HomeItinerariesToursBlogGuidesLocations
Cart
Trip To Japan
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

About Trip To Japan

Company

  • About Us
  • Careers
    New!
  • Blog
  • Travel Guide
  • All tours
  • All itineraries
  • Groups

Partners

  • Tour operator signup
  • Hotel signup
  • Creator signup
    New!

Contact us

+81 03-4578-2152

info@triptojapan.com

Address

Takanawa Travel K.K.,
Kitashinagawa 5-11-1
Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan

Best Locations To Visit

FukuokaHakoneHiroshimaHokkaidoKawasakiKobeKyotoMiyajimaMt. FujiNaganoNagoyaNaoshimaNaraNaritaNikkoOkinawaOsakaTakayamaTokyoTsumagoSee All Locations
Ribbon illustration

License

Certified Travel License
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office: No.3-8367
Japan Travel

QualityTermsPrivacyCommerce Disclosure
© Takanawa Travel

A large cherry blossom tree in full bloom stands behind a bronze bird statue, surrounded by greenery and a wooden fence, under a clear blue sky.
A large cherry blossom tree in full bloom stands behind a bronze bird statue, surrounded by greenery and a wooden fence, under a clear blue sky.
People enjoy food and drinks while sitting on red benches under blooming cherry blossom trees at night during a lively outdoor festival in Japan. The area is crowded and illuminated by overhead lights.
Pink cherry blossom trees and tall bare trees surround a calm pond with reflections, while a small arched bridge crosses the water in a peaceful park setting on a clear, sunny day.
A woman wearing a colorful floral kimono sits on a stone bench in front of a pond with rocks and greenery, smiling at the camera.
A stone path with a wooden railing crosses a small bridge, leading to a Japanese stone lantern. Surrounding are vibrant red and green maple trees and lush greenery in a tranquil garden setting.
Kyoto

Maruyama Park

4.3 (6608)City ParkParkPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Maruyama Park in Kyoto is renowned for its cherry blossom viewing spots, particularly for a large, picturesque weeping cherry tree that becomes the focal point during the Sakura season. Established as Kyoto's first public park, it is a favored destination for both locals and tourists, especially in spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, creating a captivating scene that draws crowds for hanami (flower viewing) parties.

The park's appeal extends beyond the cherry blossom season. It features a variety of trees, plants, and walking paths, making it an enjoyable location for a leisurely stroll or a peaceful rest year-round. Situated next to the Yasaka Shrine and close to other cultural sites like Chion-in and Kiyomizu-dera, Maruyama Park serves as a green oasis in the midst of Kyoto's historic district.

Visitors to Maruyama Park can also enjoy traditional Japanese garden elements, including ponds and stone lanterns, enhancing its serene ambiance. Maruyama Park is not just a place to admire natural beauty; it's a venue that offers a glimpse into the cultural and social life of Kyoto, embodying the city's connection to nature and tradition.

Hours:

Open 24 hours 

Closed:

No closing days

Available:

All year

Minimum Age:

All ages welcome

Fees:

No entry fee


Phone
+81 75-561-1778
Website
kyoto-maruyama-park.jp


The area

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

Phone

+81 75-561-1778

Website

kyoto-maruyama-park.jp

Top ways to experience Maruyama Park

Fushimi Inari Taisha
3-8 hours
Kyoto Private Hidden Gems Walking Tour
Kyoto
9 hours
Hire a Private Local Guide for a Day in Kyoto

What other travelers are saying about Maruyama Park

Maruyama Park (Maruyama-koen) is Kyoto’s oldest public park and its most famous destination for cherry blossom viewing. Spanning nearly 22 acres at the base of the Higashiyama mountains, the park serves as a spacious, natural extension of Yasaka Shrine. It is designed as a "strolling-style" garden, featuring interconnected paths, traditional stone bridges, and serene rest areas. The park is the social heart of Kyoto during the spring, centered around its legendary "Gion Weeping Cherry" (Gion no Yozakura). Beyond the blossoms, it is a year-round retreat for those seeking a blend of Japanese landscape artistry and mountain views, acting as a gateway to the city’s eastern temple district. Temple Origins: For centuries, the land was part of the sprawling grounds of various Buddhist temples and Yasaka Shrine. Following a series of fires in the late Edo period and the subsequent "Separation of Shinto and Buddhism" during the Meiji Restoration, the land was confiscated by the government. Creation of the Park (1886): In 1886, the city of Kyoto officially designated the area as its first public park. This was a revolutionary move at the time, intended to provide a Western-style public space for the city's citizens. Redesign by Ueji (1912): The park took its current, masterpiece form in 1912 when it was redesigned by the legendary landscape architect Ogawa Jihei, also known as Ueji. He integrated the natural water flow from the mountains to create the Gourd Pond and used the "borrowed scenery" (shakkai) of the surrounding hills to make the park feel vast and organic. The Famous Cherry Tree: The park’s central attraction, the massive weeping cherry tree, has a storied lineage. The current tree is a "second-generation" specimen, planted in 1949 from a seed of the original 200-year-old tree that died in 1947. Statue of Sakamoto Ryoma: A bronze monument depicting the famous samurai and revolutionary Sakamoto Ryoma and his companion Nakaoka Shintaro stands in the northern section. The Chion-in Connection: The park shares its northern border with the massive Chion-in Temple, marked by its colossal Sanmon gate. Tea Houses: Several traditional tea houses and restaurants are tucked away in the park’s corners, some dating back over a century.

Nearby attractions to see

A traditional Japanese wooden temple gate stands tall, surrounded by red and green trees, with stone steps leading up to its entrance under a clear blue sky.

