Fine Dining in Kyoto with Breathtaking Cherry Blossom Views

Cherry Blossom Season in Kyoto

In Japan, cherry blossoms typically bloom from late March to early April. The 2025 forecast predicts a similar schedule, with blossoms expected to begin opening around March 29 in Tokyo and March 30 in Osaka and Kyoto. Peak bloom is anticipated around April 4 in the Kanto region and April 6 in Osaka.

Since cherry blossoms remain in full bloom for only about a week—and may fall even sooner due to weather conditions—catching them at their peak is a rare and unforgettable experience. In Kyoto, some of the most renowned cherry blossom viewing spots include the Gion area, particularly around Kodaiji Temple and Heian Shrine, as well as the Daigoji Temple area in Fushimi.

Enjoying Cherry Blossoms While Dining

In Japan, it's a cherished tradition to gather under cherry trees during the blossom season to share meals with friends, family, and colleagues. People come together to enjoy packed lunches and drinks while taking in the beauty of the fully bloomed-cherry blossoms.

In this article, the OMAKASE editorial team, a Michelin official partner, presents fine dining spots where you can immerse yourself in the iconic cherry blossom experience—an essential part of Japanese culture. Don't miss out on these restaurants, which are sure to be a highlight of your trip to Japan.

1. Sushi Rakumi (鮨 楽味) / Sushi

Sushi Rakumi is a traditional sushi restaurant with a Michelin one-star rating, awarded consecutively. The chef, who honed his skills at renowned sushi establishments in Tokyo and Gion, serves an exquisite course where Kyoto cuisine and Edo-style sushi are seamlessly blended. One of the standout dishes is the “Steamed Abalone with Liver Sauce,” which is slowly simmered for six hours. The counter, made from a single piece of hinoki cypress wood, features a unique design that allows you to watch the chef's skilled hands from any seat. The street outside is a well-known cherry blossom spot in Kyoto, and from the elegant waiting area on the second floor, you can enjoy stunning views.

2. Torisho Sai (鶏匠催) / Yakitori

Torisho Sai is a renowned yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) restaurant with close ties to the famous Michelin Guide-listed Ichimatsu. The restaurant takes pride in cooking exclusively with firewood and charcoal, never using gas during service.

Upon entering, you’re greeted by an interior that beautifully blends the traditional charm of an old Kyoto machiya (traditional wooden townhouse) with a modern, contemporary vibe, creating a captivating atmosphere. Alongside the famous yakitori made with premium Hinai Jidori chickens from Akita, be sure to try the seasonal vegetables grilled over charcoal. Just a short walk away is Nijo Castle, a famous cherry blossom spot, making it the perfect location for a pre-or post-meal stroll.

3. Tempura Matsu (天ぷら 松) / Tempura

Tempura Matsu is a Japanese restaurant that has earned multiple Silver and Bronze awards for five consecutive years from a prestigious Japanese gourmet review site since 2017. It was also named among the Top 100 in both 2022 and 2023, and in 2024, it received a Michelin Selected distinction. The restaurant offers a variety of Japanese dishes, including tempura (lightly battered and deep-fried vegetables and seafood), sashimi (thinly sliced raw fish), and noodles, all served in a course format. The owner, who trained at the renowned French restaurant Alain Ducasse, crafts a unique fusion of French and Japanese cuisine. Just a short distance away, you'll find Katsuragawa Sports Park, which is lined with beautiful cherry trees.

4. Koke (コケ) / Innovative

Koke is an innovative restaurant that earned a Michelin star just six months after opening in 2021. It is part of the multi-concept facility IDO, which houses two other establishments, all of which use pure spring water drawn from a well in the garden. The owner, who trained at Cà Sento, a Michelin three-star Spanish restaurant in Kobe, crafts dishes inspired by the royal cuisine of his hometown, Okinawa. The restaurant's name, "Koke," is a blend of places connected to the owner, including Kobe and Okinawa. Just a short walk away, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms at Nijo Castle.

5. Kodaiji Jugyuan (高台寺 十牛庵) / Japanese

Kodaiji Jugyuan is a Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant that blends history, nature, and culinary artistry. Housed in a 110-year-old sukiya-style building designed to harmonize with its surroundings, the restaurant sits on a sprawling property with a stunning garden and opened its doors in 2017.

Inside this elegant, historic space, guests can savor Kyoto cuisine meticulously crafted with the finest seasonal ingredients. The owner, committed to preserving Kyoto’s culinary heritage for the next century, approaches each dish with deep reverence and masterful precision.

