Written by Aarohi Narain
As spring evenings warm Kyoto, the Shirakawa area of Gion transforms under the glow of cherry blossoms.
What happens?
Lined with traditional wooden townhouses, Kyoto’s Gion is a historic area that flourished as a teahouse district in the mid-Edo period.
Every spring, when cherry blossoms bloom along the Shirakawa River, the area offers a stunning sight. During the Gion Shirakawa Sakura Light-Up, the path from Kawabata Street to Tatsumi Bridge is illuminated.
Schedule 2025
The Gion Shirakawa Evening Cherry Blossom Illuminations take place from March 28 to April 6, from 6 to 10 p.m.
How to get there
Take the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line from Kyoto Station to Karasuma Oike Station. Transfer to the Tozai Line and ride to Sanjo Keihan Station. Walk 5 minutes east toward Shirakawa Canal. The whole journey should take about 15 minutes.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.- 282 m from Gion-Shijō Station Keihan Main Line (KH39)
- 0.5 km from Kawaramachi Station Hankyu Kyoto Main Line (HK86)
- 0.6 km from Sanjō Keihan Station Tōzai Line (T11)
