Heian Jingu 'Sakura Otoyo' to be held in Kyoto from April 3 (Fri): Performers include actor/singer Miori Takimoto and pianist Ryota Kikuchi — 'Please enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime session'
Heian Jingu's "Sakura Otoyo" event will be held for five days from April 1 to 5, 2026, featuring evening light-ups of the historic shrine grounds and live performances. On April 3, actor and singer Miori Takimoto and pianist Ryota Kikuchi will perform, sharing their excitement for this special collaboration amidst the cherry blossoms. The event offers various ticket options for viewing the illuminated gardens and attending the concerts.
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Started in 1989 and beloved as an event that brings color to spring in Kyoto, "Heian Jingu Sakura Otoyo" (organized by the Sakura Otoyo Executive Committee, including the Kyoto Shimbun) will be held from April 1 to 5, 2026, at Heian Jingu in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto.
During this period, the Otenmon Gate, Daigokuden Hall, and the North and East Shin-en gardens will be specially illuminated at night, with the magnificent shrine buildings and weeping cherry blossoms coloring the spring Kyoto night. Attendees can stroll through the gardens while listening to live performances by artists along the banks of the East Shin-en's Seiho Pond.
Performers on the 3rd are actor/singer Miori Takimoto and pianist Ryota Kikuchi. We asked them about their enthusiasm.
Miori Takimoto: A story you can only experience once
For actor Miori Takimoto, Kyoto is a place she visits for filming at Shochiku and Toei studios, and it is "a place I love with staff members I love."
This time, she visits Kyoto as a singer. "I am very honored to be given such a special opportunity. Just imagining the fusion of the beauty of Japan's four seasons and music is exciting," she says.
At Sakura Otoyo, she hopes to create a stage that is close to that world view, yet also surprising. "While enjoying the chemical reaction with Ryota Kikuchi, I want to spin a single story through the concert," she says.
"The 'magic hour' from evening to night and the cherry blossoms reflecting in the pond—the atmosphere changes depending on the weather and the time of day. I would be happy if you could spend a special, fantastic moment with us that can only be tasted once."
Ryota Kikuchi: A beautiful and immersive stage
For pianist Ryota Kikuchi, this is his fourth consecutive year performing at Sakura Otoyo.
"I feel a sense of discipline knowing that I will stand on this sacred stage again this year," he says with joy, appealing, "I would be happy if you could enjoy a beautiful and immersive space overflowing with a Japanese atmosphere, created by song and piano, along with the beautiful cherry blossoms."
This time, he will be performing on the same day as actor and singer Miori Takimoto, saying, "I am looking forward to being able to perform many great songs along with Miori Takimoto's wonderful singing voice. I hope you will enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime session."
Although he is concentrating on composition this year for his own album production, he regularly posts performance videos on YouTube. "I am working hard to reach 1 million subscribers, so please subscribe to my channel."
"Sakura Otoyo" held for 5 days from April 1
[Dates]
April 1 (Wed), 2 (Thu), 3 (Fri), 4 (Sat), 5 (Sun), 2026
[Venue]
Heian Jingu (Okazaki Nishitenno-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City)
[Performance Hours]
Light-up = 6:15 PM – 9:00 PM (Last entry 8:30 PM, held rain or shine)
Performances =
Part 1: 6:40 PM – 7:10 PM (Entry reception: 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM)
Part 2: 7:55 PM – 8:25 PM (Entry reception: 7:35 PM – 8:30 PM)
*Part 1 and Part 2 are completely separate. There is no seating.
[Tickets]
(1) Admission Ticket: Allows viewing of the Daigokuden and North Shin-en (cherry blossom light-up area).
Advance: 1,500 yen, Day-of: 2,000 yen (tax included)
*Admission to the East Shin-en is not permitted. Fee required for elementary school students and older, preschool children free. No refunds.
(2) Admission Ticket with Concert: Allows viewing of all areas: Daigokuden, North Shin-en (light-up area), and East Shin-en (concert area).
Advance: 3,000 yen, Day-of: 4,000 yen (tax included)
*Fee required for elementary school students and older, preschool children free. Admission time must be specified; sales will end when the planned number is reached. Please choose Part 1 or Part 2 when purchasing. No refunds.
[Advance Ticket Sales]
E-plus (FamilyMart): https://eplus.jp/sakuraotoyo26/
Electronic Ticket Pia (7-Eleven): https://w.pia.jp/t/otoyo-2026/
Lawson Ticket (Lawson, Ministop): https://l-tike.com/kyoto-benishidare/
Sold at Kyoto Shimbun Culture Center
[Organizer]
Sakura Otoyo Executive Committee
[Special Sponsor]
JR Central
[Sponsor]
Kyoto Fukujuen Iyemon
[Cooperation]
Kyoto Pharmaceutical Industries
[Support]
Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kyoto Prefecture Tourism Federation, Kyoto City Tourism Association, Japan Hotel Association (Kyoto/Shiga/Nara Branch), Kyoto Tourism Ryokan Federation, Heian Jingu, Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau, KBS Kyoto, FM Kyoto
[Inquiries]
"Heian Jingu Sakura Otoyo" Secretariat (within Kyoto Shimbun COM)
075(241)6171
Weekdays / 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
For ticket-related inquiries: https://www.liveexsam.co.jp/contact/
*Please refrain from contacting the Heian Jingu shrine office.
