{"id":876,"date":"2026-01-26T10:12:36","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T01:12:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mktaxi-japan.com\/kyoto\/?post_type=article&p=876"},"modified":"2026-02-20T14:42:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T05:42:19","slug":"best-places-to-see-beautiful-plum-blossoms-in-kyoto-eastern-area-edition","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/mktaxi-japan.com\/kyoto\/articles\/best-places-to-see-beautiful-plum-blossoms-in-kyoto-eastern-area-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Places to See Plum Blossoms: Eastern Kyoto area"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This article highlights hidden plum blossom views in Rakuto, the eastern part of Kyoto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chishaku-in Temple (Higashiyama Ward) Late February to mid-March<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gorgeous red plum blossoms and clean, simple white plum blossoms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Chishaku-in Temple is decorated with beautiful flowers all year round, but the main star in early spring is plum blossoms.
The plum grove on both sides of the path leading to the Kondo Hall is wonderful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The plum blossom area at Chishaku-in Temple is freely open, so you can enjoy it for free from early morning until sunset.
The plum blossoms look beautiful in the morning sun and the evening light.
Early-blooming plums usually start flowering from January, but most plum trees begin to bloom around mid-February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Red and white plum trees line the area from the admission desk to the front of the Kondo Hall.
Plum trees are also planted here and there around the temple grounds.
Most of the trees are still short and are still growing, so they will get bigger in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many different kinds of plum trees are planted here. Their peak times are slightly different, but in most years, around mid-March, the plum trees along both sides of the approach path are at their best.
Glossy deep-red plum blossoms and clean, gentle white plum blossoms give a strong feeling of spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When people talk about Chishaku-in\u2019s paintings, the best-known works are the \u201cMaple Painting\u201d and the \u201cCherry Blossom Painting\u201d by Hasegawa Tohaku and his son Kyuzo.
Besides these, at the Treasure Museum you can also see \u201cPine and Plum,\u201d a painting of plum blossoms.
The artist is unknown, but some say Hasegawa Tohaku may have drawn the preliminary sketch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visitor Information<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Hours<\/strong>
    Treasure Museum & Scenic Garden: 9:00\u201316:30 (last admission 16:00)
    Approach path: open during the day
    The approach path is a free area inside the grounds.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Admission Fee<\/strong>
    Scenic Garden:
    Adults: 500 yen
    Junior high \/ High school: 300 yen
    Elementary school: 200 yen<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Treasure Museum<\/strong>:
    Adults: 500 yen
    Junior high \/ High school: 300 yen
    Elementary school: 200 yen<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • TEL<\/strong>: 075-541-5363<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Address<\/strong>: 964 Higashikawara-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Access<\/strong>:
    Kyoto City Bus \u201cHigashiyama-Shichijo\u201d: a short walk
    Keihan \u201cShichijo\u201d Station: 10-minute walk<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Higashiyama Ward) Mid-March<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    Red and white plum blossoms that stand out at the Niomon Gate.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Kiyomizu-dera, one of Kyoto\u2019s most famous sightseeing spots, is also a small place to enjoy plum blossoms.
    The red and white plum trees in front of the Niomon Gate at the entrance usually start to bloom around March, and they are highly recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    It is a beautiful gate, also called the \u201cRed Gate.\u201d
    If you look back from the gate, you can see a wonderful view of Kyoto city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Seiryue: A blue dragon parade with red plum blossoms in the background<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    At Kiyomizu-dera, Seiryue is held every year on March 15, April 3, and September 15<\/strong>.
    It is an event that started in 2000<\/strong>, led by people from the area in front of the temple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    In Seiryue, a dragon believed to be an incarnation of Kannon Bodhisattva parades through the Kiyomizu-dera grounds and the temple town, praying for local safety and to ward off disasters.
    The highlight is the scene of an about 18-meter-long blue dragon leading the way, followed by around 50 people in traditional costumes as they climb the stone steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Seiryue on March 15 usually takes place when the red plum blossoms in front of the Niomon Gate are at their best.
    With the vermilion Niomon Gate and the red plum blossoms behind it, the sight of the blue dragon moving forward is stunning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Visitor Information<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Hours<\/strong>: 6:00\u201318:00<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Admission<\/strong>:
      Adults: 500 yen
      Elementary & Junior high: 200 yen<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • TEL<\/strong>: 075-551-1287<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Address<\/strong>: 1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Access<\/strong>:
      25-minute walk from Keihan \u201cKiyomizu-Gojo\u201d Station
      10-minute walk from Kyoto City Bus \u201cGojo-zaka\u201d stop<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Yasaka Koshindo (Higashiyama Ward) Late February to early March<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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      When the white plum blossoms bloom, it looks even more Instagrammable<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Yasaka Koshindo is famous for the \u201ckukurizaru.\u201d The colorful kukurizaru are very popular because they look great in photos.
      The temple is photogenic all year round, but the best time is actually early spring.
      From late February to early March, beautiful white plum blossoms are at their best in the temple grounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      There are many kinds of plum blossoms, but the ones at Yasaka Koshindo are pure white.
      They look surprisingly great with the colorful \u201ckukurizaru.\u201d
      I really hope you can come and enjoy this beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      The main deity of Koshindo is Shomen Kongo, and it is said that monkeys serve him.
      Since long ago, there has been a custom of hanging monkey-shaped dolls to ward off misfortune.
      They are also called \u201csarubobo\u201d or \u201cmigawari-zaru,\u201d but at Yasaka Koshindo they are called \u201ckukurizaru.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      At Yasaka Koshindo, many colorful \u201ckukurizaru\u201d are offered.
      They look bright and beautiful, so the temple has become a popular photo spot for Instagram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Visitor Information<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n