When the cherry blossom season comes, the ancient capital will blaze at once. Watching cherry blossom tea parties that enjoy various cherry blossoms such as weeping cherry blossoms, Somei Yoshino, Yamazakura, and double cherry blossoms are also held in various places in the city. The novelist Junichiro Tanizaki is in the "Sasameyuki" theme for the former house in Senba, Osaka, and "the only cherry blossom viewing is limited to Kyoto", the state of the four sisters who appear in the elegant cherry blossoms of Kyoto Was depicted. Here are some of the places where you can enjoy the magnificent cherry blossoms.
A great place to see Hanami in Kyoto 1. Heian Shrine
We are delighted by the architecture and cherry blossoms that are painted in red!
In the novel, Junichiro Tanizaki and Yasunari Kawabata praised Heianzakura's weeping cherry blossoms, saying "I can not say that there is nothing to represent the spring of Gyeonggi with the flowers here." Heian Jingu Shrine was built by Kyoto citizens in 1895 to commemorate the transition to Heian 1100. There are about 150 weeping cherry trees planted in the huge garden of 10,000 tsubo.
Cherry blossoms of Heian Shrine
The three gardens of Higashi-jin-ko, Naka-jin-go and Sai-jin-ko are the best that the 7th generation of Oji Harukai, known as the charisma of the gardening world, built over 20 years since its foundation. masterpiece. In addition, a shelf of weeping cherry blossoms is built so that the sky can not be seen, and you can see the overwhelming scenery. During the cherry blossom season, we also carry out light-up events. In particular, double-red weeping cherry blossoms are darker in color than ordinary cherry blossoms, and when illuminated by light, they become more mysterious.
◆ Heian Shrine (Heianjingu)
Official site
A good place for Hanami in Kyoto 2. Nijo Castle
A number of Japanese gardens of special beauty
The cherry blossoms of Nijo Castle count about 400, 50 varieties. From March to April, it is the number one flower spot in the city, visited by the largest number of citizens and tourists throughout the year.
Nijo Castle Karamon and the Gosho Goto Sakura
2017 is the year of the milestone of 150 years from the repatriation of Taisei. In the grand hall of Nijo Castle Ninomaru Palace in Keio 3 (1867), the 15th General Shoji Tokugawa told that he would "get the government from the Shogunate to the Imperial Court". It was in Kanei 3 (1626) that the form of the Ninomaru Garden looked like now. At that time, it was reported to have been completed under the direction of Kobori Enshu, who served as the author of the Nijo Castle and directed many construction gardens such as the Sendong Imperial Palace.
The cherry blossoms in the castle are concentrated on the Seiryuen area and on the west side of Honmaru. The cherry blossoms of Gosho-Ohageka, which the Emperor Goo Mizuo (Kojinuzu) has watched until he returns to the beauty of so much beauty, also shows a lovely figure by Karamon.
◆ Nijo Castle
Official site
A good place to see Hanami in Kyoto 3. Hirano Shrine
One of the most famous sights in Kyoto lasting a month
Hirano Shrine is a former government company that worships the four-seated god, who resigned from Yamato in the enclave year (end of the 8th century) along with the move of Heian.
Cherry blossoms from Hirano Shrine
Speaking of Hirano Shrine, Shinmon is also a cherry blossom. The origin of what has come to be called the Sakuranomiya is said to be that the Emperor Hanayama planted several thousand cherry trees in the middle of the Heian period. After the devastation of Ohito, Nishinoin Tokiyoshi, the duke (Kuyo) who tried to revive during the Kanei year (1624-44), also planted many cherry blossoms.
In particular, the beauty of the various satoshikura is outstanding. The flavor of the night cherry blossoms is also exceptional, and it is called the "night cherry blossoms of the plain" and is known throughout the country.
◆ Hirano Shrine (Hira no Jinja)
Official site
A good place for cherry blossom viewing in Kyoto 4. Maruyama Park
The beauty of weeping cherry blossoms that symbolizes Gion
Speaking of the first weeping cherry blossoms of Maruyama Park, it is a famous tree that was said to be the best in Kyoto through the Meiji and Taisho eras. Although counting the age of 220 years, it has unfortunately died in 1947.
Weeping cherry blossoms at Maruyama Park
However, now the cherry trees that are carefully grown from the first seed grow into about 90-year-old big trees, and they are approaching the fame of the first generation. Because it is in a good position at the back of Yasaka Shrine, the lighting up period will be a surprise to some, but it is still a great cherry blossom worth seeing.
Maruyama Park is the oldest park in Kyoto City, established in 1886. A fully-fledged leisure garden was completed by the 7th Ogikawa Jibei (the same person who created the three gardens of Heian Jingugu introduced at the top!) In the Taisho era. The whole Maruyama Park, where tea shops and restaurants are scattered around the pond, is a spot where you can enjoy Hanami as well as the taste of Kyoto.
