Tamagawa is a first-class river that flows through Ide Town, Tsuzuki District, Kyoto Prefecture, and was selected as one of the "100 Famous Waters of the Heisei Era" by the Ministry of the Environment.

The water flowing through the river is crystal clear and beautiful, and in spring many tourists visit to see the approximately 500 cherry trees that bloom along the 1.5 km stretch of both banks of the river.

This time, we will be providing detailed information about cherry blossom viewing at Tamagawa Embankment, where you can experience the natural beauty of spring in Japan.

What is Tamagawa?

The Tamagawa River we are introducing this time flows through Ide Town, Tsuzuki County, Kyoto Prefecture, but in Japan the word "Tamagawa" is actually used to refer to a "clear river."

For this reason, the name "Tamagawa" can be found all over Japan and is a familiar local name.

Tamagawa River in Ide Town, Tsuzuku County, Kyoto Prefecture, famous for its cherry blossoms, is one of the most famous of the "Six Tamagawa Rivers of Japan." It was a clear stream beloved by people, and has been written about in many waka poems since ancient times under the name "Ide no Tamagawa."

However, heavy rains in 1953 caused the Tamagawa River in Ide to burst its banks, and overnight the Ide Town Hall, Tamamizu Station and the surrounding areas were flooded, with many homes and precious lives lost.

Later, as the local government and residents worked together to rebuild the town and revitalize Tamagawa, they built a bank across the river and planted cherry trees, which led to the creation of the cherry blossom-lined banks of Tamagawa River, a beloved cherry blossom viewing spot.

Characteristics of the cherry blossoms along Tamagawa River

Approximately 500 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees are planted along the banks of the Tama River, which flows through Ide Town, Tsuzuki County, Kyoto Prefecture, over a distance of 1.5 km.

The cherry trees, which have grown with the hopes of local people that flooding will never happen again and with the bounty of Kyoto's abundant nature, stretch their branches out over the river and bloom, creating a magnificent pink tunnel from the bridge.

Highlight 1: Collaboration with Yamabuki

From the Nara period (early to late 8th century) to the Heian period (late 8th century to late 12th century), Ide's Tamagawa was featured in many waka poems. In particular, a poem by Ono no Komachi (a famous female poet) is famous for the line, "The color and fragrance of the Yamabuki flowers of Ide no Watari are so nostalgic, as the frogs croak," and Ide was widely known as the place for Yamabuki.

As Ide Town works to recover from the flood damage, it has also focused on restoring the scenery of Ide's yamabuki flowers, which were so beloved that they were even written about in waka poetry, and has planted around 10,000 yamabuki trees along the banks of Tamagawa River.

The best time to see the yamabuki flowers is just when the Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms begin to fall, so the contrast between the cherry blossom petals dancing in the wind and the colorful yamabuki flowers that decorate the banks is beautiful and very popular.

Highlight 2: Enjoy the cherry blossoms in a tranquil atmosphere

Ide's Tamagawa Bank is less well known among tourists than the cherry blossoms that bloom in the grounds of temples and other buildings in Kyoto City, so you can enjoy the cherry blossoms at your leisure in a uncrowded environment.

In addition, the area where the cherry trees are planted stretches over 1.5 km on both banks, so cherry blossom viewers are appropriately spread out, allowing you to enjoy the Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms in a quiet atmosphere, which is a nice feature.

In particular, we recommend descending the bank to stand right next to the river and looking up at the tunnel of cherry blossoms, a cherry blossom viewing style unique to Ide's Tamagawa bank.

Highlight 3: Cherry Blossom Festival and Illumination

The Ide Town Sakura Festival is traditionally held on the Tamagawa River banks in Ide from the last week of March to the first week of April, when the Somei-Yoshino cherry trees are in bloom.

In addition to being able to purchase local specialties and enjoy delicious cherry blossom viewing food, there will also be food stalls and a stamp rally aimed at children, so the whole family can enjoy cherry blossom viewing.

During the Cherry Blossom Festival, the cherry blossoms will be lit up at night from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., allowing you to enjoy the fantastic sight of the softly lit cherry blossoms shining on the Tamagawa River.

Cherry blossoms blooming along Tamagawa River

The Somei-Yoshino cherry trees along the Tamagawa River usually bloom around March 20th each year.

When the cherry blossoms reach their peak in about a week, the yamabuki flowers will also begin to bloom, so if you want to see the combination of cherry blossoms and yamabuki flowers, the best time to see them is early April.

Location of Tamagawa Tsutsumi

60-9 Ide Kashiwara, Ide-cho, Tsuzuki-gun, Kyoto Prefecture

Access to Tamagawa Bank

To access Tamagawa Bank in Ide, take a 40-minute paid express train from Kansai International Airport to Namba Station in Osaka Prefecture.

The closest station to Tamagawa Bank in Ide is Miyamaki Station, which is about an hour away by taking a paid express and local train from Osaka Namba Station, which is about a 10-minute walk away.

It takes about 5 to 6 minutes by taxi from Miyamaki Station to Tamagawa Embankment in Ide.

Nearby tourist attractions

Tourist Spot 1: Weeping Cherry Blossoms at Jizo Zen Temple

Jizo Zen Temple, located about a 15-minute walk from where the cherry blossom trees end, is also known as a famous spot to view weeping cherry trees.

This weeping cherry tree at Jizo Zen Temple is said to have been planted in 1727, and after about 300 years it has grown to a splendid trunk circumference of 2.4m and a height of about 10m.

It has also been designated a natural monument by Kyoto Prefecture, and many tourists visit to see the weeping cherry blossoms.

Jizo Zen Temple, located on the mountainside, offers a panoramic view of Ide Town and is known for being a place where you can enjoy the natural scenery of Kyoto.

Location of Jizo Zen Temple

Kyoto Prefecture Tsuzuki District Ide Town Ide Higashigaiuchi 16-16

Highlight 2: Ryuo Falls

Ryuo Falls, located about a 20-minute walk from Tamagawa Embankment in Ide, is a 13-meter waterfall with thread-like water cascading between rocks.

There are several small waterfalls on the way to Ryuo Falls, but Ryuo Falls in particular is a sacred waterfall that is said to enshrine the rain god, and is particularly notable for its beauty.

It is said that in the past, when there was a long period of drought, rain-making ceremonies were held at Ryuo Falls.

Location of Ryuo Falls

Taga, Ide-cho, Tsuzuki-gun, Kyoto Prefecture

Highlight 3: Ide-dera Temple Ruins

About a 10-minute walk from the Tamagawa embankment in Ide, at the foot of Jizo Zen Temple, is the former site of Ide Temple.

Ide-dera Temple was founded by a man named Tachibana Moroe, who wielded great influence under the government of Emperor Shomu during the Nara period, and the site is now developed into a temple.

It is known that the site once boasted an area of approximately 240 square meters and contained a five-story pagoda, but today it is widely known as a historic site standing in the midst of magnificent nature.

Location of Ideji Temple ruins

Nishitakatsuki, Idecho, Tsuzuku-gun, Kyoto Prefecture

summary

Ide's Tamagawa Embankment is a popular cherry blossom viewing spot where you can admire the rows of approximately 500 cherry trees that were planted to protect local people from flooding.

The contrast between the beautiful, clear river, the Somei-Yoshino cherry trees, and the Yamabuki flowers is stunning, making this the perfect place for those who want to enjoy a leisurely cherry blossom viewing experience or admire the cherry blossoms in nature.