Most people visit Kyoto for its traditional vibe. While the temples and shrines are certainly the must-sees in the city, you are missing out if that is all you have on your itinerary! Kyoto Botanical Garden (京都府立植物園), also known as the Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Garden, is a hidden gem in the northern part of Kyoto City. It is the best attraction in Kyoto to admire flowers throughout the year. Of course, the fall foliage in the vast garden is absolutely breathtaking.
Table of Contents
- About Kyoto Botanical Garden
- Kyoto Botanical Garden’s Greenhouse
- Nakaragi Shrine (半木神社)
- The Plum Blossoms at Kyoto Botanical Garden
- The Cherry Blossoms at Kyoto Botanical Garden
- Kyoto Botanical Garden’s Rose Garden
- Other Flowers at Kyoto Botanical Garden
- Kyoto Botanical Garden’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
Refer to HERE for Kyoto Botanical Garden Map.
About Kyoto Botanical Garden
Opened in 1924, Kyoto Botanical Garden is Japan’s oldest public comprehensive botanical garden. Its 24,000-hectare grounds house around 12,000 types of plants.
However, the botanical garden was nearly destroyed by WWII. Three-quarters of the vegetation was lost as a result of the war. A lot of effort was put into bringing the garden back to life, and by 1957, it was completely restored!
Kyoto Botanical Garden’s Conservatory
The Conservatory is a must-visit attraction at Kyoto Botanical Garden. The current one is the third generation, which was completed in 1992. There are around 4,500 varieties of vegetation there. The facility is divided into eight zones. Not only does it have tropical plants, but the greenhouse also has areas for alpine plants and those that can survive in low temperatures.
Refer to HERE for Kyoto Botanical Garden Greenhouse Map.
Nakaragi Shrine (半木神社)
Four ponds are on the north side of the park, and a shrine is in the center. Nakaragi Shrine is an auxiliary shrine of Kamigamo Shrine (上賀茂神社) nearby and has a long history.
The area where the botanical garden was located is called “Nishigori-no-Sato (錦部里)”. It is the birthplace of silk textiles in Japan. In fact, those in the textile business still worship the god at Nakaragi Shrine!
As the locals want the effort they put into what they care about to bear fruit, people pray at Nakaragi Shrine after the botanical garden is opened. Why? Because they want to borrow the good luck of the fruiting trees planted.
Moreover, the area around Nakaragi Shrine is the only natural forest in Kyoto Botanical Garden. The space preserves the original scenery of Yamashiro Basin (山城盆地) – so much so that you will forget that you are in a garden!
In addition, the waterwheel close to the shrine is surrounded by maple trees. The spot is particularly picturesque during the autumn foliage season.
The Plum Blossoms at Kyoto Botanical Garden
Kyoto Botanical Garden also has a plum grove. To get there, follow the promenade and head east.
There are about 120 plums of 60 varieties in the plum grove, including the early and late bloomers. Thus, the plum blossom season is long, extending from late January to late March. The plum blossom season at Kyoto Botanical Garden usually peaks between mid-February and early March.
The Cherry Blossoms at Kyoto Botanical Garden
Kyoto Botanical Garden is also a spot to admire the cherry blossoms in Kyoto. With 500 cherry trees of 170 varieties planted, the cherry blossom season in the garden can last for a month. The Yoshino cherry blossoms at Kyoto Botanical Garden usually bloom from late March to early April.
Furthermore, there is a cafe close to the cherry trees where you can enjoy a cup of coffee while admiring the flowers.
- Nighttime illumination is also held during the cherry blossom season.
- In 2024, the light-up event was held from sunset to 9 pm from the 23rd of March to the 7th of April.
- Note that the last admission was taken at 8 pm.
If you can read Japanese, refer to HERE for information on where each type of cherry blossom is located in the Kyoto Botanical Garden.
Kyoto Botanical Garden’s Rose Garden
In early summer, the rose garden in the southern part of the park is the best spot to be between late May and early June. There are around 2,000 roses of 250 varieties here. During the rose season, let the elegant scent scent waft around you!
In addition, head to the terrace on the Botanical Garden Hall’s second floor. You will get a scenic view of the rose garden with Mt. Hiei as a backdrop!
Refer to HERE for Kyoto Botanical Garden Rose Garden Map.
Other Flowers at Kyoto Botanical Garden
- Tulips
- The tulip season is from late March to April.
- Rhododendron: The Rhododendron Garden, with 80 plants, was opened in 2004 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Kyoto Botanical Garden.
- The rhododendron season usually peaks in the second half of May.
- Hydrangeas: There are around 2,500 hydrangeas of 52 species can be found in the Hydrangea Garden.
- The hydrangea season is from June to early July.
- Irises: 10,000 irises of 200 varieties
- The iris season is in June.
- Water lilies
- The water lily season is from mid-June to mid-October (Hollandia from mid-June to July; tropical water lily from July to mid-October).
- Sunflowers
- The sunflower season is from mid-July to August.
- Cosmos
- The cosmos season is from late September to November.
- Autumn foliage
- Kyoto Botanical Garden’s autumn foliage season is from mid-November to early December.
- Camelias: 600 camelias of approximately 250 cultivars are growing in the 4,000-square-meter garden.
- The camelia season is from February to April.
Kyoto Botanical Garden’s Free Guided Tours
If you can understand Japanese, visit Kyoto Botanical Garden to join a free guided tour.
- A 45-minute guided tour is held by the garden’s recognized volunteer guide at 1 pm on Wednesdays.
- Refer to HERE for more details.
- A 45-minute guided tour is held by the garden staff at 1 pm on Saturdays.
- Refer to HERE for more details.
- A 45-minute guided tour is offered by the garden’s principal and vice principal at 2 pm on most Sundays.
- Refer to HERE for more details.
- The garden’s honorary director also offers a 60-minute tour on a couple of Sundays during the year.
- Refer to HERE for more details.
Kyoto Botanical Garden’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
- Kyoto Botanical Garden is open from 9 am to 5 pm.
- The last admission is at 4 pm.
- The greenhouse is open from 10 am to 4 pm.
- The last admission is at 3:30 pm.
- The garden is closed from the 28th of December to the 4th of January.
- The admission fee is:
- 250 yen for adults
- 200 yen for senior high school students
- Kyoto Botanical Garden is a 2-minute walk from Kyoto Subway’s Kitayama Station exit 3 (京都地下鉄 北山駅 3番出口).
- You can also take Kyoto City Bus and get off at Shokubutsuen-mae (植物園前).
Discover Other Plum Blossom Spots in Kyoto
Regardless the overtourism problem, Kyoto is undoubtably Japan’s most popular tourist destination. If you plan to visit Kyoto in early spring, there are several spots for you to add to your itinerary to enjoy the seasonal flower, plum blossoms! While the view created by the plum flowers may be less awe-inspiring than the cherry blossoms due to the volumes, the elegant fragrance will make your visit more pleasant.
For more information, refer to our article on The Plum Blossom Spots in Kyoto!
