A spring-only route that visits Kyoto's famous cherry blossom spots, including Daigo-ji, Maruyama Park, the Philosopher's Path, Heian Jingu, Nijo Castle, Ninna-ji and Arashiyama, in two days. It combines spots that bloom at slightly different times and groups them by area.
Combine the early-blooming Daigo-ji and Maruyama Park with the Philosopher's Path and Heian Jingu, which bloom next, heading north from Daigo in the southeast to Okazaki and Higashiyama.
Take the shinkansen to Kyoto Station. For details, see the intercity travel guide.
A famous cherry blossom spot reached from Daigo Station on the Tozai subway line. The grounds are large and crowded, so make it your first stop of the day.
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Take the subway back toward Keage and walk the canal-side Philosopher's Path. Walking south from the Ginkaku-ji end brings you closer to Heian Jingu, the next stop.
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Go to Heian Jingu in Okazaki. In the garden behind the shrine buildings, walk around the pond to see the red weeping cherry trees.
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End at Maruyama Park in Gion. Its central weeping cherry tree is popular at night too, so stopping by around dinner time is efficient.
View guide →Move west from the city center to Nijo Castle, Ninna-ji and Arashiyama in that order, then return from Arashiyama to Kyoto Station.
Right by Nijojo-mae subway station. There are cherry trees in the castle gardens and along the moat, and visiting in the morning lets you enjoy them at a more relaxed pace.
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A temple known for its low-growing Omuro cherry trees. Peak timing varies from year to year, so check the blooming status in the guide before you set out.
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Take the Randen from Omuro-Ninnaji Station to Arashiyama. Take in Togetsukyo Bridge and the blossoms on the hills, then return to Kyoto Station by JR.
View guide →Sample itineraries from day trips to 5 days, by region and season. Every stop links to its guide, and you can save any itinerary as your own trip plan and rearrange it day by day.
🗺 Day tripAutumnKansai ・ 4 stops ・ October・November
A day trip that takes you through Nara Park in autumn, to Kasuga Taisha and Todai-ji, and then to the Shosoin Exhibition, held only at this time of year. You can walk from the station to the museum, making it well suited to a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka.
🗺 2 days, 1 nightKansai ・ 8 stops
A one-night route from and back to Kansai Airport that covers Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, Dotonbori, the Kaiyukan aquarium and an observatory in Umeda. Day 1 focuses on the Minami side and day 2 on Osaka Port and Umeda, keeping each day within its own area.
🗺 3 days, 2 nightsKansai ・ 12 stops
A route covering Kyoto's signature sights, including Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama and Nijo Castle, in three days. Each day focuses on one area (the south and Higashiyama, the northwest, then the center and Okazaki), so you transfer between buses and trains less.
🗺 5 days, 4 nightsKansai ・ 18 stops
A touring route that starts at Kansai Airport and covers Osaka, Himeji, Arima Onsen, Kyoto and Nara in five days. You go west as far as Himeji first, then move east to Kyoto and Nara, so you never have to backtrack.
Check prices, opening hours and access on each stop’s guide and official website. Seasonal events and peak seasons vary from year to year.
