of flowers and shadows of the trees, you can enjoy the most authentic and soothing springtime experience in Kyoto.

  • Phlion Chen
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    In broad daylight, you can see lots of blue tarps spread out under the cherry trees. After work in the evening, crowds gather here to enjoy the cherry blossoms at night.

  • 陳英傑
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    There are lots of historical sites and cultural spots inside Maruyama Park, like Chion-in Temple and Yasaka Shrine. It's a great place to really get a sense of Kyoto's history and culture.

  • 津津
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    Whether it's cherry blossom season or autumn leaves, Maruyama Park is a paradise for photography lovers.

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Details

Name in Japanese
円山公園
Postal Code
605-0071
Address
Maruyamacho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto
Telephone
075-561-1350 (Kyoto Association of Urban Greenery)
Hours
Walk anytime
Admission
Free
Directions
1) 10 minutes walk from Exit 7 of Keihan Gion-Shijo Station
2) 14 minutes walk from Exit 1A of Hankyu Kawaramachi Station
3) 15 minutes walk from Exit 1 of Higashiyama Subway Station
4) 20 minutes from JR Kyoto Station by bus No. 100 or 206, and a short walk from the Gion bus stop.
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa