Hirano Shrine
Kitano, Kyoto
- Daily
- 6:00 to 17:00
Open after dark until about 21:00 in cherry blossom season.
Source: ja.kyoto.travel, checked 11 Oct 2026.
Hirano Shrine grows about 400 cherry trees of some 60 varieties, many of which started here, so something's in flower for about six weeks from mid-March. The shrine came here from Nara with the capital in 794, and its paired main halls of 1625 and 1632 are an Important Cultural Property.
Insider tip
Entry is free. In cherry season you can stay after dark, until about 21:00, for night viewing, and the Ouka-sai festival is on 10 April. Late varieties like Gyoiko and Shogetsu don't flower until mid to late April, and Hirano Tsukubane lasts into early May.
What's on at Hirano Shrine
Upcoming events at Hirano Shrine and within a ten-minute walk, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Nishioji Seven Lucky Shrines Stamp Walk (Hirano Shrine)
西大路七福社ご利益めぐり
Station Kitano-Hakubaicho (Randen Kitano Line), about 15 min walk
Hirano Shrine is one of seven shrines along Nishioji-dori where visitors collect goshuin stamps from New Year to the end of February, in any order, with a keepsake zodiac figure for completing all seven.
Cherry Blossom Light-up at Hirano Shrine
平野神社のライトアップ
Station Hirano-jinja-mae bus stop
The shrine's cherry grove is lit each night during the blossom season.
Meigetsu-sai at Hirano Shrine
名月祭(平野神社)
Time Rite 18:30, performances from 19:00 Station Kinugasako-mae bus stop (City Bus)
A harvest moon rite at 18:30, then folk song, dance, koto, shakuhachi and gagaku from 19:00, with matcha served for a fee.
Tenjin-ichi Market at Kitano Tenmangu
天神市(北野天満宮)
Time All day, lanterns lit from sunset Station Kitano-Hakubaicho (Randen Kitano Line), 5 min walk
The 25th is Kitano Tenmangu's monthly fair day, and stalls line the approach all day. From sunset the shrine lights its 350 stone and 250 hanging lanterns, and 25 January and 25 December are the busiest of the year, with about a thousand stalls.
Select Umeshu Festival in Kyoto 2026
厳選梅酒まつりin京都2026
Time 11:00 to 18:00 (to 17:00 on 24 Nov) Station Randen Kitano-Hakubaicho, 5 min walk
Over 100 plum liqueurs, including this year's national contest medal winners, to taste and buy at Kitano Tenmangu, paid for with tickets. The 1,900 yen ticket gives 19 coins on the day, or 21 if bought in advance.
Nearby
Around Kitano
Tenjin's head shrine, Kyoto's oldest geisha district and Daitoku-ji
Start at Kitano Tenmangu, head shrine of about 12,000 Tenjin shrines, founded in 947 for Sugawara no Michizane, the scholar students still pray to before exams. Come on the 25th, when the Tenjin-san Market fills the approach and the lanterns are lit after dark. Kamishichiken, Kyoto's oldest geisha district, lines the shrine's east approach, and Daitoku-ji's Zen temples are about 1.7 km north-east.
Kitano has 25 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 10 shrines and temples, 3 cafes, 3 shops, 2 restaurants, 2 bathhouses, 1 viewpoint, 1 neighbourhood, 1 museum, 1 bar and 1 market. Read the Kitano guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of Hirano Shrine?
- 1 Hirano Miyamoto-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto (in Japanese: 京都市北区平野宮本町1).
- What are the opening hours of Hirano Shrine?
- Daily 6:00 to 17:00. Open after dark until about 21:00 in cherry blossom season.
- How do I get to Hirano Shrine?
- The nearest station is Kinugasako-mae bus stop (City Bus). Hirano Shrine is in Kitano, Kyoto.
- How much does Hirano Shrine cost?
- Nothing. Hirano Shrine is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Hirano Shrine?
- Plan for 30 min.
- When is the best time to visit Hirano Shrine?
- Late March to mid-April.
Stay near Hirano Shrine
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