When & Where to Enjoy Kyoto Cherry Blossom Festivals and Events in 2024

1. Kiyomizu-dera Special Night Light-up

About 1,000 cherry trees float beautifully during the light-up at the main hall (photo by Jin Kashima)

Including Yoshino and Yamazakura varieties of cherry trees, over 1,000 cherry trees bloom at the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kiyomizu-dera.

Though most of the temple is colored pink, the “Stage of Kiyomizu”, a veranda at the main hall, has numerous cherry trees spreading out below it for a breathtakingly beautiful sight, and you can enjoy the feeling of floating in an ocean of cherry blossoms from the stage.

There are three special night viewings in spring, summer, and autumn, when the enshrined deity, the Goddess of Mercy Kannon is lit up with the streets of Kyoto like a fairytale. The lit-up cherry trees at night have an otherworldly feel completely different from daytime.

Enjoy the spring scenery of sturdy structures juxtaposed with fragile cherry blossoms from various spots (photo by Jin Kashima)

Location & Access
・Within the grounds of Kiyomizu-dra
・From JR Kyoto station or Keihan Railway Gion-Shijo station, take a bus to Gojozaka and alight, and walk for ten minutes

Event Dates and Times
・March 23, 2024 to March 31, 2024
・6 PM to 9:30 PM (Last admission at 9 PM)

Event information
・Cherry blossom illumination, etc.
・Admission fee: Adults 400 yen

Best time to see cherry blossoms
・Late March to early April

2. Kōdai-ji Spring Special Night Light-up

The Hōjō Garden and Shidare cherry blossoms of Kōdai-ji are stunning both in the day and at night

During the cherry blossom season, the grounds of Kōdai-ji in the Higashiyama district, including the remains of the former Buddhist hall in Kōdai-ji Teien gardens, will be completely lit-up (last entry at 9:30 PM, closed at 10 PM).

The Hōjō Garden and Hashintei Garden is filled with the light pink colors of the large Shidare cherry tree that is over 70 years old, and together with the lines in the white sand, is a famous and popular spot for photos.

The special spring night-time light-up takes place in Hashintei Garden, and with the theme of “Kameha Asobu Bandai Mirai”, which invokes the longevity of a turtle welcoming countless springs in the future, exciting installations in line with the theme are set up.

Besides this, in the east end of Kōdai-ji Teien gardens, you can see reflections of rhododendrons and green maples leaves in the calm water of the Garyōchi pond, for a mystic atmosphere. During this time, a special exhibition of up-and-coming female artists is also being held in the temple museum.

The water surface of the Garyōchi is lit up, and like a mirror it reflects the fresh young leaves of spring like a fantasy

Location & Access
・Grounds of Kōdai-ji
・Take a bus from JR Kyoto Station, alight at Higashiyama Yasui and walk for seven minutes

Event Dates and Times
・March 15, 2024 to May 6, 2024
・5 PM to 10 PM (Last admission at 9:30 PM)

Event information
・Cherry blossom illumination, “Female Authors: Beauty Collaboration,” etc.
・Admission fee: Adults 600 yen (includes admission to Kodaiji Sho Museum of Art)

Best time to see cherry blossoms
・Late March to early April

3. Chion-in Spring Light-up 2024 (Special evening illumination)

The Yuzen-en garden was renovated in 1954 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Miyazaki Yuzen

Chion-in, with its gigantic 24-meter-tall Sanmon Gate, is a designated national treasure of Japan. From Kachōzan, a mountain that sits between the Higashiyama and Yamashina wards, to Higashi-ōjidōri, you can see a large swath of cherry trees lined up, and enjoy the cherry trees in the area around the Sanmon gate, including at the Yuzen-en garden and the mausoleum.

Every spring, Chion-in hosts a “Spring Light-Up” event. In 2024, this will include the illumination of several significant sites: the Yuzen-en Garden, of Miyazaki Yuzen, the founder of Kyo-Yuzen kimono dyeing technique; Japan’s largest wooden two-storied gate, the Sanmon Gate; and the Great Bell Tower, famous for its New Year’s Eve bell ringing.

