Yaezakura (八重桜:double-flowered cherry blossoms) along the Horikawa riverside are now in full bloom. The Horikawa River (堀川) is a river in Kyoto City, running north to south, next to Nijo Castle.
The Horikawa riverside environment improvement project, completed in 2009, has restored the clear waters of the river.
A promenade has been built along the former riverbed, which is now lined with rows of double-flowered cherry trees.
It is fun to stroll along the promenade of the Horikawa River, a hidden cherry blossom viewing spot, and admire the late-blooming double-flowered cherry trees.
Various Yaezakura Along the Horikawa River
The Horikawa River has a promenade from Oike Dori, where Nijo Castle is located, to Ichijo Dori near Seimei Shrine, lined with rows of cherry trees.
Blooming slightly later than the usual cherry blossom season, a variety of white and pink double-flowered cherry trees bloom in mid-April.
Unlike other cherry blossom viewing spots, the Horikawa River also features abundant greenery.
The surrounding willows and pine trees blend well with the double-flowered cherry trees, creating a beautiful contrast of green and pink.
The image below shows a magnificent pink double-flowered cherry blossom at the foot of the Takeyacho Bridge, with green cherry blossoms in the background.
Unusual green cherry blossoms, Gyoiko
This green cherry tree is a rare variety called “Gyoiko (御衣黄).”
The name comes from its resemblance to the pale yellow-green color of the clothing of the nobility. It is said that it was originally cultivated at Ninna-ji Temple in Kyoto.
The flowers and leaves are the same green color, so if you look at them from a distance, it is hard to tell if they are in bloom.
The color of the Gyoiko changes from green when it first blooms to reddish as it matures, becoming quite red by the time it falls. The color also varies depending on the location and time of year.
This is another example of a Gyoiko cherry blossoms along the Horikawa River, but it has whitish flowers instead of green.
The most common type of cherry blossom on the Horikawa River is the pink “Kanzan” (関山), but there are many other types of cherry trees in bloom.
Strolling along the Horikawa Promenade in Kyoto
The Horikawa River used to be a bleak river with concrete all over the riverbed, but there is now a promenade constructed between Oshikoji Bridge and Motoseiganji Bridge
A walk along the promenade while viewing the late-blooming double-flowered cherry trees is a nice change of pace.
People here take a stroll along the riverside of the Horikawa River, sit on benches for a rest, or just relax.
Stone walls are maintained along the side of this promenade. The stone walls on the west side near Nijo Castle have a long history and were built around 1603 together with the construction of Nijo Castle.
The stone walls are engraved with the marks of feudal lords indicating their share of the construction work.
On the promenade along the Horikawa River, you can take a walk while looking up at the cherry blossoms.
The Horikawa promenade varies along its length, so you will never get tired of strolling along it.
There are ramps and stairs everywhere, making it easy to go up and down the promenade.
When you get tired of strolling, take a break under the cherry trees.
History of Horikawa and Yaezakura Cherry Blossoms
The Horikawa River runs along Horikawa Dori, which runs north-south through Kyoto City, and has a history of approximately 1,200 years, dating back to the Heian period (794-1192).
It is said that the river was originally constructed as a canal and was used for transporting goods as well as for watering the gardens of aristocrats.
The previous Horikawa as depicted on the information board. For Kyoto people, the only image they have of the Horikawa is that of a ditch on the right side of the river.
The image on the left was taken in 1961, shows the Kitano Line of the Kyoto Municipal Electric Railway. At the time when Kyoto’s kimono industry was at its height, it was common to see people washing yuzen dyes on the Horikawa River.
There do not appear to have been any cherry trees on the Horikawa River at that time.
The Horikawa River lost its river-like appearance and became a waterway lined with concrete due to flood control projects carried out from the 1940s to the 1960s.
The present-day Horikawa River, however, has been restored, and the waterfront area improved, through the Horikawa Waterfront Environmental Improvement Project completed in 2009, and a promenade has been built where visitors can take a walk while viewing cherry blossoms in the spring.
Many beautiful double-flowered cherry trees are now in full bloom along the Horikawa River. This is the Hotel Rubino Kyoto Horikawa area.
There are many cherry blossom viewing spots in Kyoto, but the Horikawa River is probably the only place where you can take a walk while looking up at double-flowered cherry blossoms.
It is hard to notice from Horikawa-dori street, but if you have a chance, please go down to the Horikawa River promenade and take a walk.
How to get to the Horikawa River Yaezakura
Horikawa Dori, where the Yaezakura trees are located, is conveniently served by many buses.
If you are taking a bus from Kyoto Station, take Kyoto city bus line 9 or 50 and get off at the Nijojo-mae or Horikawa Marutamachi bus stops.
It takes about 15 minutes by bus from Kyoto Station to Nijo Castle. Nijojo-mae Station on the Tozai Subway Line is another convenient option.
Japanese Article : 京都の桜 ただいま満開！堀川の八重桜
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