Kitano Tenmangu Plum Blossoms & Blades — A Private Tour

・Spring in Kyoto Begins with Plum Blossoms

Before the cherry blossom season, plum blossoms at Kitano Tenmangu quietly signal the arrival of spring.
For many locals, it is the plum—not the cherry blossom—that marks the true beginning of the season.

・A Shrine Revered by Samurai

While widely known for prayers for academic success, Kitano Tenmangu has also long been regarded as a guardian shrine of martial spirit.
Legendary samurai once dedicated their swords here, honoring both scholarship and strength.

・A Rare Opportunity to Encounter Historic Japanese Swords

These historic blades are not on permanent display.
This limited-time exhibition offers a rare glimpse into a lesser-seen side of Kyoto’s cultural heritage.

・Seasonal Tempura in a Historic Machiya (B Course)

Extend your journey with a refined tempura kaiseki lunch featuring early spring ingredients.
Each piece is served freshly fried at its perfect moment, in the serene setting of a traditional Kyoto townhouse.

・A Delicate Finale with Wagashi and Matcha (C Course)

Conclude your experience at a long-established Kyoto confectioner’s tea salon.
Seasonal sweets are finished by hand after you order, and matcha is prepared just for you — a quiet and elegant ending to your spring day.

*What’s Included (All Courses)*

*Additional Inclusions by Course*

*Not Included (All Courses)*

Your journey begins at Kitano Tenmangu, where over a thousand plum trees quietly mark the arrival of spring. Unlike cherry blossoms, plum blossoms bloom in the lingering chill, offering a softer, more contemplative beauty.

Beyond the blossoms, the shrine reveals a lesser-known side of its history. Once revered by samurai, it became a place where legendary warriors dedicated their swords. During the seasonal exhibition, you’ll encounter these historic blades — a striking contrast to the delicate flowers.

From there, stroll through Kamishichiken, Kyoto’s oldest geisha district, where the atmosphere remains refined and quietly nostalgic.

You may choose to extend your experience with a seasonal tempura kaiseki lunch in a traditional machiya townhouse, and conclude with handcrafted wagashi and matcha — an elegant and unhurried finale to your spring day.