No Cherry Blossom, No Spring
In spring one sleeps a sleep that knows no dawn… It’s so warm every day that make you almost fall into a doze；make you want to skip work to go cherry blossom viewing. People are flocking to cherry blossom viewing all over Japan. The full bloom announcement was reported in Kyoto on the 2nd April. Living in Kyoto but not going any cherry blossom viewing is definitely a waste. So, I took a full route to enjoy the Prunus × yedoensis!
My route:
Kiyamachi-dori in between Sanjo and Shijo ~ Tetsugaku no Michi (the Philosopher's Walk) started from Ginkakuji Temple ~ Chio-in Temple ~ Gion Shirakawa-dori ~ Kawabata-dori along the Kamogamo River…
No words can describe how beautiful those cherry blossoms were. Take a look on the photos and then you will know.
①Kiyamachi-dori
The contrast of cherry blossoms and weeping willows was perfect. Looking at the flow of cherry blossom petals along the Takasegawa River was so splendid.
②Tetsugaku no Michi (the Philosopher's Walk)
Full bloom cherry blossoms stretched across the canal. Tetsugaku no Michi starts from Ginkakuji Temple to Eikando Temple, so it’s most suited for a stroll.
③Chio-in Temple
You can feel how stylish Chio-in Temple even viewing from a distance. The ladder there appeared in the movie “The Last Samurai” (2003) for a scene. There were so many cherry blossoms around the gate in front of that ladder.
④Gion Shirakawa-dori
There were a flock of people since a photo shooting event of maiko and geisha. It’s impolite to take photos of them for usual, but during this event you could take photos freely. Geishas showed their beauties with beautiful cherry blossoms together.
While viewing the cherry blossoms, I could feel how perfect the colour combination was.
The jet black of temples and shrines; the blue of the sky; the green of the weeping willow; the brown of the cherry blossoms tree trunk, and then the light colours of cherry blossoms… The balance was so good without any conflict. That’s stunning.
I found a nice bamboo craftsmanship shop, which is located in the east of Sanjo Kawaramachi named “公長齋 小菅” (Kohchosai Kosuga). All the products in the shop are made of bamboo. You can feel the beauty and delicate of Japan with your eyes. I bought a pair of chopsticks. Silky texture, very light and with slim heads. Every part is perfect. It’s a nice choice for present or souvenir.
Please enjoy the cherry blossoms when you come to Kyoto! The viewing period is much shorter than autumn foliage, but you can feel the fantastic beauty of cherry blossoms. Even your soul may be taken away by the cherry blossoms, but still try to keep buying souvenirs in your mind.
株式会社KINSHA