Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto - Two Days and One Night

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TripGoals
First Goal: Enjoy the cherry blossoms at Daigoji Temple!
Second Goal: Savor the Kyoto-esque cherry blossoms!

Day 1
Take the Shinkansen to Kyoto Station. Take the subway to Keage Station. From the station, walk about 10 minutes to the Keage Incline. The Keage Incline was used on the Lake Biwa Canal from the Meiji to Showa periods, but was abolished due to the spread of railways and later preserved as an industrial heritage site. Somei-Yoshino cherry trees form arches on both sides of the inclined railway. You can look up at the cherry blossoms from the unused tracks. From Keage Incline, walk to Keage Station. Take the Tozai Subway Line to Daigo. From there, walk 12 minutes to Daigoji Temple.
Kyoto's Daigoji Temple is known as "Daigo of Flowers," and is home to approximately 700 cherry trees in full bloom. There are a wide variety of cherry blossoms, including weeping cherry, Somei Yoshino, and mountain cherry. The weeping cherry blossoms are truly mystical. You can enjoy the blossoms over a fairly wide area.
... It's conveniently located near a subway station, with convenience stores and supermarkets nearby, and it's also close to Kyoto Station. The hotel only accepts cashless payments. You can store your luggage in the self-cloakroom before check-in and after check-out.

Day 2

Take the city bus from Gojo Takakura to Gojozaka, stopping at the bus stop near the hotel, to head to Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple had a refreshing atmosphere in the morning, which was wonderful. Then, take the bus to Heian Shrine. Heian Shrine's garden is a vast strolling pond-style garden filled with cherry blossoms and has been designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty. In spring, the beautiful red weeping cherry blossoms, featured in Junichiro Tanizaki's "The Makioka Sisters," bloom in full bloom.

After that, have lunch at Kyonai no Mura Nishiki in Nishiki Market. Enjoy the Yasaka set, a colorful small bowl of six obanzai (traditional Japanese side dishes).
While strolling around, I went to Gion Shirakawa to see the cherry blossoms, enjoyed some Gion Koishi Anmitsu, then returned to the hotel and headed home from Kyoto Station.

Transportation
I made sure to use the trains as much as possible. The subway is punctual and easy to schedule. Buses are convenient, but some routes can get quite crowded, so allow plenty of time.

Notes
Check the weather forecast before heading out to see the cherry blossoms.

Photogenic Spots
The cherry blossoms at Daigoji Temple and Heian Shrine are stunning. The nighttime illuminations at Toji Temple are also amazing.
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