Table of Contents
Cherry Blossom Blossom in Okazaki Sosui
Basic Information
| Cherry blossom spot | Okazaki Sosui |
| Best time to see the cherry blossoms | Late March – Early April |
| Number of cherry trees | About 400 cherry trees (Someiyoshino, etc.) |
| Total length | Approx. 1.5km |
| Hours of operation | Free |
| Admission fee | Free |
| Light up | Yes |
| Parking lot | No parking |
| Location: Okazaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8342, Japan | Okazaki Saikyoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8342, Japan |
| TEL: 075-222-3119 | 075-222-3119 |
| Official website | http://www.city.kyoto.lg.jp/kensetu/page/0000082743.html |
Features and Highlights
- 1.5km-long rows of cherry trees along Biwako Sosui Canal in full bloom
- Cherry blossoms can be viewed up close by riding on a “Jujiseki-Bune” (stone boat)
- Nearby are Heian Shrine and Keage Incline.
Okazaki Sosui is lined with about 400 cherry trees, mainly Someiyoshino, which are at their best in early April. The promenade along the Sosui is lined with cherry trees, and you can feel as if you are walking through a tunnel of cherry blossoms. You can also enjoy the cherry blossoms from the water on a “Jujikkoku-bune,” a small boat.
Around Okazaki Sosui, there are many cultural facilities such as the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto and the Kyoto Kyocera Museum of Art. It is recommended to visit these facilities while strolling through the cherry blossoms. There are also many sightseeing spots nearby, such as Heian Shrine and Nanzenji Temple. Heian Jingu Shrine, with its impressive vermilion-lacquered grand gate, is illuminated during the cherry blossom season. Nanzenji Temple is one of the five temples of Kyoto, and has many sights to see, including the Sanmon Gate and the Suijikaku Pavilion.
Okazaki Sakura Kairo (Cherry Blossom Corridor) Juseki-Bune Tour
Okazaki Sosui offers an activity called “Okazaki Sakura Kairo (Cherry Blossom Corridor) Jujikkoku-bune (ten stone boats) Tour” during the cherry blossom season. The “Jujisekibune” boats run from Nanzenji Boat Tamenuri boarding area to the Isigawa Dam, a distance of about 3 km, in about 25 minutes, and visitors can enjoy a close-up view of the cherry blossoms protruding from both banks of the river.
| Okazaki Cherry Blossom Viewing Activities | Okazaki Cherry Blossom Corridor Juseki-Bune Tour |
| Distance | Approx. 3 km (25 min.) |
| Schedule | March 20 (Wed., holiday) – April 14 (Sun.), 2024 |
| Time | Departure: 9:30 – 16:30 |
| Fare | Adults (junior high school students and older): 2000 yen, children (elementary school students): 1000 yen, toddlers (3 years old and older): 500 yen |
| Tel. | 075-353-2511 (Okazaki Cherry Blossom Corridor Juseki Boat Tour Executive Committee, in charge of operation: Kyoto Travel Agency Cooperative Association) |
How to access
- Take a city bus and get off at ” Kyoto Kaikan Museum Mae ” bus stop.
- 10 min. walk from Keage Sta. on the municipal subway.
Cherry blossom viewing spots in the area
Summary
Okazaki Sosui in Kyoto is known as a cherry blossom viewing spot. You can spend an elegant time on a ten-stone boat while viewing the rows of cherry trees along the Sosui. Also, the cherry blossom corridor is illuminated and you can enjoy a fantastic atmosphere. Okazaki Sosui is a must-visit spot when you visit Kyoto in spring.