["Heian Jingu Sakura Otoyo 2026" Official Website]
https://pr.kyoto-np.jp/event/benishidare/
During this period, the Otenmon Gate, Daigokuden Hall, and the North and East Shin-en gardens will be specially illuminated at night, with the magnificent shrine buildings and weeping cherry blossoms coloring the spring Kyoto night. Attendees can stroll through the gardens while listening to live performances by artists along the banks of the East Shin-en's Seiho Pond.
Performers on the 3rd are actor/singer Miori Takimoto and pianist Ryota Kikuchi. We asked them about their enthusiasm.
Miori Takimoto: A story you can only experience once
For actor Miori Takimoto, Kyoto is a place she visits for filming at Shochiku and Toei studios, and it is "a place I love with staff members I love."
This time, she visits Kyoto as a singer. "I am very honored to be given such a special opportunity. Just imagining the fusion of the beauty of Japan's four seasons and music is exciting," she says.
At Sakura Otoyo, she hopes to create a stage that is close to that world view, yet also surprising. "While enjoying the chemical reaction with Ryota Kikuchi, I want to spin a single story through the concert," she says.
"The 'magic hour' from evening to night and the cherry blossoms reflecting in the pond—the atmosphere changes depending on the weather and the time of day. I would be happy if you could spend a special, fantastic moment with us that can only be tasted once."
Ryota Kikuchi: A beautiful and immersive stage
For pianist Ryota Kikuchi, this is his fourth consecutive year performing at Sakura Otoyo.
"I feel a sense of discipline knowing that I will stand on this sacred stage again this year," he says with joy, appealing, "I would be happy if you could enjoy a beautiful and immersive space overflowing with a Japanese atmosphere, created by song and piano, along with the beautiful cherry blossoms."
This time, he will be performing on the same day as actor and singer Miori Takimoto, saying, "I am looking forward to being able to perform many great songs along with Miori Takimoto's wonderful singing voice. I hope you will enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime session."
Although he is concentrating on composition this year for his own album production, he regularly posts performance videos on YouTube. "I am working hard to reach 1 million subscribers, so please subscribe to my channel."
"Sakura Otoyo" held for 5 days from April 1
[Dates]
April 1 (Wed), 2 (Thu), 3 (Fri), 4 (Sat), 5 (Sun), 2026
[Venue]
Heian Jingu (Okazaki Nishitenno-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City)
[Performance Hours]
Light-up = 6:15 PM – 9:00 PM (Last entry 8:30 PM, held rain or shine)
Performances =
Part 1: 6:40 PM – 7:10 PM (Entry reception: 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM)
Part 2: 7:55 PM – 8:25 PM (Entry reception: 7:35 PM – 8:30 PM)
*Part 1 and Part 2 are completely separate. There is no seating.
[Tickets]
(1) Admission Ticket: Allows viewing of the Daigokuden and North Shin-en (cherry blossom light-up area).
Advance: 1,500 yen, Day-of: 2,000 yen (tax included)
*Admission to the East Shin-en is not permitted. Fee required for elementary school students and older, preschool children free. No refunds.
(2) Admission Ticket with Concert: Allows viewing of all areas: Daigokuden, North Shin-en (light-up area), and East Shin-en (concert area).
Advance: 3,000 yen, Day-of: 4,000 yen (tax included)
*Fee required for elementary school students and older, preschool children free. Admission time must be specified; sales will end when the planned number is reached. Please choose Part 1 or Part 2 when purchasing. No refunds.
[Advance Ticket Sales]
E-plus (FamilyMart): https://eplus.jp/sakuraotoyo26/
Electronic Ticket Pia (7-Eleven): https://w.pia.jp/t/otoyo-2026/
Lawson Ticket (Lawson, Ministop): https://l-tike.com/kyoto-benishidare/
Sold at Kyoto Shimbun Culture Center
[Organizer]
Sakura Otoyo Executive Committee
[Special Sponsor]
JR Central
[Sponsor]
Kyoto Fukujuen Iyemon
[Cooperation]
Kyoto Pharmaceutical Industries
[Support]
Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kyoto Prefecture Tourism Federation, Kyoto City Tourism Association, Japan Hotel Association (Kyoto/Shiga/Nara Branch), Kyoto Tourism Ryokan Federation, Heian Jingu, Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau, KBS Kyoto, FM Kyoto
[Inquiries]
"Heian Jingu Sakura Otoyo" Secretariat (within Kyoto Shimbun COM)
075(241)6171
Weekdays / 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
For ticket-related inquiries: https://www.liveexsam.co.jp/contact/
*Please refrain from contacting the Heian Jingu shrine office.
["Heian Jingu Sakura Otoyo 2026" Official Website]
https://pr.kyoto-np.jp/event/benishidare/