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Poster: Cherry blossoms in Japan
Cherry blossom season

Cherry blossoms in Japan

Ten days in Kyoto and Tokyo, timed to the bloom

⏳ In 5 months · Mar 26, 2027 Remind me
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Walk Kyoto's blossom-lined canals, temples, and bamboo groves, then ride the Shinkansen to Tokyo for parks, shrines, and quiet cherry walks. Plenty of time for meals and rest.

🌸 Cherry blossoms⛩ Temples🍜 Food🌿 Gardens🚶 City walks

Day 1 is on us

10 days · 43 stops

What it's like in MarchMarch averages 13.7°C (57°F) highs and 3.8°C (39°F) lows, with about 12 rainy days. Pack layers and a light rain jacket.

Day 1 · Mon, Mar 29 · Free

Arrival and Gion evening

4 h 17 min

Blossom-lined canal walk, then shrine lights and ramen in Gion.

2:00 PM · 45 min

Check in and drop bags

Settle in before the blossom marathon begins.

Shirakawa Canal

3:30 PM · 1 h

Shirakawa Canal

Scenic spot

Willows and cherry trees frame machiya teahouses; first sakura view

4.7(1,175)Googlefree
11 min
Maruyama Park

5:00 PM · 1 h 15 min

Maruyama Park

City park

Home to Kyoto's famed weeping cherry, lit beautifully after dusk.

4.4(6,964)Googlefree
6 min
Gion Duck Noodles

7:00 PM · 1 h

Gion Duck Noodles

Ramen restaurant

A delicate, unique ramen that is hard to find elsewhere.

4.4(2,023)Google¥1,200-¥2,000
Day 1 in Google Maps
Map of Kyoto & Tokyo: 10 days of blossoms, temples, and tea: Day 1, Shirakawa Canal, Maruyama Park, Gion Duck Noodles

The rest of the plan

39 stops

Day 2 · Tue, Mar 30

Higashiyama at dawn

4 stops · Higashiyama, Sakyo

Day 3 · Wed, Mar 31

Arashiyama bamboo and bridges

6 stops · Arashiyama

Day 4 · Thu, Apr 1

Nara day trip

5 stops · Nara

Day 5 · Fri, Apr 2

Gates, market, and gold

4 stops · Fushimi, Nakagyo

Day 6 · Sat, Apr 3

Temples and tea in central Kyoto

4 stops · Higashiyama, Central Kyoto

Day 7 · Sun, Apr 4

Shinkansen to Tokyo

5 stops · Asakusa, Ueno

Day 8 · Mon, Apr 5

Parks and moats

4 stops · Shinjuku, Chiyoda

Day 9 · Tue, Apr 6

Quiet sakura and Meguro

4 stops · Aoyama, Nakameguro

Day 10 · Wed, Apr 7

Last blossoms and departure

3 stops · Chiyoda, Ginza

Sally the balloon

Get all 10 days

Everything below Day 1, plus offline maps and free updates until Mar 26.

  • 10-day Kyoto and Tokyo plan around the bloom
  • Early- and late-bloom backups
  • Offline maps in the app
  • Free updates when the 2027 forecast lands
Get the plan · $5

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Good to know

  • The Japan Meteorological Agency's 1991–2020 average first-bloom date is March 24 in Tokyo and March 26 in Kyoto.data.jma.go.jp · checked Oct 29, 2026
  • The Japan Meteorological Agency's 1991–2020 average full-bloom date is March 31 in Tokyo and April 4 in Kyoto.data.jma.go.jp · checked Oct 29, 2026
  • In 2026, first bloom came on March 19 in Tokyo and March 23 in Kyoto, both earlier than average.data.jma.go.jp · checked Oct 29, 2026
  • The Philosopher's Path runs about 2 km along a canal from Ginkaku-ji toward the Kumano Nyakuoji area, lined by 500+ cherry trees.nippon.com · checked Oct 29, 2026

Guides for this trip

More trips like this

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Shirakawa Canal
Photo: Nga Chu / Google
Shirakawa Canal
Photo: あずき / Google
Shirakawa Canal
Photo: 素 / Google
Shirakawa Canal
Photo: Kevin / Google
Shirakawa Canal
Photo: 陳雪娟 / Google

Shirakawa Canal

Scenic spot
4.7(1,175)Google Kyoto 1 h
ScenicWalk

Willows and cherry trees frame machiya teahouses; first sakura view

Shirakawa Canal is a narrow waterway lined with willows and cherry trees in Gion. The stone-edged paths make an easy, relaxed start to the trip.

Sally's tips

  • Hidden Gem: Cross the small stone bridges for the best photos.

Hours

  • Every day: Open 24 hours

Contact and location

白川筋, Motoyoshichō, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0087, Japan

Maruyama Park

City park
4.4(6,964)Google Kyoto 1 h 15 min
ParkViews

Home to Kyoto's famed weeping cherry, lit beautifully after dusk.

Maruyama Park is Kyoto's best-known park, with a large weeping cherry tree at its center. It is lovely in the evening when the lanterns are lit.

Sally's tips

  • Pro Tip: Street food stalls here make a fun snack.

Hours

  • Every day: Open 24 hours

Contact and location

Maruyamacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0071, Japan

Gion Duck Noodles

Ramen restaurant
4.4(2,023)Google Kyoto 1 h
RamenLocal

A delicate, unique ramen that is hard to find elsewhere.

Gion Duck Noodles serves a rich duck broth ramen in a small, local setting. A good way to end your first night in the old quarter.

Sally's tips

  • Pro Tip: Walk-in only, so arrive early.

Hours

  • Every day: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Contact and location

Japan, 〒605-0073 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Gionmachi Kitagawa, 329 1 階D号

10-day cherry blossom plan

10 days · Kyoto & Tokyo, Japan

  • 10-day Kyoto and Tokyo plan around the bloom
  • Early- and late-bloom backups
  • Offline maps in the app
  • Free updates when the 2027 forecast lands
$5One-time · 7-day refund

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