Cherry blossoms are blooming here and there in Kyoto. In the midst of all this, the annual "Nijo Castle Cherry Blossom Festival" is being held in Kyoto again this year. It is known for its many tricks that attract not only tourists but also locals. In this issue, we will introduce the history of Nijo Castle, a World Heritage Site, as well as information on the points of interest and events to keep in mind.
Table of Contents
- About Nijo Castle
- Cherry blossoms at Nijo Castle
- Nijo Castle Cherry Blossom Festival
About Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu to guard the Kyoto Imperial Palace, where the emperor resided, and to provide lodging for the shogun during his visits to Kyoto, and was extensively renovated by Iemitsu. It is well known as the site of the Grand Council of State, isn't it?
In 1994, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Cherry blossoms at Nijo Castle
There are about 300 cherry trees of about 50 varieties planted in the castle, including double-stemmed weeping cherry trees, Somei Yoshino cherry trees (late March to early April), mountain cherry trees (late March to early April), Oshima cherry trees, village cherry trees, and Edohigan cherry trees (late March to mid April), etc. It is nice to see several kinds of cherry trees in one place!
Nijo Castle Cherry Blossom Festival
And the Sakura Festival has started again this year. During the festival, at night, the cherry blossoms are lit up and there is projection mapping that takes advantage of the historical space.
After completing the reception, visitors can borrow lanterns, allowing them to stroll around as if they have stepped back in time (depending on availability, visitors may have to wait to borrow the lanterns).
The projection mapping on the Karamon Gate, an important cultural property, is filled with an ethereal atmosphere that makes you want to watch it over and over again.
The projection mapping of cherry blossoms on the 140-meter-long stone wall on the east side of the inner moat, which is the largest ever, is on a grand scale!
In addition, special effects that can only be seen in the rain, such as the mapped images changing according to the weather, will also make their first appearance. This year's event will also feature participatory content such as cherry blossom art and a quiz rally to find out which of the 50 varieties of cherry blossoms in Nijo Castle is "my cherry blossom" for you.
A fantastic world that can only be seen at Nijo Castle during this season. Why not come and experience it for yourself?
Nijo Castle Cherry Blossom Festival
The timing of the event varies each year, so please check the official website for details.