Location & Access
・Chion-in, Yuzen-en, Sanmon, Mikagedō, Hōjō Garden (one part)
・Eight-minute walk from Subway Higashiyama station

Event Dates and Times
・March 23, 2024 to April 3, 2024
・5:45 PM to 9:30 PM (Last admission at 9 PM)

Event information
・Cherry blossom illumination, etc.
・Spring Illumination 2024 at Chion-in Temple: Admission fee – Adults 800 yen, Elementary and middle school students 400 yen

Best time to see cherry blossoms
・Late March to mid-April

4. Tō-ji Spring Special Opening

With a height of thirteen meters and branches spreading ten meters across, the huge Fujizakura cherry tree creates a brilliant scene with the pagoda

Tō-ji, a UNESCO world heritage site. Within the grounds are around 200 Yoshino and Kawazu cherry trees, and it prides itself as one of the more famous cherry blossom sites in Kyoto, and amongst these is a Yaebenishidare cherry tree called “Fuji-zakura”, which is exceptionally beautiful.

The combination of the 54.8-meter tall five-story pagoda constructed from wood, the tallest in Japan, together with the sight of the flowers, gives a feeling that is very much like Kyoto.

During the cherry blossom season in spring, there is a night cherry blossom light-up, and besides special night visits to the prayer halls, during the day, the first floor of the pagoda will be open to the public, so do make use of the chance to see exclusive scenery and special openings.

Location & Access
・Grounds of Tō-ji
・Ten-minute walk from Kintetsu Tōji station

Event Dates and Times
・Night Cherry Blossom Illumination: March 16, 2024 to April 14, 2024
・6 PM to 9:30 PM (Last admission at 9 PM)

Event information
・Night cherry blossom illumination, special nighttime viewing of Kondo and Lecture Hall, special opening of the first floor of the Five-storied Pagoda, Treasures Hall: “The Rise and Fall of To-ji Temple in the Era of the Northern and Southern Dynasties,” etc.
・Admission fee varies by facility (Night Cherry Blossom Illumination: Adults 1,000 yen, Middle school students and below 500 yen)

Best time to see cherry blossoms
・Mid-March to mid-April

5. Nijō Castle: Nijō Castle Cherry Blossom Festival 2023

Projection mapping on the Karamon gate, an important cultural property

At Nijō Castle, one of Kyoto’s world heritage sites, there are 300 trees of 50 varieties of cherry blossoms, from early to late bloomers, starting from Kanhizakura, followed by Yoshino, Yamazakura, and Shidarezakura, amongst many kinds of cherry blossoms.

One draw of Nijō Castle is the Nijō Castle Cherry Blossom Festival, which has different events taking place, from night projection mapping of the important cultural property, the Karamon gate, where you can feel the rich history of the space, to the light-up of the cherry blossoms, inviting you to a fantasy world.

Projection mapping is also done on the castle walls

Location & Access
・Nijō Castle Information Desk
・Right next to Subway Nijojo-mae station

Event Dates and Times
・March 8, 2024 to April 7, 2024
・8:45 AM to 4 PM (Castle closes at 5 PM), Illumination: 6 PM to 9 PM (Castle closes at 10 PM)

Event information
・Exhibition of Kyoto specialties, food trucks, Ikebana displays, cultural experience events, nighttime illumination including projection mapping onto historical buildings by Naked Inc.
・Admission fee: Daytime – General 1,300 yen (includes admission to Ninomaru Goten Palace) *Additional fees may apply depending on the event. Nighttime Illumination (Early Bird): General 1,600 yen, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays: General 2,000 yen, Special days: 2,400 yen
* Regular viewing and illumination have separate admissions.