Chion-in Temple

A woman in a colorful kimono holding a parasol walks down a quiet stone street in Kyoto, Japan, with traditional wooden buildings and a pagoda visible in the background at sunset.

Gion District

A row of traditional Japanese lanterns, painted red and topped with snow, lines a stone path at dusk, casting a warm glow amid surrounding trees and winter scenery.

Lanterns at Kifune-jinja Shrine

Stone steps lined with red traditional Japanese lanterns lead up through lush green trees in a serene outdoor setting, creating a peaceful and inviting pathway.

Kurama-dera Temple

Nearby attractions to see

A traditional Japanese wooden temple gate stands tall, surrounded by red and green trees, with stone steps leading up to its entrance under a clear blue sky.

Chion-in Temple

A woman in a colorful kimono holding a parasol walks down a quiet stone street in Kyoto, Japan, with traditional wooden buildings and a pagoda visible in the background at sunset.

Gion District

A row of traditional Japanese lanterns, painted red and topped with snow, lines a stone path at dusk, casting a warm glow amid surrounding trees and winter scenery.

Lanterns at Kifune-jinja Shrine

Stone steps lined with red traditional Japanese lanterns lead up through lush green trees in a serene outdoor setting, creating a peaceful and inviting pathway.

Kurama-dera Temple


More about Maruyama Park from our blog

Frequently Asked Questions

Maruyama Park is renowned for its cherry blossoms in spring, making it one of Kyoto's most popular spots for hanami (cherry blossom viewing). The park's centerpiece is a large weeping cherry tree that becomes a spectacular sight when lit up at night during the cherry blossom season.

Maruyama Park is located in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto, next to Yasaka Shrine and close to other famous attractions like Kiyomizu-dera and Gion.

The best time to visit is during the cherry blossom season in early April when the park is at its most beautiful and vibrant. However, the park is also pleasant during other seasons, especially in autumn, when the leaves change color.

Yes, picnicking is a popular activity in Maruyama Park, especially during the cherry blossom season. Many people bring mats and food to enjoy hanami with friends and family.

Maruyama Park is accessible by bus from Kyoto Station. You can take a bus to the Gion bus stop and walk a short distance to the park. The closest train stations are Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Line and Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line, both of which are within walking distance.
  1. Home
  2. Places
  3. Kyoto
  4. Maruyama Park
Profile
George Fine
Feb 22, 2026
Tucked beside Yasaka Shrine in the heart of Kyoto, Maruyama Park (円山公園) transforms into a calm, golden hideaway once autumn arrives. The moment you step in, the air feels different, quiet, cool, and touched with the scent of fallen leaves. The park’s winding paths are lined with fiery red maples and warm amber ginkgo trees, creating a natural tunnel of colours that seem to glow even on cloudy days. Every turn gives a slightly different scene, ponds reflecting the autumn palette, small bridges framed by red leaves, and open spaces carpeted with shades of yellow and crimson.
Profile
Vincent Tan
Dec 7, 2025
I was walking from Chion In temple heading to Kodaiji temple and stumbled upon this small park on my way to Kodaiji. It's so pretty during momiji season, the red leaves against clear sky background, there are small stream in the park. If you come during non peak hours it will be even more peaceful. During my visit its already late afternoon so there are many people there. A lot of ladies wearing kimono and taking photos some wedding photoshoot. It's very happening.
Profile
Syaza
Dec 20, 2025
Maruyama Park Review | Kyoto’s Autumn Heartbeat in a Single Landscape Maruyama Park is one of those rare places where Kyoto’s seasons feel alive—as if the landscape itself is breathing with the city. In your photos, the park is captured in its autumn glory: glowing red maples, warm golden sunlight, and the soft outline of the Higashiyama mountains embracing everything in the background. It is a scene that feels both expansive and intimate. As visitors step into the park, they enter a wide plaza filled with gentle afternoon light. People linger around the stone clock tower, chatting, resting, or simply letting the moment wash over them. The crowd feels calm and friendly, the kind of atmosphere where strangers naturally share the same pace. Moving closer toward the pond, the beauty intensifies. Fiery maple leaves lean over the water, creating reflections so vivid they resemble an impressionist painting. In your photos, people gather by the pond’s edge—some taking pictures, some quietly admiring the scenery, others sitting with friends as if time has slowed just for them. The silhouette of the willow tree adds a soft, almost lyrical contrast to the brightness of the maples. Its delicate branches sway lightly in the late-autumn breeze, giving the park a sense of motion and grace. The scene is peaceful yet full of life, offering a perfect balance that Kyoto is so well-known for. What makes Maruyama Park unforgettable is how effortlessly it blends natural beauty with human presence. Children playing, couples strolling, travelers photographing, families sitting by the water—everyone becomes part of the landscape, adding warmth to the already dazzling view. With the mountains rising quietly behind, the park feels like a natural amphitheater where autumn performs its finest show. As the sun dips lower, the red leaves glow like embers, and the entire park takes on a magical, golden-hour serenity. Maruyama Park isn’t just a scenic stop—it’s an experience. It is Kyoto’s autumn heartbeat, captured in one sweeping panorama of color, light, and peaceful human connection. Leaving the park, you carry with you a sense of calm and brightness, the kind of feeling that stays long after the season fades.
Profile
I CarryU
Nov 20, 2025
We went to the park at night and it was really nice. There weren't a lot of peopleand it wasn't crowded which I loved. The park is full in colors due to the autumn time. It's really nice to see the fall palette!
Profile
Blazka Rupnik
Dec 10, 2025
Cherry Blossom in Kyoto

Cherry Blossom in Kyoto: The Best Spots

March 5, 2026
Cherry Blossoms

Japan's Cherry Blossom Season: Insider Tips for a Perfect Trip

March 5, 2026
Read blog