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See the Eternal City tinted in the delicate pink of Spring and sigh at the fleeting beauty of the sakura. Here are the top spots to for ohanami (cherry blossom viewing).
5) Maruyama Park
The 12m tall “Gion no Yozakura (Night Sakura of Gion)” weeping cherry tree here is a Kyoto sakura icon. The night illumination of this and some other 680 cherry trees in four varieties make Kyoto’s oldest park (since 1886) a favourite night spot.
6) Keage Incline
Once used as a ship-transporting railway between canals until the 1940s – the longest incline rail in the world – this 582m track is famous for its nearly 100 Yamazakura and Somei Yoshino cherry trees. The eastside of Niomon Dori is the best viewing spot!
7) Philosopher’sWalk
Named after famous philosopher Kitaro Nishida who meditated daily along this path, the cherry blossoms here form a pink canopy over this 1.5km canal route, gently sprinkling petals along its waters. Cited as one of Japan’s Top 100 Walking Paths, there’s no better place to ponder!
8) Kamo River
Stroll along the river bank or have a picnic under the cascade of beni (red) weeping sakura that forms during full bloom, before following the path to the Kyoto Botanical Gardens’500 cherry trees consisting of 70 varieties, which are illuminated at night.
