Hirano Shrine
平野神社
Kyoto's premier cherry blossom shrine with over 400 trees of 60 different varieties, blooming in succession from mid-March to late April. Founded 794 AD when the capital moved to Kyoto. The shrine's diverse sakura collection ensures weeks of continuous bloom unlike single-variety spots.
Key Architectural & Sacred Highlights
- 400+ cherry trees of 60 rare varieties
- Continuous bloom from mid-March to late April
- Rare early-blooming varieties (Weeping Magic cherry)
- Night illumination during cherry season
- Free admission to grounds
- Easy to combine with Kinkaku-ji visit
📍 How to Get There
Nearest Station
Bus stop Kinugasa-ko-mae (Bus 205 or 50)
Step-by-Step Directions
- 1 From Kyoto Station: Bus 205 to Kinugasa-ko-mae (35 min)
- 2 From Kinkaku-ji: 10 minute walk south
- 3 From Kitano Tenmangu: 5 minute walk north
- 4 Easy to combine with Kinkaku-ji and Kitano Tenmangu visits
Live Municipal Bus Approach GTFS-RT
Nearest Stop: Waratenjin-mae (わら天神前) • ~3 min walk
Footwear & Accessibility Radar
Shoes Allowed Throughout Cherry Blossom Precinct
Packed dirt and gravel paths; outdoor shoes permitted.
Flat, level shrine grounds directly accessible from Nishioji-dori.
Location & Maps
🗺️ Interactive map - zoom and pan to explore
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
35.034444 135.7325 💡 Tip: "View Location" shows the temple on the map. "Get Directions" navigates from your current position.
Best Time to Visit
Mid-March to late April for continuous cherry blossom season across 60 varieties. The rare early-blooming Weeping Magic cherry blooms in mid-March. Night illuminations during peak bloom are magical. Very crowded on weekends in April.
Contact & Info
1 Hirano Miyamoto-cho, Kita Ward, Kyoto 603-8322
Planning Your Visit?
Book nearby hotels and get exclusive deals for your Kyoto trip.
View Hotel Deals
Discover More
Sacred Sites of Kyoto
Book Kyoto Experiences
Nearby Temples & Shrines
These sacred sites are closest to Hirano Shrine and easy to combine in a single visit.
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
北野天満宮
Shrine free, plum garden 1,000 yen (includes tea and sweets, Feb-Mar only) · 45 minutes to 1 hour (2-3 hours during flea market)
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
金閣寺
500 yen adults, 300 yen elementary/junior high students · 1 hour (one-way walking path, can't turn back)
Taizo-in Temple
退蔵院
600 yen · 30-45 minutes
Ryoan-ji Temple
龍安寺
500 yen adults, 300 yen elementary/junior high students · 45 minutes to 1 hour (include time for rock garden contemplation and pond walk)
Daitoku-ji Temple
大徳寺
Main grounds free, sub-temples 400-600 yen each · 1-2 hours (visit 2-3 sub-temples)
Imamiya Shrine
今宮神社
Free · 20-30 minutes (add time for aburimochi snack)