Haradanien
Haradanien
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Neighborhood: Northern Kyoto
Hot springs and historic temples characterize the leafy landscapes of Northern Kyoto. Acres of tranquil residential streets are interrupted by some of Kyoto's most gorgeous architectural gems, including the majestic Golden Pavilion of Kinkakuji, the serene artistry of the Ryoanji Temple rock gardens, and the bold red paint across the structures of Enryakuji Temple. Once a religious core of the city, the district now boasts some of its most remote and peaceful hot springs, as well as a few of its best family-run mom-and-pop restaurants. A blend of extremely local at its outskirts, and highly peopled at its tourist centers, Northern Kyoto nonetheless retains a halcyon air in harmony with nature.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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United3millionmiler
Cupertino, CA167 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
My wife and I visited March 31, 2023, just as this private garden cherry blossoms were reaching full bloom as well as other flowering plants. Wow! A few hours here was at the top of our visit to Kyoto. 1,500 yen admission. Shuttle bus offered, but we took a taxi to and from the garden.
Written April 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aquavanguard
Seattle, WA152 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
This small, privately owned hill is filled with cherry blossoms, yellow kerria japonica and white spiraea. When I visited with my family in early April, we literally felt we were enveloped in a dizzying mist of pink fog.
Note that the park has a unique admission fee system. It scales depending on the state of the cherry blossoms. When in full bloom, admission is 1500 yen per person. If you are a cherry blossom lover, a botanist, a photographer, a garden enthusiast or even an affluent solo traveler, this would not be a hefty price for the experience. On the other hand, if you are a budget backpacker or a tourist family of six, you may consider it outrageous.
After all, Haradanien offers nothing but the beauty of plants. There is no cultural / historical significance to this place, and the small hill itself is not exactly well groomed the way public parks are. The walkways get muddy in the rain and the footing is not really ideal for the elderly (Having said that, the park WAS filled to the brim with senior Japanese citizens, walking around in little packs, oohing and aahing at the flowers -- a charming site). When we visited, we saw no foreign tourists whatsoever.
Should you decide to visit, don't bother trying to save money taking a bus. It's a complicated headache in terms of logistics, especially the return trip. The buses run infrequently (1-2x an hour at its peak) and is usually already packed with the local elderly population armed with their free pass and time table, making it impossible to even board. Rather, combine this with a trip to Kinkakuji, which is a 5-10 min drive away, and take a taxi from there.
Note that the park doesn't try to cater to foreign tourists at all. Case in point, their website does not offer any English translations, but I am posting it below anyway for those who are interested in viewing the beautiful images.
http://www.haradanien.com/
Note that the park has a unique admission fee system. It scales depending on the state of the cherry blossoms. When in full bloom, admission is 1500 yen per person. If you are a cherry blossom lover, a botanist, a photographer, a garden enthusiast or even an affluent solo traveler, this would not be a hefty price for the experience. On the other hand, if you are a budget backpacker or a tourist family of six, you may consider it outrageous.
After all, Haradanien offers nothing but the beauty of plants. There is no cultural / historical significance to this place, and the small hill itself is not exactly well groomed the way public parks are. The walkways get muddy in the rain and the footing is not really ideal for the elderly (Having said that, the park WAS filled to the brim with senior Japanese citizens, walking around in little packs, oohing and aahing at the flowers -- a charming site). When we visited, we saw no foreign tourists whatsoever.
Should you decide to visit, don't bother trying to save money taking a bus. It's a complicated headache in terms of logistics, especially the return trip. The buses run infrequently (1-2x an hour at its peak) and is usually already packed with the local elderly population armed with their free pass and time table, making it impossible to even board. Rather, combine this with a trip to Kinkakuji, which is a 5-10 min drive away, and take a taxi from there.
Note that the park doesn't try to cater to foreign tourists at all. Case in point, their website does not offer any English translations, but I am posting it below anyway for those who are interested in viewing the beautiful images.
http://www.haradanien.com/
Written April 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hfot2 🌸🍁🌸
Vermont7,620 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
Haradani-en, a private garden, was different from every other garden we’ve seen in Japan.
