Maruyama Park, Urban park in Higashiyama district, Kyoto, Japan
Maruyama is a public park in Higashiyama district, Kyoto, Japan, with paths through Japanese gardens and ponds set against forested hills. Wooden tea houses stand among the cherry trees and offer shaded resting spots along the routes.
The site opened in 1886 as Kyoto's first public green space, after the city sought to create recreation areas for residents during the Meiji era. The grounds originally included the land of nearby temples before being transformed into its present form.
The name refers to the rounded shape of the grounds, which now serve as a popular meeting spot for families and friend groups. Visitors spread blankets beneath the trees and enjoy packed meals together, especially when the cherry blossoms bloom.
The grounds stay open daily without admission and can be reached via Gion Shijo Station or city buses stopping in the Gion district. The paths suit quiet walks, and visitors should bring comfortable shoes for uneven surfaces.
Among the more than 300 cherry trees, today's large weeping specimen grew from seeds of its 200-year-old predecessor that died in 1947. Evenings bring illumination to this tree and create a display that draws night visitors until late.
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