Mar. 16, 2023 UPDATE
Cherry Tree Illumination Event at Maruyama Park
- 円山公園しだれ桜ライトアップ -Traveler Friendly
Maruyama Park is behind Yasaka Shrine so the place is easy to find. It is an illumination event so the event should be easy to enjoy without any knowledge of Japanese.
Information
Only Japanese
Languages spoken
Only Japanese, but some of the workers at the Kyoto Greenery Association responsible for this event can speak English.
Gion & Kiyomizu Temple
Popular
PeriodNighttime illumination: March 24th - April 9th, 2023
VenueMaruyama Park
Story & Recommendation
Night flower viewing event at Maruyama Park with weeping cherry trees as the highlight
There are a few places in Kyoto that can be called great hanami, or cherry blossom viewing spots. Among these places Maruyama Park is especially famous. Inside the park there are weeping and Yoshino cherry trees, and other types of cherry trees too, but the most famous one is the huge weeping cherry tree in the middle of the park.
During the peak cherry blossom viewing season the park is bustling with people. At night the trees are illuminated so the park delights people no matter day or night. There are also places inside the park where the trees are illuminated by bonfires, creating a magical view. Maruyama Park is also close to many sightseeing spots such as Yasaka Shrine, Chion-in Temple, and Kodai-ji Temple, so you can tour sightseeing spots first, and then at night go see the cherry blossoms. I strongly recommend this flower viewing spot!
1Highlight
The lofty weeping cherry tree in the middle of the park
The big weeping cherry tree in the middle of the park is over 80 years old. The first tree died when it was 220 years old, so the present weeping cherry tree is the second one. The best time to see the cherry blossoms is from the end of March to the beginning of April, and during this time the park is always crowded with people viewing the flowers. The impressive cherry trees in full bloom illuminated at night form a magical sight I wish you all can experience.
2Highlight
Stroll in Maruyama Park
Maruyama Park is the oldest park in Kyoto, and the park is a kaiyushiki-style garden with different parts of the park blooming in different seasons. Just walking in this tasteful garden is fun. During the hanami flower viewing season there are bonfires at the park that illuminate the cherry trees, making the park have a Kyoto-like magical atmosphere.
3Let's join!
Food stalls and hanami tea parlors
During the hanami flower viewing period there are many food stalls at the park. There are also three tea parlors operating during the event, and when you buy something to eat at these parlors you get to sit at a special seating area right under the cherry trees with red benches only for the customers. Many of the shops and stalls are open at night, so a festive spirit fills the park.
