Umekoji Park in Kyoto

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Facts & Figures

Umekoji Park is a beautiful city park in Kyoto near Toji Temple hidden from the well-known tourist paths. This green spot is full of seasonal flowers, trees, and a large open meadow, where locals enjoy some sports activities. Experience the Ultimate Japanese Hospitality at a Kyoto Ryokan.
 Find Your Perfect Ryokan Now > Part of Umekoji is Suzaku-no-niwa garden, Midori-no-kan garden, Inochi-no-Mori (Living Forest), a tea house, the Kyoto Railway Museum (largest railway museum in Japan), Kyoto Aquarium, and some old trolley cars. These cars are used as souvenir shops and small exhibition spaces. The best time for a visit is the cherry blossom season at the end of March.

• Umekoji Park:
• Open - always, the whole year
• Admission Fee - free

• Suzaku-no-Niwa (Garden):
• Opening Hours - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (last entry 4:30 pm)
• Closed - Mondays, on New Year’s Holiday (28th Dec. - 4th Jan.)
• Admission Fee (Garden & Forest) - 400 yen (Adults), 200 yen (Children)

My tips for local activities

How about exploring the best parts of my favourite city Kyoto with a local guide? The personalized tour by our partner GetYourGuide can take between 2 - 8 hours. For more details check out this page >

History

Since 1995 Umekoji Park has been open to the public. The property was owned by the Japanese Railway Company before it was transformed into a city park.

Sightseeing spots

Top:

Kyoto Railway Museum - It is the largest railway museum in Japan. On display are 53 railway vehicles and carriages, including a Shinkansen of the 500 series. Do not miss a steam locomotive ride at the property and check out the train operating simulator.

Kyoto Aquarium - You will find there 15000 marine animals of appr. 250 different species.

Suzaku-no-Niwa - This garden was created to celebrate the 1200th anniversary of the founding of Heian-kyo (Kyoto) as the capital of Japan during the Heian period (794-1185). The garden covers an area of approx. 9000 square meters. My tip: Come here in November (18th till 27th) when the autumn illumination attracts many visitors to this Japanese landscape garden.

Inochi-no-Mori (Living Forest) - This was in the beginning a freight station and later transformed into this beautiful biotope. Now you can experience again the natural environment before the urbanization of this area.

Chinchin train - It was the first Kyoto city tram and kids love it:) It operates on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Festival & Events in Kyoto (dates can change without notice)

February

Ume Festival (17th - 3rd of March)
During that time approx. 150 plum trees of 14 different varieties are in full bloom within the Umekoji Park. This plum grove was planted in 2000 to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the founding of Shimogyo Ward. As a highlight visitors can walk through the beautiful Ume Komamichi (Plum Blossom Path), which is usually closed to the public.

April

Miyako Odori (1st - 31th)
The traditional annual spring dance of the Kyoto district Gion Kobu performed by Geiko and Maiko is a must-see on your Kyoto visit. Don't miss the most popular dances the Miyako Odori "Cherry Blossom Dances" or "Dances of the Old Capital" at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater (located close to Gion Corner).

May

Aoi Matsuri (15th)
The highlight of this festival is a large parade from the Imperial Palace through the Shimogamo Shrine and ends at the Kamigamo Shrine (Kamigamo-jinja). More than 500 people wearing aristocratic costumes from the Heian Period (794 - 1185). The Aoi Matsuri belongs with the Gion Matsuri and Jidai Matsuri as the three most famous festivals in Kyoto.

July

Gion Matsuri (whole month)
The month of July is full of different events like the Yoiyama - Kyoto's Magical Night (locals in kimonos look at the giant Gion floats the day before the parade) or the famous Yamaboko Junko (float procession on the 17th of July).

October

Jidai Matsuri ("Festival of Ages") (22nd)
People celebrate with a large parade between Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine the anniversary of the foundation of Kyoto. App. 2000 participants wearing historical costumes from different time periods. Enjoy this great festival which lasts around 2 hours.

November

Umekoji Park Autumn Leaves Festival (10th - 26th)
People enjoy the beautiful atmosphere of the park and especially the illumination of the Suzaku-no-Niwa Garden, which is part of Umekoji.