◆ Maruyama Park (Maruyama Koen)
Official site
A great place to see Hanami in Kyoto
"Azakura's Cherry Blossom" that Daichi Hideyoshi loved
A great temple created in に 16 (874). Despite losing most of the pagoda except the five-storied pagoda in the Oyin War, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his son, Hideyori, achieved a remarkable recovery.
Cherry blossoms near Zen temple
By the way, it is famous to see the magnificent rose flower that last year's late Hideyoshi went to Keicho 3 (1598). He went to Zen temple in advance for a preview, and directed the construction of a hall and the renovation of a garden. Furthermore, 700 cherry trees were planted up to the hillside of Mt. On the day, it is said that he had brought about 1300 people, including Kitamasajo, a regular wife, and Tatsumi-kun.
The five-storied pagoda of the National Treasure is the oldest wooden building in Kyoto Prefecture and was erected in the year 951. There are a lot of large cherry blossoms in the vicinity of the Niomon gate and its five-story pagoda. Zen temple that has been a famous spot for cherry blossoms since the Heian period. The cherry blossoms that Taiko loved have continued to bloom beautifully now.
◆ Daiji Temple
Official site
Hall of Hanami 6. Kyoto Temple
The scenery of the cherry blossoms that scatters in the izumimuro pond is excellent
Kanshu-ji is the Ohonyama of Shingon Sozan-kai school. Emperor Tatsumi was founded to receive the mother's bodice. The cherry blossoms bloom along the approach to the gate, and the contrast between the pink color of the cherry blossoms and the white of the moss creates a beautiful scene.
Cherry blossoms of Kanshuji Temple
On the east side of the precinct, Shinden, Shoin, Godaido, and the main hall are lined up, and there is a pavilion-like Kannon temple facing the Himuro Pond. Cherry blossoms that bloom around this Kanon-do are also one of the attractions. It looks like a dream of Utakata, with petals flying around the water surface of the pond as it blows in a spring breeze. It's like the peace of the Heian period.
Even though the temple in the same Yamashina is a great crowd, here Kanshuji is a place where you can enjoy Hanami slowly. As its reputation, you can spend time relaxing and quietly loving cherry blossoms.
◆ Kanshuji Temple
Address: 27-6 Kenji Shujiinnocho, Yamashi-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
A great place for Hanami in Kyoto 7. Ninna-ji
Speaking of the sights of late blooming cherry blossoms, click here
In the “Kyojo Goran” written by the scholars of the Edo period, Kaibara Eken, “The spring is a dozen cherry blossoms in the depths of this precinct, and it is the first cherry blossoms in Otonaka Ogai, and the mountain cherry blossoms of Yoshino. It is written that it is a face-to-face ... many people who see flowers and crowds every day ... ”and it is acclaimed that it is no less inferior than the cherry blossoms of Yoshino.
Against the background of the five-story pagoda of Ninna-ji Temple
Founded by Emperor Uta in Inwa 4 (888). It was also called "Omuro Gosho" because the residence of nobles was called Omuro. If you walk the grounds, you can feel the elegance that is appropriate to the Omuro, including buildings and gardens.
Among them, the late blooming cherry blossoms called Omuro Sakura are famous. This is one of the characteristics of the height of the human height, you can taste the cherry blossoms in full bloom without looking up. In April, crowded with flower viewing guests, the viewing cherry blossom mood is at its peak. The whole temple is surrounded by a very colorful atmosphere.
◆ Ninna-ji Temple
Official site
A good place to see cherry blossoms in Kyoto 8. Gion Shirakawa
Besides the cherry blossoms, you can enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant, Kashiwabashi and Kyoto
On the east side of Nawate Dori, the area facing the Shinbashi Dori and Shirakawa is the area called Gion Shirakawa, which is designated as a traditional building preservation area. In spring, along the flow of Shirakawa lined with restaurants etc., cherry blossom trees show a spectacular appearance.
Cherry blossoms near Gion Kotohashi (Tatsumibashi)
The number of cherry blossoms is about 40. There are not many, but you can see the figure of Maiko who walks on the cobbled road, which is the best spot to enjoy Kyoto's emotions.
That Yosano Akiko also sings the song, "Sakura Tsukiya, who visits Gion to Shimizu, tonight. Maruyama Park, Yasaka Shrine, Kodai-ji Temple, San Neizaka, and Kiyomizu-dera are popular flower viewing courses from that time. There is no doubt that "Tominato Fujin" enjoyed Gion's night cherry blossoms.
Everything is special here, such as the lighting of the restaurant and the Daimyojin. In particular, Tsubakibashi is a great photo spot, and it is tempting to take pictures of cherry blossom trees and Shirakawa here, as if everyone is sure. It is a point without a mistake that you can taste the old Japan good mood.
Photo: Akira Nakata