It was a bit past peak but still lovely when we were there on 12 April 2018. We can’t wait to return on our next visit and hope to see it at peak.
The garden is up in the hills outside of Kyoto which explains why the blossoms were still on although the rest of Kyoto was way past peak. Another explanation is that the garden includes many varieties of cherry trees, but especially the late-flowering weeping sakura. It also features azaleas, rhododendron and dogwood, and green sakura as well.
The blossoms on the pink weepers were well past peak but still lovely even though there had been heavy petal fall. The azaleas and rhododendrons were in full bloom.
Food is available at a few food stalls. Food from outside can not be brought in. We bought two bentos from the stall and we had our own hanami sitting at one of the isolated tables under the trees at the top looking down on a beautiful view. There also is a restaurant if you want a more formal meal here, but we didn’t want to spend time waiting for a place at a table and then eating when we could be walking under the trees.
It was a wonderfully quiet and peaceful garden up in the hills on the outskirts of Kyoto. There were many visitors there, but hardly the crowds that we see elsewhere in Kyoto. Perhaps the entrance fee or the perceived expense and difficulty of getting here kept the hoards away.
Access need not involve an (expensive) taxi ride. You can get there for free if you have a JR pass and a bit of time. Take the JR bus from Kyoto station and get off at Waratenjin Mae. Walk up the street to the entrance of Waratenji and you will see a man on the sidewalk holding a sign saying something to the effect of “Free shuttle bus stop for Haradani-en” Get on the bus and it will take you directly to the rear entrance of the garden. Total cost of transport: ¥0. Even if you don’t have the JR pass, this way is certainly less expensive than a taxi would be.
Entrance fee for garden is somewhat pricey: ¥1200 weekdays and ¥1500 weekends - but well worth it in our opinion.
I hope this information on access to the garden proves helpful and useful if you plan to visit.
It was a bit past peak but still lovely when we were there on 12 April 2018. We can’t wait to return on our next visit and hope to see it at peak.
The garden is up in the hills outside of Kyoto which explains why the blossoms were still on although the rest of Kyoto was way past peak. Another explanation is that the garden includes many varieties of cherry trees, but especially the late-flowering weeping sakura. It also features azaleas, rhododendron and dogwood, and green sakura as well.
The blossoms on the pink weepers were well past peak but still lovely even though there had been heavy petal fall. The azaleas and rhododendrons were in full bloom.
Food is available at a few food stalls. Food from outside can not be brought in. We bought two bentos from the stall and we had our own hanami sitting at one of the isolated tables under the trees at the top looking down on a beautiful view. There also is a restaurant if you want a more formal meal here, but we didn’t want to spend time waiting for a place at a table and then eating when we could be walking under the trees.
It was a wonderfully quiet and peaceful garden up in the hills on the outskirts of Kyoto. There were many visitors there, but hardly the crowds that we see elsewhere in Kyoto. Perhaps the entrance fee or the perceived expense and difficulty of getting here kept the hoards away.
Access need not involve an (expensive) taxi ride. You can get there for free if you have a JR pass and a bit of time. Take the JR bus from Kyoto station and get off at Waratenjin Mae. Walk up the street to the entrance of Waratenji and you will see a man on the sidewalk holding a sign saying something to the effect of “Free shuttle bus stop for Haradani-en” Get on the bus and it will take you directly to the rear entrance of the garden. Total cost of transport: ¥0. Even if you don’t have the JR pass, this way is certainly less expensive than a taxi would be.
Entrance fee for garden is somewhat pricey: ¥1200 weekdays and ¥1500 weekends - but well worth it in our opinion.
I hope this information on access to the garden proves helpful and useful if you plan to visit.
Written January 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wanderlust_curacao
Rotterdam, The Netherlands177 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
There aren't many places where you can just walk peacefully. This is definitely one of the places I recommend. It was one of the places that still had some cherry blossoms in Kyoto during that time and it was definitely worth it. I went in the afternoon and there were about 5 people there, including me. The park was small but beautiful.
