It’s hard to believe that we’ve already spent almost three months in Kyoto – the time has passed by as quickly and enchantingly as the cherry blossoms. Cherry blossom trees aren’t just beautiful flowers that bloom for a brief period each year; they hold a significant cultural and historical importance in Japan. From the traditional Hanami parties held annually by Japanese emperors to the countless poems and pictures inspired by their ephemeral beauty, cherry blossoms (or Sakura) are intertwined with Japan’s identity.

We feel incredibly fortunate to have Kyoto as our temporary home while in Japan. This charmingly traditional city boasts countless stunning sightseeing spots that surpass our wildest expectations. Even to Japanese natives, Kyoto holds a special place in their hearts, like Disneyland – a world of its own that never fails to surprise.

When cherry blossom and Kyoto meet together, it is not just about the cascading shades of pink and white, momentarily transforming the traditional and lively street. It’s also about the sense of awe and enchantment that one experiences while standing beneath the blossoming trees.

In Japanese culture, the phrase “Ichigo-ichie” is used to encourage people to cherish every fleeting moment, just as we cherish the cherry blossom before it fades away. During our time in Kyoto, we were truly inspired by this sentiment that we explored nearby cherry blossom as much as possible. It would be our pleasure to share our photos and introduce you to some of the best spots.

The first day of Blossom Peak in Kyoto this year is an unforgettable memory for us. You might be wondering how the “peak” is defined, and usually, the broadcast of the Blossom Peak for each place is updated throughout Japan. However, I can assure you that you won’t miss the first day of peak as the trees will look significantly different from their previous bud condition. As luck would have it, the first day of peak happened to coincide with Jane’s birthday. Everywhere we went felt like a flower party, and our birthday girl was ecstatic. As it was her special day, we had booked tickets for popular sightseeing places weeks in advance. It’s recommended to plan a few weeks ahead based on the blossom forecast, and we were fortunate to unintentionally combine our celebration with nature’s beauty.

The first day of peak was discovered in Arashiyama, located on the west side of Kyoto, which is a popular and delightful place known for its bamboo grove and mountain backdrop. However, it has much more to offer than just that. Arashiyama boasts stunning scenery all year round, but the cherry blossoms are definitely the highlight. You’ll find some of the city’s most remarkable attractions there, including the magnificent Tenryu-ji temple. If you have enough time, take a ride on the Sagano sightseeing tram that travels a little further west to Kameoka. The charming and old-fashioned trains wind their way through the mountains and streams at a leisurely pace, and the cherry blossoms welcome you along the way, making it an excellent experience.

Fushimi Jukkokubune

We celebrated Jane’s birthday afternoon at another cherry blossom site that was quite close to our home in Kyoto. Fushimi Jukkokubune is a must-visit destination during this time of the year. If you’re using public transportation, it’s just a few minutes’ walk from Chushojima station, which is easily accessible from Kyoto via the Keihan Line. The Fushimi area is renowned for its sake brewing company, Gekkeikan (月桂冠), and the brand name is visible throughout the area, including on the charming Jukkokubune boats. In ancient times, these boats were used to transport brewery products and passengers between Kyoto and Osaka. Nowadays, these cargo boats have been converted to tourist cruises and only run from spring to autumn when the cherry blossoms and crimson red leaves are in full bloom. At the end of the canal tour, visitors are guided to climb onto a dam that connects the Fushimi harbor and the Uji River. The lock still serves its original purpose of raising and lowering water levels to assist boats in navigating the uneven canals.

Obtaining tickets for the Jukkokubune boats during the peak season can be quite challenging. Our experience has taught us that being an early bird always pays off, but it’s not a big deal even if tickets are no longer available. As you make your way down the canal, either by boat or a leisurely stroll, you will be treated to a stunning pastel-colored tunnel on both sides of the river. It’s a sight that you will surely cherish and remember for a lifetime.

Sewaritei

If you’re looking for a more official place to gather with family and friends, this Sakura tunnel stretching 1.4 kilometers is the perfect festival spot. Sewaritei park is located half an hour by Keihan-line train from central Kyoto. With cherry trees blooming vibrantly, local people and tourists gather here to admire the exquisite blossoms. Local food and drink stalls are set up near the Sakura tunnel, and picnic blankets are spread out across the park. It’s a delightful atmosphere that’s perfect for spending quality time with loved ones.

Kyoto Heart Area

It’s widely agreed that viewing cherry blossom is especially awesome when the temples, shrines and castle are set as the background. It is indeed the most unique experience to fuse them together as if it were the most natural thing in the world. With some of Japan’s most stunning sights, Kyoto has beautiful five-story Pagoda and gardens scattered all around the city and naturally make them appearance as an embodiment of the aesthetics of an older Japan. Whether you’re visiting popular spots like the To-ji Temple, Nijo Castle, and Kyomizu-dera in downtown area, or exploring the outskirts where the Byodo-in Temple is located near where we live, they all look even more divine with the delicate veil of cherry blossoms.

Nara

Although Nara is not located within the Kyoto prefecture, a half-an-hour train ride between Nara and Kyoto allows people to round their trip out easily. As the first permanent capital of Japan, Nara is home to some of the country’s most significant and rewarding attractions. Despite its small size, Nara manages to pack in numerous must-see sights that can be explored in a single day trip. We have had the pleasure of visiting Nara three times so far, and each time we are still amazed by its beauty. For this particular introduction, we focused solely on experiencing Nara’s cherry blossoms, but we plan to highlight more of its heritage in future blog posts.

Nara-Koen is the focal point of many of Nara’s top attractions and is just a short walk from the Kintetsu Line station. The park is home to about 1200 deer. They are not only the most attractive hosts but also considered as sacred messengers of the gods. They roam the park and surrounding area in search of biscuits from visitors. Most of them are calm and polite that will bow to visitors in exchange for the biscuits, especially when visitors bow to them first. However, it’s important to be careful and know how to say no to them when you’re running low on biscuits or need a break from their constant attention. Additionally, the park is studded with 1700 cherry trees, just outnumbering the deer by a few hundreds. During the cherry blossom season, thousands of people flock to the park to welcome spring under a beautiful canopy of delicate pink flowers.

Look around

It can be overwhelming to process all the information on where and how to enjoy cherry blossom season, especially in a foreign country where language barriers and the need to make reservations can add to the stress. I can relate to this feeling. However, my advice is to keep an open mind. Cherry trees are not limited to popular tourist spots in Japan, but can be found everywhere, just like pine trees or other common plants. Even if you can’t get tickets for the Jukkokubune boats or feel overwhelmed by crowds in places like Gion Shijo, there are many other places where you can still enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossoms in a quieter setting. You may even find a hidden gem that feels like it’s just for you. For example, even our own balcony with a view of the cherry trees during laundry time has turned out to be a comfortable and pleasant experience.

The End

As the cherry blossoms enter their final phase, their small and delicate flowers start to gracefully flutter down from the trees. This stage is often considered to be the most beautiful, as the white and pink petals gently drift to the ground.

In closing this blog, I would like to share a passage from Jane’s journal, and hope that her words can help keep the memory of this experience fresh in your mind.

“When the wind struck the delicate and fragile cherry blossoms, a pink hurricane started, “It’s snowing” we exclaimed with astonishment. Blossoms landed softly on the ground, joined by the others. It was a scene of fleeting beauty and I felt as if it was once in a life time chance, which in Japanese called “Ichigo-ichi”. I closed my eyes, absorbing the beauty of that moment”