The garden, designed by a renowned landscape artist, showcases the beauty of the changing seasons, enhancing the dining experience. From the moment you step inside, all five senses are immersed in the essence of Kyoto—not only through the exquisite cuisine but also through the tranquil ambiance.

Just a short walk away, Kodaiji Temple offers a spectacular display of cherry blossoms in the spring.

6. Kyoyamato (京大和) / Japanese

Kyoyamato is a renowned Japanese restaurant that has consistently earned a Michelin star. Nestled within Suikokan, a designated cultural heritage site in Kyoto, it offers authentic Kyoto cuisine in a historic setting once frequented by notable figures such as Kogoro Katsura and Ryoma Sakamoto.

Set within a sprawling estate, the restaurant features a breathtaking Japanese garden and is also home to the Park Hyatt Kyoto. Established in 1877, this esteemed ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant) provides a dining experience that engages all five senses, from exquisite presentation to the delicate aromas of seasonal ingredients.

For guests unaccustomed to floor seating, chairs are available for added comfort. During cherry blossom season, visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the blossoms from the rooms and garden or take a scenic stroll to the nearby Kiyomizu-dera Temple for further blossom viewing.

7. TOKI (都季) / French, Innovative

TOKI is a French innovative restaurant that earned Michelin Guide recognition in both 2023 and 2024. Located within HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, it is led by a chef who refined his craft in France and the Netherlands, offering dishes with a deep emphasis on dashi broth (fond).

Kyoto’s soft, pure water is essential for creating high-quality dashi, a cornerstone of the restaurant’s cuisine. By seamlessly blending Kyoto’s seasonal vegetables and fresh seafood with French culinary techniques, TOKI presents dishes that are as visually stunning as they are flavorful.

A must-try is the foie gras, prepared with dashi made from Kyoto’s renowned Fushimi water, prized for its role in sake brewing. Guests can also enjoy expertly curated wine pairings.

To complete your experience, take a stroll to the nearby Nijo Castle, where you can admire the breathtaking cherry blossoms.

8. Jean-Georges at The Shinmonzen (ジャン-ジョルジュ アット ザ・シンモンゼン) / French

Jean-Georges at The Shinmonzen is a Michelin-starred French restaurant, recognized in both 2023 and 2024. Situated along the Shirakawa River in the heart of Kyoto, within a luxury hotel that offers stunning views of cherry blossoms, the restaurant is led by renowned New York-based French chef, Jean-Georges. The menu blends French, American, and Asian flavors, with standout dishes like egg toast topped with generous caviar. The seasonal course menus feature locally sourced ingredients, including Kyoto vegetables, and change monthly or with the seasons. The wine cellar, with over 3,000 bottles, offers an impressive selection, with a focus on French terroirs.

9. Restaurant Hiramatsu Kodaiji (レストランひらまつ 高台寺) / French

Restaurant Hiramatsu Kodaiji is a French restaurant that has been awarded a Michelin star for six consecutive years, from 2019 to 2024. The chef, who trained at various Hiramatsu locations, including the Paris branch, later became the head chef. Dedicated to traditional French cuisine, the chef takes great care in crafting each dish, believing that dining should bring joy and smiles. Inside, guests can savor beautifully presented dishes while enjoying sweeping views of the historic Kyoto cityscape through large windows. In the spring, a special course is offered, allowing guests to indulge in the beauty of cherry blossoms, with nearby Kodaiji Temple and Kiyomizu-dera Temple providing ideal spots for a peaceful stroll.

10. Hotel Okura Kyoto Okazaki Bettei Nouvelle Epoque (ホテルオークラ京都 岡崎別邸 ヌーヴェル・エポック) / French

Hotel Okura Kyoto Okazaki Bettei Nouvelle Epoque is part of the renowned Hotel Okura chain, a historic name in Japan. Here, the chef, who honed his skills at a Michelin-starred French restaurant, brings his expertise to create exceptional dishes. Carrying on the legacy of the late Masakichi Ono, a pioneer of French cuisine in Japan, the restaurant upholds the Okura tradition, focusing on outstanding flavor, atmosphere, and service.

At Nouvelle Epoque, Okura's signature "Beef Wellington" is reinvented with the addition of foie gras. The interior showcases traditional Japanese craftsmanship, including Nishijin-ori tableware and bamboo creations, offering guests a unique cultural experience. The course menus change every three months to reflect the seasons in Kyoto. Guests can also enjoy cherry blossoms at the nearby Heian Shrine.