Nijo Castle Cherry Blossom Light-Up by NAKED 2025
NAKED meets Nijo Castle 2025 Sakura
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Spring is just a month away in Japan, one of the most anticipated events of the year: the cherry blossom season. The popular cherry blossoms are one of the year’s favorite events for both Japanese and foreigners. The entire country is covered in shades of white and pink. An ephemeral beauty that lasts only a few weeks before disappearing again until next year.
You can enjoy the beauty of sakura or cherry blossoms in different places, but one of everyone’s favorites is Kyoto. Japan’s ancient capital, Kyoto is one of the most popular tourist cities in the country, just after Tokyo. And in 2025, new attractions are waiting!
One of Kyoto’s main attractions is its rich historical heritage, with numerous temples and shrines dating back many years. Although forgotten in many city guides, one of my favorite sites in the city is undoubtedly Nijo Castle. Built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence for the first shogun of Japan, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Nijo Castle offers something different from temples and shrines and has a pretty and photogenic garden. Spring is one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Kyoto, with 300 wild and cultivated Japanese cherry trees of 50 varieties
In Spring 2025, you can enjoy a new and unique experience, NAKED meets Nijo Castle 2025 Sakura in Kyoto from March 14 to April 13, 2025. This unique nighttime event will bring together the beauty of 50 different varieties of cherry trees, with about 300 trees in full bloom, and the creative works of the art company NAKED, INC.
*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.
▶Book NAKED meets Nijo Castle 2025 Sakura Now!!
NAKED FLOWERS, by the creative company NAKED, INC. is an interactive art exhibition with a floral motif. This annual event is held at Nijo Castle, one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Kyoto, where beautiful scenery is created by the lush cherry blossoms and Naked art.
Under the theme cherry blossoms and traditional Japanese culture visitors will be able to enjoy a projection mapping of the Karamon Gate, an Important Cultural Property, and various expressions of the nighttime cherry blossoms with all five senses through the fragrant breezes and sounds of Spring.
One of the highlights of the event will be a stunning projection mapping show at the Karomon Gate, a designated cultural property. The show will feature the awakening of the dragon god, the guardian of Nijo Castle, who will announce the arrival of spring alongside the blooming cherry blossoms. This unique performance promises a magical and immersive experience for visitors.
The event will transform seven different areas of Nijo Castle into immersive cherry blossom spaces. Historical buildings and famous sakura spots will be beautifully illuminated with cherry blossom colors. Visitors can enjoy the view while walking through the illuminated Kounten (a traditional Japanese pavilion) and experience light and sound installations along cherry blossom-lined paths.
A new picnic area will be introduced in the Sakura no En (Sakura Garden), one of the best cherry blossom spots in the castle. This area will be exclusively for visitors who purchase a “Picnic Set,” which includes drinks and snacks. The special “Sakura Leisure Sheets” shaped like cherry blossom petals will allow guests to sit and relax while enjoying the sakura in full bloom.
For those looking to indulge in sakura-themed treats, food stalls will be set up at the South Gate and Ninomaru Palace Garden, offering a variety of sakura sweets, drinks, and even alcohol.
In addition to these art installations, a collaboration project will be displayed by artist Ryotaro Muramatsu. The project, Dandelion Project, celebrates 80 years since the end of World War II and will feature art created by children from Kyoto. This collaboration aims to spread peace, symbolized by dandelions, while showcasing the children’s illustrations of sakura trees, inspired by the history of Nijo Castle.
The event offers a beautiful blend of history, nature, and art, making it a must-see experience for anyone visiting Kyoto in spring 2025.
NAKED meets Nijo Castle 2025 Sakura
Venue: Nijo Castle
Access: By bus
Date: March 14 (Fri) – April 13 (Sun), 2025
Hours: 18:00 ~ 22:00 (last admission 21:00)
▶Book NAKED’s Sakura Festival at Nijo Castle in Kyoto Now!!
Early Bird Ticket
From Monday to Thursday: 1,600 yen for adults/800 yen for elementary school students
Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays: 2,000 yen for adults/ 1,200 yen for elementary school students
Special dates: 2,400 yen for adults/ 1,500 yen for elementary school students
Regular Tickets
From Monday to Thursday: 2,000 yen for adults/1,000 yen for elementary school students
Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays: 2,500 yen for adults/ 1,500 yen for elementary school students
Special dates: 2,800 yen for adults/ 1,800 yen for elementary school students
Note: Tickets will also be sold on-site. However, there may be a limit on the number of on-site tickets sold.
On March 22 (Sat), 29 (Sat), April 5 (Sat), and 12 (Sat), entry will only be allowed with specific-date tickets (limited quantity).
Early Bird tickets will be available for sale from 10:00 on February 5 (Wed) to 23:59 on March 13 (Thu).
Official Website: https://flowers.naked.works/nijojo/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naked_inc/
Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/naked_staff/
Thanks for reading! If you are planning to visit Kyoto during Spring, you may wanna check the articles below!
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Written by
From Barcelona to Tokyo. Coffee & Adventure lover.
I started to like Japan because of the anime, music and dramas, but after my first trip to the country I found what I love the most: traveling around, the culture and history. I have travelled a lot in Japan, but I still have many places to discover that I want to share with you. Let’s discover Japan together!
Also, as a foreigner living in Japan for over 6 years I understand what kind of things are difficult when you move here and I want to help other people in the same situation that I have in the past.
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