From late April to mid-May, during the early summer season, beautiful azaleas bloom all around Kyoto.
Not only famous temples and shrines, but also parks, streets, and homes are filled with azaleas in many colors such as red, white, and pink.

Here are some recommended places in Kyoto to enjoy beautiful azaleas.

What are azaleas

Azalea is a general name for plants in the Rhododendron genus of the Ericaceae family. In Japan, it usually refers to the azalea subgenus, excluding plants like rhododendrons.
The azalea subgenus is widely found mainly in Asia.
In Japan, azaleas also grow naturally in mountains and fields across the country, and you can see many different kinds of them.

Recommended azalea spots in central Kyoto

Nishi Hongan-ji Temple (Shimogyo Ward)

Azaleas along Horikawa Street that you can enjoy from the car window

The rows of azaleas along Horikawa Street (National Route 1), a main road connecting north and south Kyoto, are a famous flower view you can enjoy from inside a car.
From late April to early May, the street is filled with azaleas in many colors.
When passing by in a taxi, even passengers are impressed and often react with excitement. The round, dense bushes are very eye-catching.
From Hanayacho Street to Shichijo Street, azaleas line the road for about 400 meters. Today, there is little water in the ditch in front of the flowers, but it used to be part of the lower Horikawa River.

Head temple of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji sect

Nishi Hongan-ji is the head temple of the Honganji sect, the largest branch of Jodo Shinshu, which has the most followers in Japan.
Shinran, who founded Jodo Shinshu, taught that all people can be saved by the power of Amida Buddha (other power), and encouraged chanting “Namu Amida Butsu.”
Although there is no admission fee, Nishi Hongan-ji is designated as a World Cultural Heritage site.

Visitor Information

Hours: 5:50–17:30 (March–October)
　　　 6:20–16:30 (November–February)
Admission: Free (grounds open to all)
Tel: 075-371-5181
Address: Horikawa-dori Hanayacho-sagaru, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto
Access: 18 minutes on foot from JR Kyoto Station

Umekoji Park (Shimogyo Ward)

Best time to see both sato-zakura and azaleas on the south side of the large lawn

On the south side of the large lawn in Umekoji Park, late-blooming double cherry blossoms called sato-zakura usually start to bloom around mid-April.
When the sato-zakura reach their best viewing time, the azaleas beneath them also begin to bloom. By late April, both the cherry blossoms and azaleas are at their peak, making the park even more colorful.
You can see azaleas in many colors such as white and reddish purple. Among the sato-zakura, the later-blooming kiku-zakura types can be enjoyed until around the end of April.
The latest-blooming double cherry blossoms from Nara are usually best in late April, and in some years, they peak in May.
After the sato-zakura season ends, the main azalea season begins.

Park Information
Hours: Open during the day (anytime)
Admission: Free (open access inside the park)
Tel: 075-352-2500
Address: 56-3 Kankijicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto
Access: Right next to JR Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station

Recommended azalea spots in northern Kyoto Myoman-ji Temple (Sakyo Ward)

Beautiful azalea garden in front of the temple gate

The azalea garden in front of the main gate is covered with beautiful blooming azaleas.

Azaleas can also be seen in other parts of the temple grounds, with about 3,000 plants in total, making it a hidden spot to enjoy flowers.
Around the same time as the azaleas, kakitsubata (iris) and yellow irises are also at their best.
Since it is located in Iwakura in northern Kyoto, the best time to see the azaleas is slightly later—usually in early May rather than late April.

Visitor Information
Hours: Main hall: 9:00–16:00
　　　 Grounds: 6:00–17:00
Admission: [Main hall]
　　　　 Adults: 800 yen
　　　　 Elementary & junior high students: 400 yen
　　　　 *The grounds are usually free, but during the azalea season, an admission fee is required for the entire area.
Tel: 075-791-7171
Address: 91 Iwakura Hataedacho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto

Keage Water Treatment Plant (Higashiyama Ward)

A famous azalea spot open to the public during Golden Week

There are about 7,600 azalea plants inside the water treatment plant, and it is usually open to the public during Golden Week.
Around 4,600 colorful azaleas bloom at the same time, creating a truly impressive view.
Although the inside of the plant is not open, you can still see the azaleas from Sanjo Street.

