Kitano Tenman-gū

photo by z tanuki · CC BY 3.0

About one thousand five hundred plum trees in bloom in February, when the cherry trees have nothing to show.

On the 25th of every month the grounds fill with stalls and the car park closes. On other days you go in at seven in the morning and walk among about one thousand five hundred plum trees, which in February are the only thing in flower in the city. The main hall, at the back, dates from 1607 and is a National Treasure. In autumn the maple grove also stays open at night, lit up.

The shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, who in Japan is the deity of learning: that is why young people come here to ask to pass their exams. The main hall dates from 1607 and is a National Treasure.

ℹ️ Open 7:00–17:00; the gate closes half an hour earlier; prayers are accepted from 9:00 to 16:00 and the amulet counter closes at 16:30. The grounds are free. ⚠️ The two seasonal gardens, the plum grove from early February to late March and the maple grove from late October to early December with night illumination, have a separate ticket whose price is not published; in 2026 the plum grove was handed over to a paid installation, and people who only wanted to see the plum trees found out after paying. Annual events: market on the 25th of every month, Baika-sai on 25 February, Zuiki matsuri from 1 to 5 October. 2026 summer exhibition at the treasure hall from 10 July to 30 September, 10:00–16:30; evening opening from 12 to 23 September 2026, 18:00–20:30, ¥1,500. ⚠️ The car park is closed on the 25th of every month and on festival days. From the ‘Kitano Hakubaichō’ stop on the Randen tram line it is five minutes' walk.

🚉 Kitano-Hakubaichō · 9 min walk

Sources: kitanotenmangu.or.jp · kitanotenmangu.or.jp · kitanotenmangu.or.jp

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