Best time to see cherry blossoms
・Late March to mid-April

6. Kyoto Botanical Gardens Cherry Blossom Light-up

The Yoshino cherry trees which bloom at the end of March make for a stunning grove of cherries

The Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Garden showcases and cultivates approximately 12,000 species of plants from both Japan and overseas. In spring, from early March with the blooming of the Kawazu cherry trees to late April with the Kikuzakura, visitors can enjoy over 170 varieties and about 500 cherry trees for more than a month. The grand weeping cherry trees in the large grass plaza are particularly magnificent, with their elegant and splendid appearance.

Every year, during the peak blooming period, the garden hosts a “Cherry Blossom Light-Up” event (scheduled for March 23 to April 7, 2024). Additionally, from early April to early May each year, the garden extends its opening hours for the spring season, allowing visitors to enjoy cherry blossom viewing at a more leisurely pace than usual.

Location & Access
・Kyoto Botanical Gardens, cherry tree grove, etc.
・Right next to Subway Kitayama station

Event Dates and Times
・March 23, 2024 to April 7, 2024
・From sunset to 9 PM (Last entry at 8 PM)

Event information
・Annual cherry blossom illumination, extended opening hours, Satoyama Cherry Blossom Exhibition, Bulb Begonia Exhibition, etc.
・Admission fee: General 200 yen

Best time to see cherry blossoms
・Early March to late April

7. Hirano Shrine Cherry Blossom Festival

The formal-looking shrine hall is a match for the cherry trees dotted with gentle flowers

Having welcomed worshippers for over 1,200 years is Hirano Shrine, which has been known as the shrine for cherry trees since olden times, and currently, there are 400 trees of 60 varieties on the shrine grounds.

Starting from Sakigakezakura, other varieties include Kochō, Ichō, Nezame, Gyoikō, and the Kinugasa, which was bred at Hirano Shrine, and with so many varieties, one special point of the shrine is that you can enjoy the flowers over a long period of time.

Every year during the cherry blossom season, a Cherry Blossom Festival will be held with a religious parade featuring elaborate period costumes. In 2024, there will be an illumination event in the evenings from March 23 until April 14.

During the light-up, the glow of paper lanterns and lamps lights up the cherry trees

Location & Access
・Within Hirano Shrine
・Seven-minute walk from Keifuku Electric Railroad Kitanohakubaicho station

Event Dates and Times
・Sakura Festival: April 10, 2024
・Illumination: March 23, 2024 to April 14, 2024 from sunset to around 9 PM

Event information
・Cherry blossom illumination, etc.
・Admission is free

Best time to see cherry blossoms
・Mid-March to late April

8. Heian Shrine Benishidare Concert

To see the dream-like cherry blossom light-up in the shrine garden, please wait to enjoy them next year

With the pond as its center, you can take a stroll around Chisenkaiyūshiki-Teien, admiring the tiny island in the pond, bridges, and famous rocks carefully arranged to recreate famous sceneries, in the shrine garden of Heian Shrine.

The beauty of the Benishidare cherry blossoms in spring is lauded by the famous Japanese writer Tanizaki Junichiro in his story, “Sasameyuki”, and it is famously known as the number one spot for cherry blossoms in Kyoto to enjoy the flowers.

The South Shrine Garden and East Shrine Garden have Benishidare cherry trees lit-up (April 3-7 in 2024), and the Benishidare Concert is held in the guest hall in the East Shrine gardens.

Location & Access
・Heain Shrine Shrine Gardens
・Ten-minute walk from Subway Higashiyama station

Event Dates and Times
・April 3, 2024 to April 7, 2024

Event information
・Cherry blossom illumination, concerts, etc.
・Ticket Prices: Advance tickets 3,000 yen, On the day 4,000 yen

Best time to see cherry blossoms
・Early to mid-April

Kyoto offers a plethora of cherry blossom events in famous locations to appreciate the beauty of spring. Why not indulge in Kyoto’s magnificent cherry blossom world this year?

(*Prices include tax. Article updated Feb 2024 based on Mar 2021 interviews and photos. Cherry blossom bloom timing and event details subject to change.)

Text by: Efeel