Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom) in Kyoto

 

Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom festival) in spring is one of the representative images of Japan. It is celebrated in many places around the globe (like in Washington DC) but when you are in Japan, Kyoto is arguably the most well-known place to view cherry blossom. For those who are not that familiar with Kyoto (other than the environmental treaty known as Kyoto Protocol), it has functioned as the cultural and historic crossroads of Japan and was the capital from 794 to 1868. 

Philosopher's Path

Last weekend I embarked on a day trip to Kyoto. It takes about 30 minutes to reach Kyoto from Osaka by Hankyu-Kyoto train line. The entire area literally blossoms in the spring. Blossoms can also be seen along the Kamogawa River. I started my tour with a walk along the Philosopher's Path, lined with beautiful cherry trees and filled with pulsating live traditional music.

Honenin Temple

I spent almost ten hours, but felt one needs more than a week to do justice to the grace of ancient Kyoto. A serene landscape with raked pebble gardens, the narrow winding alleys leading up to the temple, the sentient architecture of a temple roof and magnificently preserved old Japanese houses. Meet the exquisitely dressed Geishas at a traditional tea ceremony, or spot the tripping steps of a Maiko (an apprentice Geisha) crossing a street in Gion (Geisha district).

Shimogamo Shrine (UNESCO Site)

Kyoto has lot more to offer. More than 2000 temples and shrines, of which 17 are marked as UNESCO’s World Heritage sites, the classical Japanese gardens, the Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho), Nijo Castle, craftsmen’s workshops, tea houses, dainty Japanese cuisines and shops full of locally crafted souvenirs.

Quiz for you. We often use shrine and a temple interchangeably, can you tell the difference? Two primary religions are practiced in Japan: Shinto is practiced at a shrine and Buddhism is practiced at a temple.