5 highlights from NAKED’s Sakura Festival at World Heritage Site Nijo-jo Castle, Kyoto

Kyoto in the springtime is a spectacle of historic and natural beauty, as cherry blossoms paint the landscape in shades of pink and white.

Currently at Kyoto’s World Heritage Site Nijo-jo Castle, visitors can enjoy a nighttime cherry blossom spectacle like no other at the NAKED Sakura Festival, which illuminates the castle grounds in a spectacular display of digital art, illuminations, and a “hanami” experience of food and beverages amidst the cherry trees.

Come explore one of Kyoto’s most popular cherry blossom sites with its 300 cherry trees which are anticipating their full bloom in the coming week!

Date: March 8-April 7 2024
Time: 6pm-10pm (last entry at 9pm)
Tickets: Mon-Thu ¥2,000 (elementary school students ¥1,200), Fri-Sun ¥2,400 (¥1,600),  March 23 & 30 ¥2,800 (¥2,000). Now available online.

See historic architecture illuminated with projection mapping shows

Marvel at the cherry blossom-inspired projection mapping showcases that illuminate Nijo-jo’s iconic Karamon Gate, the 140-meter-expanse of the Inner Moat, and the interior walls at the Daidokoro-mae Area. Visitors can also opt to rent a NAKED Distance Lantern which casts a cherry blossom pattern of light underfoot, and carry them around the venue to become a part of the illumination displays. (500 yen rental fee per lantern.)

Immerse yourself in hundreds of illuminated cherry blossoms

Nijo-jo is renowned as one of Kyoto’s most popular cherry blossom destinations, housing approximately 300 trees of 50 varieties within its grounds. During the NAKED Sakura Festival, these trees will be illuminated in various spring-inspired colors, and accompanied by traditional Japanese instrumental music and fragrance installations. Other illuminated areas include the historic Koun-tei pavilion and pond, as well as the Minami-mon Gate walkway.

Indulge in a luxurious hanami experience

Seiryuen, one of Nijo Castle's best cherry blossom viewing spots, will feature the ``Premium Cherry Blossom Viewing Area,'' reserved exclusively for premium ticket purchasers, where you can relax in your own space while admiring the cherry blossoms.

One of the highlights of the cherry blossom season is to sit back and indulge in food and beverages as you admire the cherry trees in popular “hanami” tradition.

The NAKED Sakura Festival offers an exclusive Premium Hanami Area ticket package that includes reserved seating with one of the best views of Nijo-jo’s cherry trees, with a complimentary food & beverage set, an action-packed samurai show, photo opportunity, and souvenir set.

(Premium Hanami Area tickets must be purchased in advance from three time slots per night at 6:30pm, 7:30pm, and 8:30pm. 9000 yen per person. Tickets can be booked online.)

Indulge in the flavours of Japanese springtime

Enjoy a variety of cherry blossom-inspired delicacies and beverages provided by cafe/restaurant TREE by NAKED at the castle’s Daidokoro-mae area, where visitors can purchase menu items such as matcha soy latte, sakura lemonade, sakura highballs and beer, as well as chilled yakitori chicken, popcorn, and mixed nuts. Gather around the large cherry tree installation featuring real blossoms and lanterns, in this one-of-a-kind hanami dining experience!

Take home the hanami experience with souvenirs and gifts.

The experience doesn’t conclude within the castle grounds, as the event offers plenty of souvenirs to enjoy at home as well. Purchase a commemorative ticket featuring an original cherry blossom design as a memorabilia, or pick out a NAKED Hanamikuji paper fortune shaped like flowers and take them home as a souvenir ornament. Other gift options include the cherry blossom-flavored limited edition NAKED Mt. Fuji Canele, chocolate assortments, stationery, and bath and beauty goods such as bath salts and essential oils.

The NAKED Sakura Festival 2024: World Heritage Site Nijo-jo Castle is ongoing every evening until Sunday, April 7th. Tickets are available for purchase here.

Event details

Event Name: NAKED Sakura Festival 2024: World Heritage Site Nijo-jo Castle
Venue: Former Imperial Palace Nijo-jo Castle (541 Nijojo-cho, Nishi, Horikawa-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto)
Event Period: March 8 - April 7, 2024 (*Open every day during the event period (Cancellation may occur in case of harsh weather conditions. In case of cancellation or other emergencies, announcements will be made on the official website and official X account.)
Opening Hours: 18:00 - 22:00 (Last entry at 21:00)

Ticket Prices (incl tax): 
[Monday to Thursday] Junior high school students and above: 2,000 yen Elementary school students: 1,200 yen [Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays] Junior high school students and above: 2,400 yen Elementary school students: 1,600 yen

[Mon-Thu] Junior High School Students and above: ¥2,000 (Elementary School Students: ¥1,200) / [Fri-Sun/Holidays] Junior High School Students and above: ¥2,400 (Elementary School Students: ¥1,600)

[Regular] Junior High School Students and above: ¥2,800 (Elementary School Students: ¥2,000)

Please check the official website and various play guides for further information:

Official website URL: https://event.naked.works/nijojo/spring/
Official X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/nijojo_spring24