FebruaryBaikasai (Plum Blossom Festival)
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
Every year on February 25 (outdoor tea ceremony 10:00–15:00)
Every year on February 25 (Feb 25 in 2027)
Cherry Blossoms · Kansai
Maruyama Park (Gion Shidare-zakura)
Kyoto CityPark🌸 Typical peak: Late Mar – Early Apr✦ Night sakura
Overview
Overview
Spreading east of Yasaka Shrine, this is Kyoto City’s oldest park, opened in 1886, and is designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty. The weeping cherry at its center, the “Gion Shidare-zakura,” is the park’s symbol, and its night illumination has long been loved as the “night sakura of Gion.”
- Address
- 473 Maruyama-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, and surrounding area
- Official website
- https://www.city.kyoto.lg.jp/kensetu/page/0000351439.html
Tours & tickets for this areaPR
Peak Time
When to See the Blossoms
Typical peakUsually late March to early April
February
March
April
May
Bloom dates shift with each year’s temperatures. Check the “Sakura Dayori” bloom reports on Kyoto Kanko Navi for the latest conditions
Peak times are typical guides. Blooming and full bloom shift with each year’s temperatures.
Highlights
Highlights
The park has about 700 cherry trees, including yamazakura and Somei-yoshino. The central weeping cherry is the second generation: after the original tree, a National Natural Monument, died, a tree grown from its seeds was planted in the same spot in 1949. At peak bloom it is illuminated at night, and the sight of it glowing in the dark is the highlight.
📷 Best views
Gion Shidare-zakura
The weeping cherry at the center of the park, illuminated at night
Yamazakura and Somei-yoshino in the park
About 700 trees throughout the park
Illumination
Night illumination
- Period
- Usually while the weeping cherry is at its peak
In 2026, held Mar 24–Apr 8, 18:00–22:00 (Kyoto City). The bonfires are canceled on days with dry-air or strong-wind advisories
Admission
Admission
Park entryFree
Prices may change. Check the official website before you go.
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓The park management encourages hanami while strolling rather than sitting down for parties
- ✓Just east of Yasaka Shrine, it’s easy to combine with a walk around Gion
Access
Getting there
- Nearest station / bus stop
- Gion (Kyoto City Bus)
- Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Main Line)
- Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Kyoto Line)
Crowds
Crowds & best times
- Busiest
- On evenings at peak bloom, crowds tend to gather around the weeping cherry
Weather
Temperature & what to wear
- Typical temperatures
- Kyoto normals: March high 14.1°C, low 4.3°C; April high 20.1°C, low 9.2°C (JMA)
- What to wear & bring
- It gets cold during night sakura hours, so bring a heavy jacket or a stole
Rules
Hanami rules & etiquette
- !No saving spots by spreading out blue tarps or similar sheets
- !No barbecues or tents
- !Take your trash home
- !Do not break cherry branches or tie omikuji fortunes or other items to the trees
Facilities
Facilities
- Toilets
- Available in the park (including a historic public toilet near Bentendo)
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Maruyama Park (Gion Shidare-zakura)PR
PR9.2リッチモンドホテルプレミア 京都四条
★★★★Check rates on Agoda15,007 reviews2.6 km from center
PR9.4クロスホテル京都 (ORIX HOTELS & RESORTS)
★★★★Check rates on Agoda10,416 reviews1.3 km from center
PR9.2京王プレリアホテル 京都烏丸五条
★★★★Check rates on Agoda10,583 reviews2.2 km from center
PR9.2御宿野乃 京都七条 天然温泉
★★★★Check rates on Agoda10,151 reviews2.5 km from center
PR9.0ホテル エルシエント 京都八条口
★★★★Check rates on Agoda12,369 reviews3.0 km from center
PR9.2ダイワロイネットホテル京都駅前PREMIER
★★★★Check rates on Agoda9,932 reviews2.7 km from center
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Events
Events & festivals in Kyoto City
February
MayAoi Matsuri
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
Every year on May 15 (postponed to the 16th if it rains; if it also rains on the 16th, the procession is canceled). Preliminary rites such as Yabusame horseback archery (May 3) and the Saio-dai purification ceremony (May 4) are held in early May
2027: May 15 (held every year on May 15; postponed to the 16th if it rains)
May–OctoberNoryo Yuka / Kawadoko (Kamogawa & Kibune)
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
Kamogawa Noryo Yuka usually runs May 1 – October 15, and Kibune Kawadoko usually runs May 1 – September 30 (season and hours vary by restaurant). In 2026, Kamogawa Noryo Yuka runs until October 15
JulyGion Matsuri
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
Usually July 1–31 (Yamahoko procession: Saki Matsuri July 17, Ato Matsuri July 24; Yoiyama eves: Saki Matsuri July 14–16, Ato Matsuri July 21–23)
AugustGozan Okuribi (Kyoto Five Mountains Bonfires)
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
Every year on August 16 (from 20:00)
2027: Aug 16 (Mon)
OctoberJidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages)
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
Every year on October 22 (postponed to the 23rd if it rains)
2026: Oct 22 (Thu). Postponed to Oct 23 if it rains
Attractions
Attractions in Kyoto City
AquariumKyoto Aquarium
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
An inland aquarium in Umekoji Park, within walking distance of Kyoto Station. Its exhibits explore Kyoto's waterside nature and how it connects, from the "Kyoto River" to the "Kyoto Sea." With a dolphin stadium and jellyfish displays, it's an easy stop between Kyoto sightseeing spots.
ZooKyoto City Zoo
Kansai ・ Okazaki, Kyoto
A city-run zoo inside Okazaki Park, home to Heian Shrine and several art museums. In its compact grounds you can see elephants, gorillas, and wild animals from Kyoto's forests. Admission is free for junior high students and younger, and just ¥750 for adults.
ExperienceNintendo Museum
Kansai ・ Uji
A museum in Uji, Kyoto, that displays Nintendo's products through the years and lets you play hands-on exhibits. Tickets are date- and time-specific and must be reserved in advance, through a monthly lottery or first-come, first-served sales of slots that open up. If you want to include it in your itinerary, applying from the lottery 3 months before your visit is the surest way.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendlyAdvance, date-specific tickets required
Theme parkUZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE
Kansai ・ Uzumasa
Toei Kyoto Studio Park, a samurai-drama theme park that opened in 1975, reopened on March 28, 2026 as UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE after the first phase of its renewal. It is now an immersive park for adults built around the concept of wandering into Kyoto in the Edo period, with the second phase scheduled to open in spring 2027. It stays open until 21:00.
Cherry Blossoms
Cherry Blossoms in Kansai
RiversideShukugawa Park (Shukugawa Riverside Green Space)
Kansai ・ Nishinomiya, Hyogo
🌸 Typical peak: Late Mar – Early Apr
✦ Night sakura
Park
Temple
Castle
Mountain
Castle
Avenue & old town
Shrine
Temple
Mountain
LakePeak periods, hours, prices and access are based on official sources such as the spot’s own website, local governments and tourism associations. Bloom conditions and event details can change, so check the official website before you go.
Last checked: 2026-10-06
