Plum Blossom Festival at Kitano Tenmangu

The Plum Blossom Festival (Baika-sai) and outdoor tea ceremony (nodate) at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto are significant annual events that honor the memory of Sugawara no Michizane, the shrine’s enshrined deity.

Annual events of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

年中行事

Plum Blossom Festival (Baika-sai)

The Baika-sai is held annually on February 25th, which marks the death anniversary of Sugawara no Michizane. This festival has a history of about 900 years and is dedicated to commemorating Michizane’s virtues and his love for plum blossoms.

During the ceremony, special offerings are made at the main shrine, including:

• “Ohmeshi” and “Komeshi” (large and small mounds of steamed rice)
• “Koudate” (paper stands with small branches of white and red plum blossoms)

The shrine also distributes “Yakuyoke Genmmai” (evil-averting brown rice) that was used in the Koudate as a charm for visitors.

Outdoor Tea Ceremony (Nodate)

Following the main festival, an outdoor tea ceremony called “Baika-sai Nodate Ochakai” is held in the shrine’s plum garden. This event is inspired by the grand tea ceremony hosted by Toyotomi Hideyoshi at Kitano Tenmangu in 1587. The modern version of this ceremony began in 1952, marking the 1050th anniversary of Michizane’s death.

Key features of the outdoor tea ceremony include:

• Location: A special venue called “Funade no Niwa” (Garden of Departing Ships) in front of the Koubai-den hall
• Time: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (last entry at 2:30 PM)
• Performers: Geiko and maiko (apprentice geisha) from the Kamishichiken district serve tea to visitors
• Admission: Tickets (called “haifuku-ken”) are sold for 3,000 yen per person, which includes tea service, admission to the treasure hall, and a souvenir

The schedule may vary from year to year. So please confirm check Shrine’s website before you go there.

Plum Blossom Viewing

The Baika-sai coincides with the peak plum blossom season at Kitano Tenmangu. The shrine’s grounds, spanning about 2 hectares, boast approximately 1,500 plum trees of 50 different varieties. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful sight of red and white plum blossoms in full bloom, creating a picturesque setting for the festival and tea ceremony.

Ticket Information

Tickets for the outdoor tea ceremony go on sale at the Bundo Kaikan reception from January 25th. It’s important to note that:

• Tickets are only available for purchase in person at the Bundo Kaikan window
• No advance reservations or mail orders are accepted
• Tickets may sell out quickly due to high demand

The Baika-sai and its associated outdoor tea ceremony offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience traditional Japanese culture, appreciate the beauty of plum blossoms, and participate in a centuries-old festival honoring one of Japan’s most revered scholars and statesmen.