Written May 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
silk
Leeds, UK65 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
This place was magical, there are so many cherry blossom trees - it was the top highlight of our trip to Kyoto. Did not want to leave this beautiful garden.
Written April 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PhotoMD
Melbourne, Australia217 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
I guess the secret is out. If you've missed the peak of the cherry blossoms in Kyoto or Philosopher's Path is filled with tripods and selfie sticks, come here. They have weeping cherry and other late blooming varieties including some azaleas and rhododendrons.
Do not come on weekends as it is super crowded with local tourists. There are not many foreigners here and staff don't speak English. They open 9am to 5pm and save yourself some hassle and just take a taxi. Allow 2 hours in this garden. They will confiscate your tripod at the gate ~ you get a ticket to retrieve it later. Selfie sticks are OK.
It is a private garden located north west of Kyoto near Kinkakuji. I would suggest you take a taxi to Kinkakuji and be there at 9am. You'll be done by 10:30am. Take another taxi to Haradani-en. Download the Japan Taxi app, it works like Uber except for taxis. Admission for adults is Y1500 and kids Y500. It is well worth it. You are literally walking under canopies filled with cherry blossoms. There are slopes and little valleys filled with them. The paths are dirt and NOT pram or wheelchair friendly.
There are toilet and food facilities. You can sit under the Sakuras and have your bento box or sushi for lunch.
After this you can wander down to Ninna-ji temple for more late blooming sakura and some history / architecture. It is also not too far from the Arashiyama bamboo forest but best to take another taxi. Then you're done for this North West area of Kyoto.
Do not come on weekends as it is super crowded with local tourists. There are not many foreigners here and staff don't speak English. They open 9am to 5pm and save yourself some hassle and just take a taxi. Allow 2 hours in this garden. They will confiscate your tripod at the gate ~ you get a ticket to retrieve it later. Selfie sticks are OK.
It is a private garden located north west of Kyoto near Kinkakuji. I would suggest you take a taxi to Kinkakuji and be there at 9am. You'll be done by 10:30am. Take another taxi to Haradani-en. Download the Japan Taxi app, it works like Uber except for taxis. Admission for adults is Y1500 and kids Y500. It is well worth it. You are literally walking under canopies filled with cherry blossoms. There are slopes and little valleys filled with them. The paths are dirt and NOT pram or wheelchair friendly.
There are toilet and food facilities. You can sit under the Sakuras and have your bento box or sushi for lunch.
After this you can wander down to Ninna-ji temple for more late blooming sakura and some history / architecture. It is also not too far from the Arashiyama bamboo forest but best to take another taxi. Then you're done for this North West area of Kyoto.
Written April 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jessiesoon
Raub District, Malaysia1,300 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
I have visited this garden twice. Both in the month of April (last year and this year).
I took the cab from Kinkaku-ji to the garden. It was cheaper and faster this way.
Last year, I visited on a weekday, so the entrance fee was slightly lower than on weekend. And they opened at 9 in the morning. I wanted to avoid the crowd hearing so many good things about this garden during my first visit. I arrived at about 9 in the morning and there isn't much crowd, which is perfect to explore the garden.
On my second visit this year, I visited on a Sunday. It was so crowded and the entrance fee was 1500yen. It is quite expensive, but if you arrived too late in Kyoto for the early sakura blooms in other sites, this garden could be your next of choice to see the late blooming sakuras. I would say, definitely worth the money we paid. But bear in minds that it's really, really crowded on the weekends, even if you arrived at 9 in the morning. There was a long queue when we arrived but we didn't wait too long for our turn to enter.
The flowers and cherry blossoms was so beautiful. Would really recommend this site if you are going to visit Kyoto next Spring... And I think they are open in the fall as well, where you can see beautiful momiji (aka fall leaves)!
I took the cab from Kinkaku-ji to the garden. It was cheaper and faster this way.
