Chasing Cherry Blossoms Mar/Apr 2023

[Quickstatus]

But not much of a car-park though.

I wonder how it would pro-rata as japan has these tiny Kei cars?

 

[rbjhan]

Next morning, breakfast at Sukiya.


*I've noticed hotel breakfasts nowadays starting at 2000 Yen or something. Unless I'm staying in a ryokan, generally I don't want to pay for that! In Sukiya or similar fast food places you get a good meal for a quarter of it. The above was 620 iirc.

The day before in the info office, they published Sakura info and apparently it's full blossoms almost everywhere in Kyoto!
I was a bit suspicious but not going to dismiss it without research
Rented a bike and off I went.

*Kyoto Metro is quite simply insufficient. And buses during peak season not fun at all. Cycling is actually a very practical choice.

This was around Kiyomizu-Gojo.


Taken on Matsubara bridge.

 

[Quickstatus]

they published Sakura info

 

[rbjhan]

My first destination was Okazaki Sakura Corridor.
I think the name is clear enough


This was the best sakura I saw in Kyoto city proper.


Sightseeing boats ofc!


Give the Japanese a body of water someone will run a boat tour on it....

Edit, this place was part of the Lake Biwa Canal built in Meiji Era to transport water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto

 

[rbjhan]

Lucky for you I like to record everything!


So on the paper there's a list of all the most famous sakura spots in and around Kyoto.
The placement of that little flower there? Corresponding to the column header, it's indicating the condition of actual cherry flowers.

During sakura season (momoji season as well), there are people sent out to check on those places every few days and updating this list. So, if you go to Kyoto during this time and you want to see sakura, first thing is visit this office and get hold of this paper!

As you can see from pic above, most places their flowers were in the "満開" column which means full bloom, pronounced ManKai.

Edit, the other two columns are any special events ongoing and how to get there. Afaik it's only available in Japanese.

 

[Quickstatus]

info office

Tourist info offices? - where are they located.

I was a bit suspicious

Of?

 

[rbjhan]

Tourist info offices? - where are they located.

Inside Kyoto Station Building - which is why it should be everyone's mandatory first stop!

 

[rbjhan]

Heian Shrine
This place is famous for late blooming cherry trees, not the more popular Yoshino Somei.
So if you are a bit late for the main blossoms, here and Ninna-ji is where to go!






Opposite Heian Shrine there's a park, since it was Saturday there were some performances going on.


Bought some grilled gyutan and Omi-beef gyoza.

 

[rbjhan]

Tourist info offices? - where are they located.


Of?

Well this relates to last year's momoji info.
They were waaaay off imho.
So I didn't believe them when they said everywhere is full bloom - and I was right!

 

[Quickstatus]

What triggers the blooms? Is it temperature?

 

[rbjhan]

Next stop, Keage Incline.

This was once a cargo railway but had since been discontinued and now open to public.
Cherry trees were planted along the railway so it became quite a famous sakura spot.

I can imagine it being very beautiful during sakura season, if there weren't that many people!


Honestly, this was a bit ridiculous...


I had to really play with the camera to get some shots...


Plus, the flowers were already past full bloom I think, many green leaves visible....

 

[rbjhan]

What triggers the blooms? Is it temperature?

Er, flowers bloom in Spring...I am no expert but temperature must have something to do with it

 

[rbjhan]

Next stop was Philosohper's Path 哲学の道
.
Yeah this was mistake on my part. Should have seen it coming after Keage incline - more people and less flowers!
I could hardly ride my bike on the path...

Plus not much flowers left...



Nishida Kitaro would not be able to practise any kind of meditation if he's here now...

 

[rbjhan]

I had a very late lunch at Yayoiken.


Then went into the Traveler's Factory Kyoto shop, this time finally bought their Kyoto limited edition.

 

[rbjhan]

Back to the hotel in the afternoon, time for another soak

Made dinner reservation at Suehiro, a restaurant specialised in fugu, aka puffer fish.


Sashimi


Fried fugu


Grilled fugu


Shabushabu


Rice soup

 

[rbjhan]

Suehiro is located in a very nice part of Kyoto, between the Kamo River and Takase River.
And you guess it! Lots of cherry trees...


The lighting was kinda making up for the lack of flowers

 

[Quickstatus]

Sakura photos so much better at night. Especially the last one

Are there lots of photographers with tripods?

 

[rbjhan]

Sakura photos so much better at night. Especially the last one

Are there lots of photographers with tripods?

No.
In a lot of (crowded) places this is either clearly banned or you know, Japanese people being polite.

 

[rbjhan]

Two things became clear after the day before.
First, in many parts of Kyoto the cherry blossoms had passed their best viewing.
Second, despite No.1 above, crowds were still crazy.
So, best solution for me was to go outside of Kyoto.

I pick Miidera in Otsu the next day.

From Kyoto station take a slow train to JR Otsukyo station, then changed to Keihan Otsukyo station, take a local Keihan train to Miidera.


*Keihan railways is very useful in Kansai area. If you plan to go there I suggest study their network. As well as Hankyu and Kintetsu Railways.

About 2 mins walk outside Miidera station, there's another part of Lake Biwa Canal.
OMG how could it be this beautiful?!


I had been to Miidera before, in autumn. Honestly didn't pay much attention to this canal at all...

 

[rbjhan]

Niomon Gate of Miidera (the main entrance)


Kondo, the mail hall.
This building is a National Treasure, dates from 1599.



My favourite is Kannondo, on top of a hill. I got a shuin here but forgot to take a picture of the hall ha ha

Next to Kannondo, there's another building...


Here you can pay 2000 Yen for the privilege of having this place all to yourself, for a whole FIVE MINUTES.
Whoever came up with this idea is a genius!
Let me show you the pamphlet for it...


Totally worth it, no?

Well me being a tight cough I didn't pay for it. Instead took out my 45mm lens and shot this.