Cherry blossoms in Kyoto, if you are not sure where to go! 2023 recommended spots for cherry blossom festivals

Kyoto in spring is famous for its cherry blossoms, and if you are planning a trip to Kyoto in March or April, you are probably thinking, "I want to see the cherry blossoms in Kyoto! If you are planning a trip to Kyoto in March or April, you are probably thinking, "I want to see the cherry blossoms in Kyoto!

So, among the many famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Kyoto, we would like to introduce two spots that are especially recommended for their cherry blossom festivals.

Table of Contents

Hirano Shrine

Nijo Castle

■Which would you rather go see, the good old cherry blossom festival or the new age cherry blossom festival?

Hirano Shrine

Hirano Shrine is located in Kita-ku, Kyoto. Originally enshrined in the Heijo-kyo Capital in Nara, the shrine was moved to its present location in 794 when the capital was relocated to Heian-kyo.
To get there, take the Keifuku Kitano Kitano Line and get off at Kitano Shiraume-cho Station, a 10-minute walk. Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is also located near Hirano Shrine, making it a perfect place for a shrine tour.

Hirano Shrine is home to 400 cherry trees of about 60 varieties. The earliest blooming cherry trees are the Sakigake, which are at their best from mid to late March.
Some varieties of cherry trees are at their best from mid to late April, so you may be able to see the cherry trees in bloom on the temple grounds during your trip to Kyoto during Golden Week.

The Cherry Blossom Festival at Hirano Shrine is held annually on April 10.
It is said that the festival originated in the Heian period (794-1185) when Emperor Hanayama made a procession to Hirano Shrine. On the day of the festival, there will be a parade that goes around Hirano Shrine, Kinkakuji Temple, and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.

Facility Name:Hirano Shrine
Address: 1 Hiranomiyamoto-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto, 603-8322, Japan
Phone: 075-461-4450

HP:https://www.hiranojinja.com/home

Nijo Castle

In 1601, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the lords of western Japan to build Nijo Castle, which was completed in 1603.
The castle is dotted here and there with stately buildings, including the Ninomaru Palace, a national treasure.
There are three major garden areas with a lot to see and do.

There are 300 cherry trees of about 50 varieties planted in the castle grounds of Nijo Castle.
The approximate time of blooming depends on the variety, but usually the cherry trees can be seen in bloom from late March to late April. Please try to take pictures of the Ninomaru Palace and the cherry trees together.

Nijo Castle holds the annual Nijo Castle Cherry Blossom Festival, which features nighttime lighting and projection mapping.
In 2023, to commemorate the relocation of the Agency for Cultural Affairs to Kyoto, the event will also include an exhibition of Kyoto's specialty products and cultural experiences.
Advance tickets, which can be purchased at convenience stores or on the Internet, offer a better price than the day-of-entry ticket.

Facility Name:Nijo Castle (Nijo Castle, Nijo Castle)
Address: 541 Nijojo-machi, Nijo-dori Horikawa-nishiiru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8301, Japan
Phone: 075-841-0096

HP:https://nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp/

■Which do you want to see, the good old cherry blossom festival or the new age cherry blossom festival?

In this issue, we introduced the cherry blossom festivals at Hirano Shrine and Nijo Castle.
Hirano Shrine is a good old-fashioned cherry blossom festival with a history dating back to the Heian period, while Nijo Castle has the atmosphere of a new-age cherry blossom festival with projection mapping.

Both are fascinating events where you can experience the beauty of cherry blossoms, so it is hard to decide which one to go see.
There are many cherry blossom viewing spots throughout Kyoto City. Please visit the spot you think is "the one".