Table of Contents
Cherry Blossoms at Zenpuji Temple
Basic Information
| Cherry blossom spot | Zenpuji Temple (Yoshimine-dera) |
| Best time to see the cherry blossoms | Early April to late April |
| Number of cherry trees | About 100 trees |
| Opening hours | 8:00-17:00 (registration closes at 16:45) |
| Admission fee | Adults 500 yen, Elementary and junior high school students 200 yen |
| Lighting up | None |
| Parking lot | Regular cars 500 yen (150 spaces) |
| Location: 1372 Oharano Koshio-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, 610-1133 | 1372, Oharano Koshio-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, 610-1133, Japan |
| Tel. | 075-331-0020 |
| Official website | http://www.yoshiminedera.com/ |
Features and Highlights
- Collaboration of cherry blossoms and a spectacular view of Nishiyama, Kyoto
- Weeping cherry trees planted by Keishoin Temple are 300 years old
- Over 100 cherry trees in full bloom on the temple grounds
The most famous cherry tree at Zempuji Temple is the weeping cherry tree planted by Keishoin, the fifth shogun of the Edo Shogunate. It is said that Keishoin, the mother of Tsunayoshi Tokugawa, the fifth shogun of the Edo Shogunate, planted these weeping cherry trees, which are now over 300 years old and still bloom magnificently every spring .
The temple grounds are home to various varieties of cherry trees, including higanzakura (higan cherry), shidarezakura (weeping cherry), yamazakura (mountain cherry), and botanzakura (botan cherry), which can be enjoyed from early to late April, with the viewing periods gradually shifting.
Zempuji Temple is located halfway up Mt. Shakadake in the Nishiyama mountain range, and offers a spectacular view of Kyoto City below. During the cherry blossom season, visitors can enjoy the cherry blossoms in full bloom with the cityscape of Kyoto in the background.
How to access
- Hankyu Bus [66]: Get off at ” Zempuji ” and walk 5 minutes.
- Cab: Approx. 20 minutes (approx. 2,000 yen) from JR Mukocho Station, Hankyu Higashi Mukoji Station, or Hankyu Nagaoka Tenjin Station
- By car: Approx. 20 minutes from the Kutsumigake IC of the Kyoto Jukan Expressway
By car: A toll parking lot for worshippers is available within a 1-minute walk to the temple gate.
Conclusion
Zempuji Temple is one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Kyoto. In spring, the temple grounds are decorated with cherry blossoms, offering a spectacular view. If you visit Kyoto, be sure to stop by.
