Cherry blossoms are an essential part of the spring scenery in Japan. Many people choose to visit Japan during the cherry blossom season to enjoy the scenery. While it is nice to visit famous cherry blossom viewing spots during the daytime, the fantastic scenery of cherry blossoms illuminated at night is also very tasteful.

This article introduces spots in Kyoto and Hyogo where cherry blossoms are illuminated at night.

As of mid-February, the bloom forecast is normal for this time of year.
Osaka: Blooming around March 24-25, peak bloom around April 2-3
Kyoto: Blooming around March 24-25

*Please note that the admission fees and charges for viewing cherry blossoms illuminated at night may differ from the regular admission fees and charges.

Dates: Thursday, March 19, 2026 – Sunday, April 19, 2026

Nijo-jo Castle, a World Heritage Site, is home to approximately 300 cherry trees of 50 varieties. Cherry blossoms are usually short-lived, but the blooming period of cherry trees at Nijo-jo Castle differs depending on the variety, allowing visitors to enjoy them for as long as one month.

Night Event “Nijo-jo Catsle 2026 SAKURA NIGHT” will be held. Four events will run concurrently during the period.
1. World Heritage Site Nijo-jo Castle × Japan Academy Prize-winning director’s immersive theater “Shirogeki”
*Dates are limited; please check the official website in advance.

2. Special Nighttime Viewing of the National Treasure Ninomaru Palace

3. Projection Mapping Featuring Cherry Blossoms and Light

4. Enjoying Kyoto Cuisine and Traditional Crafts with Nighttime Cherry Blossoms

Experience the quiet nighttime viewing within the National Treasure Ninomaru Palace and enjoy the projection mapping, where history and cutting-edge digital art fuse together, featuring cherry blossom petals as its motif.

Event Hours: 18:00–22:00 (Last entry at 21:00)

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Dates: Friday, March 13, 2026 – Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Higashiyama is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kyoto. Kodai-ji Zen Temple is one of the most popular temples. During this period, the entire temple grounds, including the hall, garden, and bamboo grove, will be illuminated. The cherry blossoms in the Hashin-tei garden in front of the Hojo (main building) are especially wonderful when illuminated. The pink cherry blossoms standing alone in the white sand garden of Karesansui (dry landscape garden) are showered down like a shower. The dignified appearance of the cherry blossoms in the spotlight is a sight to behold.

Illumination Hours:17：00～21：30 (Last entry at 21:30)

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Dates: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 – Sunday, April 5, 2026

Jodo Shu head temple Chion-in is especially famous for the cherry blossoms in front of its national treasure, Sanmon. The beauty of the pretty pink cherry blossoms against the massive and powerful Sanmon is nothing short of impressive. In addition to the approximately 200 cherry trees, the National Treasure Mieido and Daishoro, an important cultural property, are also illuminated, making it a must-see.

From Chion-in to Maruyama Park and Kodai-ji Zen Temple, famous for the “Gion-no- Yozakura” (cherry blossoms at night in Gion), and Kiyomizu-dera Temple, it is recommended to visit all the famous night cherry blossoms in Higashiyama, Kyoto, at the same time.

Illumination Hours: 5:45PM-9:30PM (Last entry at 9PM)

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Dates: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 – Sunday, April 5, 2026

The Shinen of Heian Jingu Shrine is a Japanese garden representative of the Meiji era. Of the vast grounds totaling approximately 33,000 square meters, the red weeping cherry trees in the south and east shrine gardens are famous, and are illuminated at night.

Illumination Hours: 6:15PM-9PM (Last entry at 8:30PM)

* A separate ticket is required for the concert.
There are two ticket options:
Concert Admission: Includes access to Higashi Shin’en (concert venue) and Minami Shin’en (cherry blossom illumination).
General Admission: Grants access to Minami Shin’en (cherry blossom illumination only).

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Dates: Friday, March 20, 2026 (National Holiday) to Sunday, April 5, 2026

Expo ’70 Commemorative Park is one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Osaka, selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots. cherry blossoms start blooming around mid-March and the park is dyed in beautiful pink. Until early April, the cherry trees along Higashioji Street will be illuminated. The rows of lustrous cherry blossoms lining both sides of the road are a sight to behold.
During the daytime, there will be special openings of the “Pan-an and Banri-an” tearooms in the vast Japanese garden, and tea ceremonies at the “Pan-an” (for a fee). Why not experience a typical Japanese spring scene with cherry blossoms and tea?

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Dates: Late March to early April

About 10 minutes by Hankyu train from Kobe-Sannomiya station, and about 20 minutes by Hankyu train from Osaka-Umeda station. The rows of cherry trees along the riverside, which can be seen from the platform of Hankyu Shukugawa Station, are one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Hyogo Prefecture, selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan!

Approximately 1,660 cherry trees and 1,520 pine trees are planted along the riverside avenue. In particular, the view of Mt.Kabuto and the cherry blossoms from the bridge just outside Hankyu Kurakuen-guchi Station is spectacular.

The area around Kurakuen-guchi Station is a residential area, so there are many families and unique restaurants scattered around the area. This is a spot where you can fully enjoy the charm of cherry blossoms from the perspective of everyday Japanese people.

Dates: Friday, March 27, 2026 – Sunday, April 5, 2026

Himeji Castle, designated as a World Heritage Site and a National Treasure, is also famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot. At night, around 100 cherry trees in the Nishi-no-Maru Garden, an area normally closed to the public, are beautifully illuminated. This creates a breathtakingly magical atmosphere, offering a completely different experience from the daytime scenery.

Himeji Castle is also called “Shirasagi-jo” (White Egret Castle) because it looks like a white egret with its wings spread. The collaboration of its majestic figure, which rises white in the darkness under the lights, and the cherry blossoms is a sight to behold.

Illumination Hours: 6:30PM-9PM (Last entry at 8:30PM)

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The cherry blossoms are illuminated only for a short period of time in spring! Enjoy the heart-stopping scenery and make it a precious memory of your trip.