Daigo‑ji Temple in Spring: Cherry Blossom Illuminations and Tea

From March 27 to April 12, 2026, creative studio NAKED, INC., in collaboration with JR Tokai’s long‑running “Let’s go to Kyoto.” campaign, will transform the grounds of World Heritage site Daigo‑ji into an immersive nighttime hanami. Staged across the temple’s historic garan, the program will illuminate landmark sites, the Five‑Story Pagoda, the Kondo (Main Hall), the Nio Gate and Benten Pond, using projection mapping, atmospheric lighting, scent and sound to guide visitors through a curated evening route. 

Daigo‑ji is not only architecturally significant but also steeped in cherry‑blossom tradition, famous as the setting for grand historical viewings (including Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s celebrated Daigo no Hanami) and long admired for its layered gardens and hilltop vistas, so this installation aims to deepen that legacy by reinterpreting hanami through site‑specific visuals and live table‑style tea performances, turning centuries‑old tea‑gathering rituals and seasonal entertainments into a contemporary, multisensory night‑time experience.

Highlights

Five‑Story Pagoda Tea Seating

Before the national‑treasure Five‑Story Pagoda, a table‑style tea performance transforms a simple cup into the centerpiece of an immersive moment: the host’s measured, ritual gestures are highlighted by precise lighting and projection, letting each motion and breath register against the illuminated cherry branches.

 Guests can buy a served bowl of tea and a traditional confection on site (additional fee); no advance reservation is required, but seating is limited,arrive early for the best, closest view.

Projection Mapping at the Kondo (Main Hall)

The Kondo becomes a living canvas as projection mapping layers traditional patterns and historical motifs onto the hall’s architectural features and the canopy of night‑lit cherry trees.

The result is a sequence of tightly choreographed visual tableaux that feel rooted in the place, accenting eaves, columns and rooflines, so viewers perceive the projections as an organic extension of the temple rather than a superficial overlay. For a full sense of the program, watch a complete cycle from the central axis.

The path through the Nio Gate is staged as an arrival ritual: pools of warm, low lighting, cherry‑patterned lantern accents and a restrained soundscape guide visitors inward, turning the approach into a slow, processional moment.

It’s designed for atmosphere and framed photos. When visiting please keep movement steady so others can experience the procession, and follow staff instructions where lighting is intentionally dim.

At Benten Pond, subtle illumination paints the water and the small Benten Hall in shifting highlights that produce changing mirror images of blossoms and architecture. 

The installation favors nuance over spectacle: soft color shifts and pinpoint glints create meditative, photographically rich reflections that reward patient viewing from different points along the bank. Keep voices low and respect barriers to preserve the quiet, contemplative mood.

Let's go to Kyoto. Presents NAKED meets World Heritage Site Daigoji Temple - Daigo Cherry Blossom Viewing -

Dates: March 27–April 12, 2026
Hours: 18:30–21:30 (last admission 20:50; note organizers may close admissions earlier if crowds require it)
Location: Daigo‑ji (Fushimi‑ku, Kyoto)
Tickets:
EX early and same‑day (advance booking via EX):
Monday –Thursday: Adults (junior high +) 1,400 yen / Kids (elementary) 1,000 yen
Friday –Sunday and Holidays: Adults 1,600 yen / Kids 1,200 yen
Regular tickets:
Monday –Thursday: Adults 1,800 yen / Kids 1,200 yen
Friday –Sunday And Holidays: Adults 2,000 yen / Kids 1,400 yen
Preschool children: free.
Disability discount: show a qualifying certificate at the on‑site ticket desk to receive a cashback (Adults 500 yen / Kids 300 yen). Caregiver (1) eligible with the certificate.
Official Website: https://event.naked.works/en
Restrictions: No tripods/monopods, no pets; additional paid attractions available inside the venue.
Information and picture source: PR TIMES