Maruyama Park, tucked behind Yasaka Shrine at the foot of the Higashiyama hills, is the most popular public park in Kyoto and its most famous spot for hanami. Laid out in the Meiji era, it is a gentle landscape of ponds, streams, stone lanterns and winding paths, with tea houses and restaurants around its edges. At its heart stands a huge shidarezakura, a weeping cherry tree, which in early April is floodlit after dark and surrounded by revellers and food stalls in one of the city’s great cherry-blossom scenes. The rest of the year it is simply a lovely, free place to stroll between the temples of Higashiyama.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Higashiyama, Kyoto |
| Hours | Always open |
| Admission | Free |
| Time needed | 30–60 minutes |
| Best time | Early April for cherry blossom |
What to See
- The giant floodlit weeping cherry tree in spring.
- Ponds, streams and stone lanterns in a Meiji-era garden.
- Hanami crowds and food stalls in early April.
- A free green link between the Higashiyama temples.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Yasaka Shrine at its gate.
- Pair with the streets of Gion below.
- Read our Kyoto overview .
Getting There
- By bus: Kyoto City Bus to Gion, then walk through Yasaka Shrine.
- By train: Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan), about 10 minutes' walk.
Tips
Come in early April for the famous illuminated weeping cherry, but be ready for dense evening crowds and reserve nothing — the food stalls and hanami parties are the whole point. Outside cherry season it’s a peaceful, free garden that links Yasaka Shrine, Chion-in and the southern Higashiyama temples, making it a natural rest stop rather than a destination in itself.
