In the 2016 Keihan cherry blossom viewing itinerary, a trip to Kyoto night cherry blossom lighting event "Gion Shirakawa Night Sakura Light Up" was arranged. Finally, I saw the stunning night cherry blossoms in Gion. The crowds of tourists on the scene were also really amazing. I did not expect it from 2017. , The light-up event that has been held for 27 consecutive years has come to an end. I don’t know when it will restart. Let’s take a look at the last beautiful figure of Gion Shirakawa Yozakura in 2016!
How to get to Gion Shirakawa?
Gion Shirakawa is close to Gion Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line, and Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line is nearby. You can take a direct train from Osaka to Gion, Gion Shijo Station, No. 1 in one hour. Next to the exit is the entrance of Gion Shirakawa.In addition, there is a Shijo Keihanmae stop near Gion Shirakawa, but if you are departing from Kyoto Station, it is recommended to take a number of bus routes that pass through Shijo Kawaramachi Station, and then walk across the Kamogawa River.
Shirakawa is the north-south canal in Kyoto. The Shirakawa-side road between Higashiojidori and Hanami-koji-dori is called Shirakawa Kita-dori, and Shirakawa Nandori is between Gion Xunbashi and Shinte-dori (Yamato-Odori). The Sakura Road in Yono-Shirakawa is mainly located on both sides of the road in Nantong, Shirakawa. This place is also an important preservation area for traditional buildings in Kyoto.
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▲ Gion Shirakawa is close to Exit 9 of Gion Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line.
▲ The entrance of Gion Shirakawa is facing Yamato Odori and Kamogawa, and is close to the Shijo Kawaramachi business district.
Sakura Street illuminated at night in Gion Shirakawa
After exiting the station from Exit 9 of Gion Shijo Station, you can immediately arrive at the entrance of Gion Shirakawa at Yamato Odori. Between Ogawa Odori and Yamato Bridge, it is the most beautiful section of Gion Shirakawa’s night cherry blossoms. A small section of the road is lined with lush cherry blossoms and close together, creating a beautiful cherry blossom tunnel, which is also the most crowded area, and it also makes Yamato Bridge often appear in the situation of pedestrians and vehicles.
Then walk all the way from Yamato Bridge to Gion Sunda Bridge. Although the cherry blossom density is low, there is no interference from traffic. Under the river water and the restaurant lights, it presents a completely different look. It can be slow at this time. Walk slowly on the stone road until the end of Tatsumi Daming Shrine, savor the unique charm of Kyoto.
▲ The cherry blossoms are the densest between Yamato Odori Street and Yamato Bridge. Between Yamato Bridge and Sunda Bridge is a stone road accompanied by the river of cherry blossoms.
▲ The entrance of Gion Shirakawa from Exit 9 of Gion Shijo Station is a popular cherry blossom viewing spot.
▲ The cherry blossoms on both sides of this short section of road close together, forming a beautiful cherry blossom tunnel.
▲ The red parasols under the cherry blossom road create a very interesting view of cherry blossoms.
▲ Tatsumi Daimyoji Shrine in front of Gion Tatsumi Bridge is the end of Gion Shirakawa Sakura Road.
▲ Gion Shirakawa is surrounded by tea houses and restaurants, and the shop facades are quite calm and low-key.
Postscript: Gion Shirakawa stopped lighting at night
The Gion Shirakawa Night Sakura event is called Gion Shirakawa Night Sakura Light Up (Sakura Light Up). Since 1990, it has been hosted by the Kyoto Gion Kote Prosperity Association. This association is composed of 60 local shops and is also a traditional Kyoto building. The group saves the designated area, which often becomes the filming scene.
Starting from March 2017, considering the traffic chaos during the night cherry lighting period, coupled with the limited budget of maintenance personnel and activities, the 3 consecutive lighting events have come to an end. Wendy and Anya visited Gion in 27. Shirakawa Yezakura has also become the last memorial!
Safety considerations and budget constraints were the two main reasons that finally brought the Gion Shirakawa light-up event to an end. In fact, Wendy felt that the realistic factor behind it was that the economic benefits of tourists who came here to enjoy the cherry blossoms at night were not high!Gion Shirakawa is an open space, and entrance fees cannot be charged. The surrounding restaurant is not dominated by foreign tourists who enjoy cherry blossoms from outside. I am afraid that it will disturb the elegant dining environment of the guests in the restaurant. It is better to stop the event.
In any case, even if the night lighting event comes to an end, Gion Shirakawa is still very beautiful during the day, and the traffic here is very convenient. It is recommended that you can arrange a visit during the cherry blossom viewing period.
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◎ Gion Shirakawa Tea House Village
– Address: 〒605-0085 Motoyoshicho, Higashiyama District, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
– Official website: http://www.gion-nawate.com/sakura/
