Cherry Blossoms

Japan’s cherry blossoms are so famous that most people we’ve met around the world know about them. And their fame is deserved. We are limiting ourselves to seven pictures, but we have 100s. These were selected because they come mainly from famous Kyoto landmarks.

At the Nanzenji Temple … originally Emperor Kameyama’s retirement home, which became a Zen Temple on his death in 1291

A garden off Sannen Zaka ... as inviting as it looks, it was a path not taken

The bell pavilion at Kiyomizu Temple ... the bell (not visible) is rung 108 times at year’s end like all Buddhist temple bells, but this one is nationally televised

Philosopher’s Path ... on the day we walked it there was a cherry petal blizzard

The balcony at Kiyomizu Temple ... to say “the die is cast” in Japanese you say you “jumped from the balcony at Kiyomizu”

Heian bridge over the canal ... Emperor Kammu, founder of Kyoto in 794, is enshrined behind these trees

Kyoto’s most famous weeping cherry tree in Maruyama Park ... and everyone in Kyoto had their picture taken in front of it on the day we were there!