Maruyama Park is the oldest park in the city and lies at the base of Kyoto’s eastern mountains next to Yasaka Shrine. It is the perfect place to sit and rest after touring the sights of the Higashiyama area and contains stroll gardens, rest houses, orchards and even restaurants.

The park is at its best in early April during cherry blossom season, when crowds of people gather for blossom-viewing parties under the trees. The park’s centrepiece is a glorious old weeping cherry tree, which when covered in blossom and lit up at night is a breathtakingly beautiful sight.