Table of Contents
Cherry Blossoms at Gion Shirakawa
Basic Information
| Cherry blossom spot | Gion Shirakawa River |
| Best time to see the cherry blossoms | Late March – Early April |
| Number of cherry trees | About 40 cherry trees (Someiyoshino, weeping cherry, mountain cherry, and sato cherry) |
| Hours of operation | 24 hours |
| Admission fee | Free of charge |
| Lighting up | Yes |
| Parking lot | No parking |
| Location: Motoyoshi-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 605-0087, Japan | Shirakawa-suji, Motoyoshi-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 605-0087, Japan |
Features and Highlights
- Emotional Kyoto machiya houses line the riverside
- Illuminated cherry blossoms create a fantastic atmosphere
- Expect to cross paths with geiko and maiko
- A photogenic spot that looks great on Instagram
The rows of cherry trees along the Gion Shirakawa River stretch from Kawabata Dori at Shirakawa Minami Dori to Tatsumi Bridge. Pale pink Someiyoshino cherry trees and weeping cherry trees are reflected on the surface of the river, creating an emotional scene.
Cherry blossoms illuminated by lights are different. The pink of the cherry blossoms floating in the dark night is fantastic, and the light reflected on the river surface illuminates the water. The stone pavements and teahouses along the river are also illuminated, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of Kyoto’s nighttime cherry blossoms.
If you encounter a maiko, refrain from pointing your camera at her.
Event Information
Cherry Blossoms Light Up at Night
Every year, from late March to early April, the cherry blossoms are lit up at night from 18:00 to 22:00.
In 2024, the event is scheduled to run from Thursday, March 30 to Saturday, April 8.
During this period, the cherry blossoms around Tatsumi Bridge will be lit up and lanterns will be placed along the street. Visitors can fully enjoy the atmosphere of Kyoto while strolling through the cherry blossoms at night.
The fantastic nighttime cherry blossoms can be viewed free of charge.
How to access
- Get off at Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Railway and walk 3 minutes.
- 5 minutes on foot from Shijo Station on the Keihan Railway Line
- 3 minutes on foot from Kyoto Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Railway)
- 5 minutes on foot from Gion bus stop
- City Bus “Shijo Kawaramachi” stop, 10 min. walk
Popular nearby spots
Maruyama Park
About 10 minutes walk from Gion Shirakawa. Approximately 680 cherry trees are in full bloom, and the weeping cherry trees are especially famous.
Kamo River
About a 5-minute walk from Gion Shirakawa River. Someiyoshino cherry trees line both banks of the river and visitors can enjoy viewing cherry blossoms while strolling along the banks of the Kamo River.
Takase River
About a 15-minute walk from Gion Shirakawa River. The cherry trees along the river are illuminated, creating a fantastic atmosphere.
Conclusion
Gion Shirakawa is one of the most emotional spots among the famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Kyoto. The fantastic scenery of illuminated cherry trees offers a special springtime experience.
We hope you will enjoy the evening cherry blossom viewing at Gion Shirakawa to experience Kyoto’s chic atmosphere.
