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
Nijo-jo Castle
Kyoto CityCastle🌸 Typical peak: Early Apr✦ Night sakura
Overview
Overview
A World Heritage castle in central Kyoto. The grounds have about 300 cherry trees of about 50 varieties, and during the spring “Nijo-jo Castle Sakura Festival” the night sakura are illuminated.
- Address
- 541 Nijojo-cho, Nijo-dori Horikawa Nishi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8301
- Closed
- Dec 29–31 (Ninomaru Palace and Honmaru Palace have additional closure days)
- Time needed
- About 1 hour to 1 hour 30 min for the Ninomaru Palace and gardens
- Official website
- https://nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp/
Tours & tickets for this areaPR
PRKlookKyoto 1-Day Highlights Tour with Nijo-jo Castle TicketGuided day bus tour from Kyoto Station visiting the Arashiyama bamboo grove, Kinkakuji Temple, Nijo-jo Castle, Kiyomizudera Temple and Fushimi Inari Taisha. Plans with tickets included availableView on Klook- PRKlookKyoto Morning Sightseeing Tour (from Kyoto/Osaka)Half-day tour accompanied by a licensed English-speaking national guide, visiting Nijo-jo Castle (Ninomaru Palace), Kinkakuji Temple and the Kyoto Imperial PalaceView on Klook
Peak Time
When to See the Blossoms
Typical peakUsually early April
March
April
May
According to Nijo-jo Castle, yamazakura and Somei-yoshino usually peak in late March to early April, and weeping cherries in late March to mid-April. Bloom dates shift with each year’s temperatures
Peak times are typical guides. Blooming and full bloom shift with each year’s temperatures.
Highlights
Highlights
With many varieties, including yamazakura, Somei-yoshino, weeping cherry and double-flowered yaezakura, the trees bloom in turn from late March to around mid-April. The Seiryu-en garden and the area near the West Gate are especially impressive. You can enjoy the blossoms along with a visit to the Ninomaru Palace, a National Treasure.
📷 Best views
Seiryu-en
Cherry blossoms in a garden blending Japanese and Western styles
Near the West Gate
One of the areas with the most cherry trees in the castle grounds
Around the Ninomaru Palace
The National Treasure palace together with cherry blossoms
Illumination
Night illumination
- Period
- Usually during the spring “Nijo-jo Castle Sakura Festival”
In 2026: Mar 19–Apr 19, 18:00–22:00 (last entry 21:00). Day and night visits are separate, with a separate evening fee (varies by date)
Hours
Opening hours
Regular8:45–17:00
Last entry 16:00
Hours can change during the cherry blossom season and for events. Check the official website before you go.
Admission
Admission
Admission (including Ninomaru Palace)Adults ¥1,300, junior high and high school students ¥400, elementary school students ¥300
Daytime prices during the 2026 sakura festival. Free for preschool children
Prices may change. Check the official website before you go.
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓Daytime and evening illumination visits are separate, so even if you visited during the day you need a new ticket for the evening
Access
Getting there
- Nearest station / bus stop
- Nijojo-mae Station (Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line)
- From major stations & airports
- Kyoto Station: Subway to Nijojo-mae Station (About 15 min)
- By car & traffic restrictions
- Parking Lot 1 (120 cars, ¥600 per 40 min, max ¥1,800 per day) and others. Public transportation is more convenient
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
- You’ll walk a long way on gravel paths inside the castle, so wear comfortable shoes. Night sakura viewing is cold, so bring a jacket
Rules
Hanami rules & etiquette
- !Tripods and selfie sticks are prohibited throughout the grounds
- !No photography inside the Ninomaru Palace or Honmaru Palace
- !No drones or open flames
- !Eating and drinking only in designated places such as rest areas. Take your trash home
- !Only assistance dogs are allowed
Facilities
Facilities
- Toilets
- Multipurpose toilets at the Nishibashi rest area, the Seiryu-en rest area and the east side of the Green Garden
- Accessibility
- Free wheelchair loans (limited number, no reservations). Some places have no ramps
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Nijo-jo CastlePR
PR9.2リッチモンドホテルプレミア 京都四条
★★★★Check rates on Agoda15,007 reviews1.3 km from center
PR9.4クロスホテル京都 (ORIX HOTELS & RESORTS)
★★★★Check rates on Agoda10,416 reviews2.1 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 reviews2.0 km from center
PR9.2相鉄フレッサイン 京都四条烏丸
★★★★Check rates on Agoda8,848 reviews1.6 km from center
PR9.1ホテルグレイスリー京都三条
★★★★Check rates on Agoda8,981 reviews1.9 km from center
PR9.2ソラリア西鉄ホテル京都プレミア 三条鴨川
★★★★Check rates on Agoda7,988 reviews2.1 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
ParkMaruyama Park (Gion Shidare-zakura)
Kansai ・ Kyoto City
🌸 Typical peak: Late Mar – Early Apr
✦ Night sakura
Castle
Mountain
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