6 Cherry Blossom Afternoon Teas in Kyoto, an Elegant and Hands-on Experience of Spring

The cherry blossoms will soon be at their best in Kyoto. The long-awaited cherry blossom viewing season has arrived. Since we are here, how about enjoying afternoon tea at a hotel lounge to feel the arrival of spring with a little elegance? The Voyage Japan editorial staff has carefully selected some of the best cherry blossom afternoon teas in Kyoto for you to enjoy.

The Shinmonzen ; Cherry blossom afternoon tea surrounded by the fragrance of spring

The Shinmonzen, a luxury boutique hotel quietly located beside the Gion Shirakawa River on Shinmonzen Street, where the beauty of the ancient capital of Kyoto still remains, has launched a cherry blossom-themed afternoon tea in spring.

Cherry blossoms take center stage at The Shinmonzen for a special spring afternoon tea that captures their beauty and fragility. A selection of seasonal pastries, freshly baked scones, and delicate finger sandwiches reflect the tradition and quality of our commitment, and together with carefully selected tea leaves, create a time to celebrate the arrival of spring.

NOOH, a non-alcoholic wine recently launched by Château La Coste, a winery in the south of France owned by the owner of The Shinmonzen, will be served as a welcome drink.

Why don’ t you spend an elegant Kyoto spring afternoon in the quiet and refined setting of “The Shinmonzen,” where taste and elegance are the order of the day?

MUNI KYOTO ; Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea with a special seat on the Togetsukyo Bridge

At MUNI KYOTO by Onko Chishin, a small luxury hotel in Arashiyama, Kyoto, you can enjoy the cherry blossom afternoon tea with the nature of Arashiyama at “MUNI LA TERRASSE”. The event will be held until Sunday, April 13, 2025.

In addition to spring-like cherry blossom and strawberry desserts, sweets using chocolate from “Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse ”will also be available.

Why not spend an elegant moment at a “special seat” overlooking the Togetsukyo Bridge and Katsura River with a spectacular view of Arashiyama, savoring it with all your senses?

Six Senses Kyoto ; First Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea after opening

Six Senses Kyoto, a natural luxury resort, started Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea on Thursday, March 20 at the seasonal dining restaurant “Sekki”. The menu changes every Sekki, every two weeks, and is available until Thursday, April 3.

In addition to sakura mochi and santonore, cherry blossoms are used in scones and homemade strawberry jam to express the full-fledged arrival of spring. For savory dishes, you can also enjoy a variety of spring flavors such as bamboo shoots, Spanish mackerel, and butterbur sprouts. Another key point is that the afternoon tea menu is all gluten-free!

Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto ; “Cherry Blossom Banquet Afternoon Tea” celebrates the arrival of spring

Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto is currently holding “Cherry Blossom Banquet Afternoon Tea” until Thursday May 8.

The five sweets are spring-like menu items that incorporate cherry blossoms and seasonal strawberries. “Cherry Bliss Mousse” combines cherry compote and cheese mousse to create a flavor reminiscent of cherry blossom rice cakes. The “Sakura Roll Cake” uses sweet and sour strawberry confiture and cherry-scented cream to create a fluffy texture with the flavor of cherry blossoms.

The savory lineup includes four types of green-toned dishes that evoke the breath of spring. The “Salmon and Asparagus Roll” is made with matcha green tea sponge dough and topped with cherry blossom powder for a spring-like flavor. The “Foie Gras Mousse” is served with green apple jelly, adding a refreshing accent to the rich flavor.

For drinks, guests can enjoy a free flow of Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto original tea blends, premium tea selections from the British premium tea brand “JING TEA” and coffee as much as they like.

How about spending an elegant moment to feel the coming of spring with all five senses while admiring the 800-year-old Japanese garden “Sekisuien”?

Elegant Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea at The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto is holding an afternoon tea at the Lobby Lounge focusing on cherry blossoms, which remind us of the heart-warming arrival of spring.

Another important point of the afternoon tea by Pierre Hermé Paris is the “Jardin Japonais” cake expressing the flavor of cherry blossoms, which can be enjoyed only at The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, the only hotel in Kansai with a Pierre Hermé Paris boutique in the hotel.

The exquisite harmony of tonka beans, lemon, and griotte cherries will remind you of the coming of spring. Why not enjoy an elegant moment with our special scones scented with the flavor of cherry blossoms?

This afternoon tea can also be enjoyed as to-go. (5,940 yen (tax and service charge not included) *Limited to 10 sets per day – until Wednesday, April 16, 2025)

Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto ; Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea to enjoy in the mood of cherry blossom viewing

Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto, the flagship brand of the Banyan Group, one of the world’s leading independent hospitality groups, is currently offering “Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea” at the 3rd floor Kappo Restaurant Ryozen until Thursday April 10, 2025 .

The “Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea” features cherry blossom-themed sweets and savories. The “Sakura Chocolate,” made by soaking cherry leaves in cream overnight to extract the aroma of cherry blossoms and finishing with cherry blossom powder, is an item that allows you to feel the cherry blossoms in your mouth through both the sense of taste and smell.

Inspired by the traditional Japanese rice stacked in a box, which is essential for cherry-blossom viewing, the rice stacked in a box is filled with spring-inspired savories such as “Sakuraebi no Kakiage” (deep-fried sakura shrimps), whose delicate sweetness and fragrance will whet your appetite.

In addition, “Kyo Namafu Kushiyaki” using Kyoto ingredients is also available again! Grill the fu yourself using a shichirin, and enjoy its savory aroma while savoring the taste of spring.

Also, a special black tea with the fragrance of yaezakura, a symbol of spring in Japan is available. “Yaezakura Tea“ is a black tea from ”7T+ (Seventy-Plus)” born in Kyoto City and contains no artificial flavors and is caffeine-free. You can enjoy the mellow aroma and delicate flavor of yaezakura, which gently whispers the arrival of spring.

Why don’t you spend a special moment at the Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto, where you will be surrounded by the fragrance of cherry blossoms while viewing the Noh stage as spring arrives?

Enjoy the spring in Kyoto with an elegant afternoon tea.

Kyoto is famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms. Why not enjoy the elegant spring in Kyoto with a luxurious hotel afternoon tea?