Top 5 Hidden Cherry Blossom Spots Near Kyoto: Enjoy Tranquil Lake Biwa Sakura Views

• Table of Contents
• Easy Access from Kyoto! Where is Lake Biwa?
• 1. Miidera Temple: Sakura Spot to Enjoy Both Day and Night
• 2. Boat Ride Along the Biwako Canal with Stunning Sakura Views 
• 3. World Heritage Site in 2027?! Hikone Castle, Japan's National Treasure
• 4. The Ukimido Temple, a Floating Temple 
• 5. Cherry Blossom Tunnel "Kaizu Osaki"
• Where to Stay in Lake Biwa for Cherry Blossom Viewing and Sightseeing

Easy Access from Kyoto! Where is Lake Biwa?

Lake Biwa, located in Shiga Prefecture, is Japan's largest lake and attracts many tourists with its beautiful scenery and abundant nature. It is easily accessible, being only about 10 minutes by train from Kyoto. There are many cherry blossom viewing spots and tourist attractions along the lake's shores, allowing visitors to enjoy the scenery of each season.

Ogoto Onsen Yumotokan has a hot spring with a panoramic view of Lake Biwa. We, who are experts on the local sightseeing spots, will introduce you to some recommended cherry blossom spots nearby. It's cherry blossom season, so it can get crowded, but why not escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy the scenery that can only be seen in spring?

Yumotokan Official Website

1. Miidera Temple: Sakura Spot to Enjoy Both Day and Night

Miidera Temple has been loved as a famous cherry blossom spot since the Manyo period. Its beauty never fades, and the "daytime cherry blossoms" that paint the large grounds pink and the "night cherry blossoms" that are lit up at night give the grounds a colorful glow with different expressions during the day and at night.

Sonojoji Temple (Mii-dera Temple)

246 Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, Otsu City, 520-0036

Sonojoji Temple (Mii-dera) is a historic temple located in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, and is also known as a famous cherry blossom spot. Approximately 1,000 cherry trees are planted in the grounds, and in spring you will find a beautiful landscape surrounded by pale pink colours. In particular, the contrast between the golden hall, bell tower and cherry blossoms is charming, allowing you to enjoy a view that harmonizes history and nature. The best time to see cherry blossoms at Mii-dera is from early to mid-April each year. The lit up is done at night, allowing you to enjoy the cherry blossoms at night in a fantastic atmosphere. One of the highlights is the combination of the "Mitsui no Ban Bell," which is one of Japan's three great bells, and the cherry blossoms. The grounds are spacious and relaxing, making them popular not only with tourists but also with locals. This is a recommended spot for those who want to enjoy the cherry blossoms quietly while feeling the history.

2. Boat Ride Along the Biwako Canal with Stunning Sakura Views 

The Lake Biwa Canal is an artificial waterway that brings the water of Lake Biwa to Kyoto. The scenery that exudes a different atmosphere in each season has come to play a role as a place of relaxation for the citizens, and the area around Wakaoji on the canal branch has been developed as the "Philosopher's Path" and is famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot. There is also a course that takes you on a boat trip from Otsu on Lake Biwa to Keage in Kyoto, which is full of atmosphere.

Lake Biwa Canal Boat Official Website

3. World Heritage Site in 2027?! Hikone Castle, Japan's National Treasure

Hikone Castle is one of the few castles in Japan where the original keep still stands. Around the double moat surrounding it, approximately 1,100 cherry trees bloom, and the castle is illuminated at night. It aims to be registered as a World Heritage Site in 2027!

4. The Ukimido Temple, a Floating Temple 

The floating temple on Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, is called "Katada no Rakugan" (Rice Crackers of Katada), one of the Eight Views of Omi, and the temple is called Kaimonzan Mangetsuji. It was built by Eshin Sozu during the Heian period to pray for safety on the lake and for the salvation of all living beings, and you can still feel the atmosphere of that time.

5. Cherry Blossom Tunnel "Kaizu Osaki"

The cherry blossoms of Kaizu - Osaki, selected as one of Japan's 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots, boast approximately 800 Somei Yoshino cherry trees stretching for about 4 kilometers. Viewing the cherry blossoms from a boat on the lake offers a unique and special experience.

Where to Stay in Lake Biwa for Cherry Blossom Viewing and Sightseeing

Ogoto Onsen Yumotokan is a ryokan located along Lake Biwa. The ryokan offers a variety of hot springs with different atmospheres, including an open-air bath where you can have the magnificent view of Lake Biwa all to yourself. During your stay, you can enjoy Kyoto-style kaiseki cuisine made with fresh local ingredients and the famous high-quality brand beef "Omi beef". Although it is easily accessible to Kyoto and close to the city center, you can enjoy a special stay at Yumotokan, a ryokan surrounded by nature.

Ogoto Hot Spring"Yumotokan" Official Website

Ogoto Onsen Yumotokan

5520102 2-30-7 Naeka, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture

Ogoto Onsen is said to have been opened about 1,200 years ago by Dengyo Daishi Saicho to reward the work of the craftsmen who built Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei, a World Heritage Site. Among them, Yumotokan is a long-established inn with a history of 96 years. The secret to its popularity is its four different hot springs, including an open-air bath overlooking Lake Biwa from the 11th floor and an open-air bath that gives the illusion of being a hot spring in the forest, as well as its Kyoto-style kaiseki meals made with carefully selected seasonal ingredients, including "certified Omi beef," one of Japan's three great wagyu beef brands. Although it is only 20 minutes by train from Kyoto, this inn allows you to feel the warmth of nature and Japan, such as Lake Biwa and the Hira mountain range.