This page provides information on the blooming of cherry blossoms, highlights, and access to Heian Jingu Shrine in Kyoto, Japan.
In early March, ume (Japanese apricot) blossoms are at their best in the “Shinen” garden, where you can enjoy their collaboration with the garden and pond. 2024, the latest video taken in 2024 is available for your viewing pleasure!
| Cherry blossom spots | Cherry blossoms at Heian Jingu Shrine (Heian J ingu no sakura) |
| Scale | About 300 trees (about 20 kinds of cherry trees, mainly benishidare-zakura) |
| Best time to see the cherry blossoms | Late March to early April |
| Lighting up | Yes (Minamishinen) |
| Hours of visitation | 6:00-17:00 |
| Admission fee | Cherry blossom illumination area is charged. |
| Location: Okazaki Nishitenno-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8341 | 97 Okazaki Nishi-tenno-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8341, Japan |
| Phone: +81-(0)75-761-0221 | 075-761-0221 |
| Official website | https://www.heianjingu.or.jp/ |
Heian Jingu Shrine was built in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the transfer of the capital to Kyoto. It is famous for its beautifully landscaped Japanese garden.
Table of Contents
Characteristics of Cherry Blossoms at Heian Jingu Shrine
- About 300 cherry trees of 20 varieties are in full bloom.
- Red weeping cherry trees are the main species.
- Fantastic nighttime illumination of the cherry blossoms
In spring, Heian Jingu Shrine is like being surrounded by a sea of clouds of cherry blossoms, creating a fantastic atmosphere.
In addition to red weeping cherry trees, visitors can also enjoy rare cherry blossoms such as the double weeping cherry tree and the Utsukinzakura cherry tree. The night time cherry blossoms are illuminated and you can enjoy different fantastic atmosphere from the daytime.
Highlights
Tunnel of red weeping cherry trees
In Minamishinen Garden, you can see a tunnel of weeping cherry trees. It is like swimming in a sea of cherry blossoms.
Usually at night, this place is illuminated.
Collaboration of the pond garden and cherry blossoms
In the Chushin-en Garden, visitors can enjoy the collaboration of the pond garden and cherry blossoms. The beauty of the cherry blossoms reflected on the surface of the water is exceptional.
Kyoto Benishidare Concert 2024 “Heian Jingu Shrine Sakura Oto Yoru” (Night of Cherry Blossoms)
The “Heian Jingu Red Shidare Concert,” which began in 1989 and has continued through the Heisei era, will be held as the new ” Heian Jingu Sakura Otoyo ” concert in 2023.
In 2024, the concert will be held from April 3 to 7.
Visitors will be able to enjoy the illumination of the weeping cherry trees in the Minami-Shinen and Higashi-Shinen Gardens and the soothing music performed on the stage in the Kihin Kan in the Higashi-Shinen Garden. There will be no seating at the venue, and visitors will be able to enjoy the music for a while by the Seiho Pond in the Higashi Shinen Garden.
The nighttime cherry blossoms and the sounds played by the artists will add color to the evening in Kyoto!
| Event | Heian Jingu Cherry Blossom Sound Night (Heian Jingu Shrine: Sakura Otoyo) |
| Place | Heian Jingu Shrine East Garden |
| Dates | April 3-7, 2024 |
| Contents | Part 1: 18:40-19:10 (Admission: 18:15-19:15) Part 2: 19:55 – 20:25 (Entrance reception: 19:35 – 20:30) |
| Attention. | *Parts 1 and 2 are completely interchangeable. There is no seating. *If you wish to see the performance at the East Shrine Garden, you must purchase an “Admission Ticket with Concert”. |
| Official website | https://pr.kyoto-np.jp/event/benishidare/ |
Summary
Heian Jingu Shrine is one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Kyoto. The shrine garden in spring with about 300 cherry trees in full bloom is truly a sight to behold. You can enjoy the cherry blossoms not only during the daytime but also at night.
Image courtesy of Cherry Blossom Pictures of Kyoto
