Kyoto entices many travellers with its timeless old-world charm, made even more enchanting come spring each year. Around the end of March each year, the city erupts in a glorious cacophony of pink and white, with scores of travellers descending upon the city in a bid to catch sight of the elusive sakura.

Indeed, part of the sakura’s beauty is that it is fleeting — full bloom only lasts for around a week to ten days before the petals start to fall. If visiting Kyoto during sakura season is on your bucket list, mark down these top 3 sakura spots to visit!

1. Maruyama Park

The oldest park in Kyoto, Maruyama Park boasts a total of 680 cherry blossom trees. It’s home to the Gion Shidare-zakura, a weeping cherry tree that was grown from the seed of a 200-year-old cherry tree. The tree is also the highlight of the park’s night illuminations.

Do what the locals do, and indulge in a gorgeous hanami picnic under the canopy of blooms. Plenty of food stalls add to the atmosphere too.

How to get there: Take a 20-minute bus ride from Kyoto Station to Yasaka Shrine (the park is just behind the shrine), or walk for 20 minutes from Kiyomizudera through the Higashiyama district.

2. Keage Incline

A rustic former railway, Keage Incline has now been converted to a pedestrian walkway — with the train tracks still intact. Linking Lake Biwa Canal to Kamo River, the trail is lined with plenty of sakura trees!

This is one of Kyoto’s most popular spots, so it’s best to either visit early in the morning or later in the evening.

You might even come across some cosplayers who will gladly oblige for a photo.

How to get there: Take a 20-minute bus to Keage subway station from Kyoto station, followed by a 3-minute walk.

3. Philosopher’s Path

Once the walking route of famous Japanese philosopher Nishida Kitaro, the Philosopher’s Path is a picturesque stone pathway that runs alongside a canal. The pathway spans two kilometres, leading from Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji.

Take your time to enjoy the path; should you get peckish, there are also multiple cafés along the route.

How to get there: Take a 25-minute bus to Ginkaku-ji from Kyoto station.

4. Okazaki Canal

Connecting Kamo River with Lake Biwa’s canal network, Okazaki Canal is an idyllic sakura spot. To view the blooms from a different perspective, why not hop on a boat ride? 

These traditional boats are called jikkokunune, and depart every 15 minutes from Nanzenji boat pier. Each round-trip ride lasts for around 25 minutes, and costs around JPY1,500 (~SGD15) per person.

BONUS: Night illuminations

When night falls, watch as the blooms light up. 

This is called Yozakura, and can be viewed in many spots such as Maruyama Park, Keage Incline, Toji Temple, and Nijo Castle.

So, which of these spots will you visit first? Charge your cameras and pack your picnic mats — you’re in for a gorgeous time!