Visitor Information
Open period: Usually around May 3–5
　　　　　　In 2026: April 25 (Sat), 26 (Sun), and 29 (Wed, holiday)
Hours: 9:00–16:00 (last entry at 15:30)
Admission: Free
Address: 3 Awataguchi Kachocho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
Access: Right next to Keage Station (subway)

Recommended azalea spots in western Kyoto

Tenryu-ji Temple (Ukyo Ward)

Not only the Sogenchi Garden—the azaleas beside the main gate are amazing

When talking about flowers at Tenryu-ji, the famous Sogenchi Garden is well known for its beauty throughout the seasons.
Around the pond and in the Hyakkaen garden, you can always enjoy many kinds of flowers, including azaleas.

However, for azaleas, the bushes next to the main gate are even more impressive than the garden.
The main gate is along Nagatsujidori Street, the main street of Arashiyama near Togetsukyo Bridge, and no admission fee is needed to see this area.
In early May, the large, round bushes look like giant buns, completely covered with azaleas.
Red, light pink, and white flowers bloom together, creating a very impressive sight every year.

Visitor Information
Hours: 8:30–17:30
　　　 The front garden area is free to enter
Admission: High school students and above: 500 yen
　　　　 Elementary & junior high students: 300 yen
　　　　 Preschool children: Free
　　　　 *The front garden is a free access area
Tel: 075-881-1235
Address: 68 Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto
Access: Right next to Arashiyama Station (Randen Line)

Recommended azalea spots in southern Kyoto and Uji

Mimuroto-ji Temple (Uji City)

A top azalea spot in Kyoto with 20,000 plants

There are many famous azalea spots in Kyoto, but Mimuroto-ji is one of the best.
The sight of about 20,000 azaleas blooming at once is truly impressive. It has the largest number of azaleas among temples and shrines in the Kansai area.
The hillside is completely covered with colorful azaleas, creating a stunning view. It is a place you should see at least once.
Azaleas in purple, white, pink, and other colors bloom beautifully.

The best time to visit Mimuroto-ji during azalea season is in the morning.
In the fresh early summer air, you can hear the clear song of Japanese bush warblers.
Blue sky, green mountains, and hills covered with colorful azaleas—you can fully enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mimuroto-ji.

The Hirado azalea garden at Mimuroto-ji will be open from April 18 (Sat) to May 10 (Sun) in 2026.
Azaleas are often shaped into round, bun-like bushes, but at Mimuroto-ji, the entire hillside is covered with azaleas.
It is an azalea garden with an overwhelming scale, and the scenery is truly beautiful.

A “flower temple” known for azaleas, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, and lotus

Mimuroto-ji is the 10th temple of the Saigoku 33 pilgrimage and has been deeply respected for a long time.
Even today, you can often see pilgrims in traditional attire visiting the temple.
In recent years, it has been called a “flower temple,” and it focuses not only on azaleas but also on many kinds of flowers.

Inside the temple grounds, there is a large garden of about 5,000 tsubo where seasonal flowers bloom.
From late April to early May, you can see azaleas and rhododendrons; in June, hydrangeas; and from late June to early August, lotus flowers.

Visitor Information
Hours: 8:30–16:30 (April–October)
　　　 8:30–16:00 (November–March)
　　　 *Last entry is 30 minutes before closing
Admission: Adults: 1,000 yen
　　　　 Children: 500 yen
Tel: 0774-21-2067
Address: 21 Todo Shigadani, Uji City
Access: 15 minutes on foot from Keihan Mimuroto Station

Hirado Azalea Garden Opening Period
Open: April 18 (Sat) – May 10 (Sun), 2026

Conclusion

Early summer around Golden Week is one of the most comfortable seasons in Kyoto.
The weather is neither too hot nor too cold, and the days are longer, making it a great time for sightseeing.
You might think that all tourist spots are very crowded during Golden Week, but Kyoto is surprisingly not that busy.
Family-friendly attractions can be crowded, but temples and shrines in Kyoto are often less busy.
At least compared to the cherry blossom or autumn foliage seasons, it is very different.
In fact, Kyoto during Golden Week is a hidden good time for travel.

For sightseeing in Kyoto, leave it to MK’s chartered sightseeing taxi.
Your private driver is a Kyoto expert who handles both transport and guiding.