Last year, I visited on a weekday, so the entrance fee was slightly lower than on weekend. And they opened at 9 in the morning. I wanted to avoid the crowd hearing so many good things about this garden during my first visit. I arrived at about 9 in the morning and there isn't much crowd, which is perfect to explore the garden.
On my second visit this year, I visited on a Sunday. It was so crowded and the entrance fee was 1500yen. It is quite expensive, but if you arrived too late in Kyoto for the early sakura blooms in other sites, this garden could be your next of choice to see the late blooming sakuras. I would say, definitely worth the money we paid. But bear in minds that it's really, really crowded on the weekends, even if you arrived at 9 in the morning. There was a long queue when we arrived but we didn't wait too long for our turn to enter.
The flowers and cherry blossoms was so beautiful. Would really recommend this site if you are going to visit Kyoto next Spring... And I think they are open in the fall as well, where you can see beautiful momiji (aka fall leaves)!
Written May 31, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mabei0123
Tsukuba, Japan16,693 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
I visited this beautiful garden for the first time on April 12, 2015. Although this is a private garden unknown to most foreigners and also to many Japanese, it is one of the most popular garden for people living in Kyoto to see Sakura. Indeed, this garden has a variety of early and late blooming Sakura including the most beautiful Shidare Sakura (weeping cherry blossom). The entrance fee is a little bit expensive(1,200 yen on weekdays and 1,500 yen on weekends) than other places, but it is worthy. Indeed, I have never seen such a beautiful garden in my life: it was a gorgeous heaven of Sakura on mid April. The garden is located north west of Kinkakuji (Golden Temple) and north east of Ninna-ji Temple, which is famous by late blooming Omuro Sakura. Thus, it was the best to take taxi from subway Kitaoji station to visit Kinkakuji and then take taxi again from Kinkakuji to Haratanien. Then, after Haratanien, it was very nice to go to Ninnaji Temple by taxi again and then take Randen line from Omuro-Ninnaji station to Arashiyama.
Written April 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tala n
Kobe, Japan40 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
The garden is an amazing cherry blossom fairy land! If you’ve come to Japan for cherry blossoms, this garden is one of the best places. You can enjoy 360 degree views of beautiful cherry blossoms. They update their Facebook page daily during the season, so you can check the status of the blooms. The fee is a bit more than most other gardens, (1500 yen for adults), but definitely worth it!
Written May 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deyadeya
Kyoto, Japan61 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
I recommend this place to those of you who love exploring places that are not too touristy and this is definitely a local favorite! It is better to visit on the weekdays early in the morning. My friends and I arrived at 9:30 am which is not too long after the garden opens. There were not many people and most of them are Japanese. Don't hesitate to say hello to them because they are generally very friendly :)
I also suggest to learn about the weather condition. It is better to go there mid of April (depends on the sakura forecast). Because we were originally going to visit at the end of April but it was raining the night before our visit (April 14th) and the sakura petals are falling quite many. It was a beautiful sight though! Therefore, I am not sure if there will be many sakura left at the end of this month.
Most of the sakura trees are the shidare type (weeping cherry blossoms), they are somehow eerily beautiful. There are also other type of shidare such as shidare momo etc. All names are written in Japanese though.
Don't forget to check their opening schedules as it may be different from last year. The ticket price is also quite pricey (¥1,500) so you should be prepared.
I also suggest to learn about the weather condition. It is better to go there mid of April (depends on the sakura forecast). Because we were originally going to visit at the end of April but it was raining the night before our visit (April 14th) and the sakura petals are falling quite many. It was a beautiful sight though! Therefore, I am not sure if there will be many sakura left at the end of this month.
Most of the sakura trees are the shidare type (weeping cherry blossoms), they are somehow eerily beautiful. There are also other type of shidare such as shidare momo etc. All names are written in Japanese though.
Don't forget to check their opening schedules as it may be different from last year. The ticket price is also quite pricey (¥1,500) so you should be prepared.
Written April 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can red crowned cranes be seen here?
Written March 25, 2018
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