Heian Shrine

One of Kyoto’s most historic landmarks, Heian Shrine was established in 1895 to mark the 1,100th anniversary of Heian-kyo, the city’s former name. The shrine’s Meiji-era Japanese garden is especially enchanting in spring, when the weeping cherry blossoms create a breathtaking, poetic scene. In 2023, a special cherry blossom concert first held at the shrine in 1989 was revived and relaunched as Heian Shrine Sakura Otoyo. The event is confirmed to return this year, offering not only a rare opportunity to explore the illuminated shrine after dark, but also a unique Kyoto experience with live music performances set against glowing cherry blossoms. Tickets are expected to sell out quickly, as the event only runs for five nights. Tickets come in three tiers. The Admission-only ticket (advance ¥1,500, same-day ¥2,000) grants access to Daigokuden Hall, one of the shrine’s most impressive structures, along with the cherry blossom illumination at the South Garden. The Concert Admission ticket (advance ¥3,000, same-day ¥4,000), on the other hand, includes the hall visit and sakura illumination plus entry into the East Garden for the concert. Note that each ticket is valid for only one of the two concert sessions: 6.40pm–7.10pm or 7.55pm–8.25pm. For a truly indulgent evening, the ¥15,000 Meal & Concert Admission offers all of the above as well as a special Kyoto kaiseki meal at Rokusei, a long-established traditional Japanese restaurant near the shrine. A pre-sale ticket lottery is...