Plum Blossom Festival at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

Last Updated on February 1, 2025

Event Overview

The 25th of February marks the anniversary of the death of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine’s enshrined deity, Sugawara no Michizane.

As he was extremely fond of plum blossoms, a festival has been held in his memory for around 900 years, to ward off evil spirits by making offerings of plum blossoms to the main shrine.

Steamed rice is served on two trays, one large and one small, as well as special offerings called “Kodote,” which contain small branches of white and red plum blossoms, made to commemorate Sugawara no Michizane’s virtues.

At the gift shop, the brown rice used in the Kodote is given out as “evil-warding brown rice”.

The Funade Garden will host the Plum Blossom Festival Outdoor Tea Ceremony from 10:00 to 15:00 where, with the help of Kamishichiken’s geisha and maiko, you can enjoy a gorgeous outdoor tea ceremony in the temple grounds as the plum blossoms reach their peak.

The practice of holding the outdoor tea ceremony began in 1952, on the 1050th anniversary of Sugawara no Michizane’s death, and is based on the story of Toyotomi Hideyoshi holding the Kitano Grand Tea Ceremony at the shrine.

The shrine’s treasure hall will be open to the public and the monthly Tenjin Market festival will also be taking place on the same day, creating a lively atmosphere at the shrine.

Venue Information

Location: Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

Dates: 25th February 2025

Opening Times: 10:00 to 15:00 daily.

Entry Cost

The shrine is free to visit.

Tickets for the tea ceremony will be available at the Budo Kaikan reception desk from the 25th January and will be priced at 3,000 yen per person (this includes the ticket for outdoor tea ceremony, ticket to visit the Treasure Hall, and exchange ticket for the offerings).

Getting There

Tōjiin Ritsumeikan University Station on the Randen tram line is the closest station to Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.