Sakura in April and Momiji in November is quite famous as flower viewing season in Japan. What about in May? Yes, Kyoto is warmly welcoming you with another beautiful color combination of flowers and natures!
I've guided an Italian couple last week, in late May. We've enjoyed the true fresh air in a perfect weather, strolling through the cozy paths surrounded by beautiful green leaves and colorful flowers.
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I started the tour from beautiful Arashiyama area, my favorite guiding route through the year. :) This area is quite famous for its cozy local mood and beautiful scenery of mountain and riverside.
The awesome view from the main hall of Tenryuji temple (World Heritage). This garden, Sogenchi pond garden is one of the oldest garden in Japan.
You would be amazed by it's massive beauty of the landscape spreading in front of your eyes... I'm coming to this temple almost more than 40 times a year, but never felt the same... each time in different appeal.
In May you would come across such purple pretty along the pond of the garden.
Japanese Iris, I like this purple very much! elegant and gorgeous... :)
Behind the Tenryuji temple there is an awesome Bamboo forest. You would get lost for words when you come across this exotic scenery! You may feel as if you're in a movie?!
And Yes! This scenery was actually used in the famous movie, "Sayuri, Memory of a Geisha". Here is one of the Must to Visit in Kyoto! :)
Each traditional Japanese Inn has a beautiful garden with an awesome pine trees in a solemn shape.
Kinkakuji, one of the most famous tourist site in Kyoto! In May you can enjoy the nice decoration in purple along the pond garden, Mirror Lake.
From Arashiyama area, it's easy transportation heading for Kinkakuji temple. Take Randen (Keifuku) train from Arashiyama. It's not JR train, and oldest railway in Japan, feeling very local in the train. :)
Massive golden Pavilion decorated with fresh green of maple! One of the perfect color combination.
There is some islands in the pond garden. Each island was built specially, some rocks were donated to Shogun by the local feudal lords. Gold and Rock is symbol of power.
Carp enjoy a relaxing swiming.
Finally at Kiyomizu temple. Can you see the Kyoto tower in the distant? We started the tour from there!!!
Niomon entrance of Kiyomizu temple is nicely decorated with a lot of Japanese azalea in May...
I think Kiyomizu temple is the perfect area to finish the tour, because if you catch the sunset in nice timing, the silhouette of the temple is very beautiful and awesome. and the temple uniquely open until very late like 6pm or 6:30pm depending on the day. So I always arrange the Kiyomizu temple for finale.
Another reason to put Kiyomizu temple in the end is because Gion area is quite near from Kiyomizu area.
The perfect time to enjoy strolling in Gion's main street is at around 6pm to 7pm. Because if you're lucky you may come across a beautiful Maiko hurring to get to the tea house to start to work.
Kyoto Visitors? How to Process Free Guide! 
