From late March until mid April each year, Kyoto's Toji Temple hosts an evening illumination event that celebrates the cherry trees in bloom on the grounds. In total there are around 200 sakura trees here, and they manage to look extra stunning when paired with the silhouette of the temple's five-storied pagoda.
Admission to the event is priced at 1000 yen for adults, and 500 yen for junior high school aged students and below.
Getting there
For JR users, Toji Temple is located around 15 minutes on foot from the Hachijo exit of Kyoto Station. Buses are also available from the station if you'd prefer not to walk - Route 78 will get you to the Toji Minamimon-mae
For those using the Kintetsu Railway, the temple is around 10 minutes on foot from Toji Station.
If you're visiting the area by car, the temple is around three and a half kilometers from the Kyoto Minami IC on National Route 1. On-site parking is available at a cost of 300 yen per hour.
More info
Find out more about Toji Temple.
Kim @kim.b
I'm an expat who has lived abroad for almost a decade, including 7 years in Japan. I've also visited 44 of 47 prefectures and hope to get to the last three someday! I'm particularly fond of exploring off the beaten path destinations, gardens, and tea houses, and have a real interest in Japan's gr...