This spring, Kyoto has a brand new way to experience cherry blossom season after dark. From March 27th to April 12th, 2026, the World Heritage Site Daigoji Temple will host Daigo Hanami, a special nighttime sakura event that blends centuries of history with cutting edge digital art. This event marks the first collaboration between JR Central's long running "Let's Go to Kyoto" campaign and digital art collective NAKED.
Daigo Hanami is set to transform the temple grounds into an immersive evening stroll filled with light, sound, and even fragrance. Visitors can wander beneath illuminated cherry trees while iconic landmarks such as the National Treasure Five Story Pagoda, Kondo Hall, Niomon Gate, and Benten Pond glow softly against the night sky. It's the first time this part of the temple has hosted a full scale night cherry blossom illumination, offering a rare perspective on one of Kyoto's most important historic sites.
A highlight of Daigo Hanami is the cherry blossom night tea ceremony held in front of the Five Story Pagoda. Inspired by the lavish hanami gatherings of the past, this modern reinterpretation combines traditional tea culture with NAKED's art technology. Guests can enjoy tea and sweets while watching a standing tea ceremony performance, all while surrounded by illuminated blossoms. No advance reservation is required, though a separate fee applies.
With projection mapping, lantern guided pathways, and shimmering reflections across Benten Pond, Daigo Hanami offers inbound travelers a Kyoto spring experience that feels both timeless and fresh.
Please note that ticket prices differ depending on the day of the week you attend. For more information, please head to the official site here.
