February is when Kyoto's charm reaches full bloom. You can fully immerse yourself in Kyoto's unique atmosphere, from the plum blossoms adorning World Heritage shrines and temples to traditional Setsubun festivities that have been passed down through generations.
On this page, I'll introduce recommended tourist spots for February, including Kitano Tenmangu and Jonangu Shrine - famous for their plum blossoms, and Yoshida Shrine - known for hosting one of Kyoto's largest Setsubun festivals. We'll guide you through the highlights of each location with accompanying videos.
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Plum Blossoms
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Approximately 1,500 red and white plum trees are in full bloom, and visitors can enjoy about 50 different varieties of plum blossoms in the plum garden.
・Address: Bakurocho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto
・Access: Take City Bus Route 50 from Kyoto Station and get off at "Kitano Tenmangu-mae"
・Best Viewing Period: Mid-February to early March
・Web site: https://kitanotenmangu.or.jp/en/
Jonangu Shrine
The shrine garden's "Heian Garden" features about 150 plum trees, where visitors can enjoy various varieties including white and red blossoms.
・Address: 7 Nakajima Tobarikyucho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
・Access: Take City Bus Route 21 from Kyoto Station and get off at "Jonangu-mae"
・Best Viewing Period: Mid-February to mid-March
・Website: https://www.jonangu.com/
Umekoji Park
The Suzaku Garden features about 60 plum trees of 20 different varieties, offering an easily accessible spot to enjoy plum blossoms in the heart of the city.
・Address: 56 Kankiji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
・Access: 15-minute walk from Kyoto Station
・Best Viewing Period: Late February to mid-March
・Website: https://www.umekoji.jp/
Kyoto Botanical Gardens
The plum grove contains about 100 plum trees, offering an extended viewing period from early to late-blooming varieties.
・Address: Shimogamo Hangi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
・Access: 5-minute walk from Kitayama Station on the Karasuma Subway Line from Kyoto Station
・Best Viewing Period: Mid-February to mid-March
・Website: https://www.kyotobotanicalgardens.jp/
Shimogamo Shrine
The World Heritage site grounds are home to approximately 30 plum trees, and visitors can enjoy plum blossoms around Kawai Shrine.
・Address: 59 Shimogamo Izumigawa-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
・Access: About 10 minutes walk from Demachiyanagi Station on the Karasuma Subway Line from Kyoto Station
・Best Viewing Period: Mid-February to mid-March
・Website: https://www.shimogamo-jinja.or.jp/
Wax plum
Umemiya Taisha Shrine
About 200 wintersweet trees are planted on the shrine grounds, where visitors can enjoy their yellow blossoms and fragrant aroma.
・Address: 30 Umezu Fukenogawa-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
・Access: Take City Bus Route 28 from Kyoto Station and get off at "Umemiya Taisha-mae"
・Best Viewing Period: Early February to early March
Dairenji Temple
Known as an early-blooming wintersweet spot with approximately 60 wintersweet trees planted on the grounds.
・Address: 547 Dodo-cho, Teranouchiori Horikawa Higashi-iru, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto
・Access: 3-minute walk from "Horikawa Teranochi" bus stop on City Bus Route 9 from Kyoto Station
・Best Viewing Period: Late January to mid-February
・Website: https://www.dairenji.jp/
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
The shrine's wintersweet garden has about 50 wintersweet trees planted, offering fragrant blooms even before the plum blossoms appear.
・Address: Bakurocho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto
・Access: Take City Bus Route 50 from Kyoto Station and get off at "Kitano Tenmangu-mae"
・Best Viewing Period: Late January to late February
・Website: https://kitanotenmangu.or.jp/
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Wintersweet trees are planted near the Kenreimon Gate, where visitors can enjoy them alongside the historic scenery.
・Address: 3 Kyoto Gyoen, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto
・Access: 10-minute walk from Imadegawa Station on the Karasuma Subway Line from Kyoto Station
・Best Viewing Period: Late January to mid-February
Setsubun Festival
The Setsubun Festival is a traditional event held on the day before the start of spring. While throwing beans and chanting "Demons out, fortune in," people drive away negative energy and pray for good health in the new year. At temples and shrines, various religious ceremonies are conducted, including bean throwing, fire rituals, and traditional performing arts offerings, drawing many worshippers who create a lively atmosphere.
Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine
Famous for its Evil-Dispelling Grand Festival during Setsubun. In addition to bean throwing, traditional rituals such as the Fire Festival and Sacred Kagura Dance are performed.
Address: 30 Yawata Takabo, Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: From Kyoto Station, take the Kintetsu Railway to "Kintetsu Tambabashi" Station, transfer to the Keihan Main Line and get off at "Yawata" Station. Take the cable car to "Otokoyama Sanjo" Station.
Schedule: 13:00~ Fire Festival 15:00~ Setsubun Festival Ceremony 16:00~ Bean Throwing Ceremony
Website: https://www.iwashimizu.or.jp/
Yoshida Shrine
Hosts one of Kyoto's largest Setsubun festivals. Various religious ceremonies including the Fire Ritual, Tsuina Ceremony (demon exorcism), and bean throwing are held over three days. Many food and vendor stalls are also set up.
Address: 30 Yoshida Kaguraoka-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Access: From Kyoto Station, take City Bus Route 206 to "Hyakumanben" stop, then 10 minutes on foot
Schedule: February 2nd 23:00~ Fire Ritual February 3rd 13:00~ Setsubun Festival Ceremony 23:00~ Tsuina Ceremony, Bean Throwing February 4th Festivities continue until late night Website: https://www.yoshidajinja.com/
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