A quick flight from Vancouver to Narita, I think actually slept through a lot of it. The noise-cancelling headphones I bought at the airport must have really helped. At Narita I caught the train to Kyoto easily - slept some more - and walked from the station to the hotel. Enjoyed the Japanese bath at the hotel before going to bed.
My first mission was `hanami` or viewing cherry blossoms. I was wondering if I was going to be too late, but I need not have worried. They are still out in full force, and you don't have to go far to see some. The receptionist at the hotel recommended Maruyama park, near the Gion area, about a 40 min walk from the hotel. I was up bright and early, and it was a sunny day, and I head out. The first great view is along the river, after only a few minutes walking.
I walk to Maruyama park, but it is too early and there is nobody there yet. Not far from it is Shoren-in temple, so I have a look and check out the Japanese garden inside. Its still very quiet and the little temple and garden are very peacefull, and I hang out for a while.
By the time I leave the temple, there are more people about. From a road nearby I see a giant tori gate, which I know is near the Heian shrine, so I walk towards it.
By now it is quite busy with people, both tourists and Japanese, coming to take part in hanami. In back of the Heian shrine is a park. I remember this from a previous trip to Japan many years ago, and I go inside to see it with the trees in bloom.
Then I continue to the Philosophers walk. This was quite a distance to cover, but it was well worth it. The blossoms along the canal by the walk are spectacular.
I head back to Maruyama park. It is an open area with cherry trees, and tatami mats spread out for people to sit on and picnic. It is very popular. Lots of young people, but also people of all ages and families.There are food stalls all around, like a real festival.
While walking around I often see Japanese dressed in their finest traditional dress, posing for pictures with the cherry blossoms. Mostly girls, but also couples with the guys dressed traditionally as well. I also saw a few people getting wedding pictures taken.
That was definitely enough for the day. I grab some food to go and head back to the hotel and crash.
My first mission was `hanami` or viewing cherry blossoms. I was wondering if I was going to be too late, but I need not have worried. They are still out in full force, and you don't have to go far to see some. The receptionist at the hotel recommended Maruyama park, near the Gion area, about a 40 min walk from the hotel. I was up bright and early, and it was a sunny day, and I head out. The first great view is along the river, after only a few minutes walking.
I walk to Maruyama park, but it is too early and there is nobody there yet. Not far from it is Shoren-in temple, so I have a look and check out the Japanese garden inside. Its still very quiet and the little temple and garden are very peacefull, and I hang out for a while.
By the time I leave the temple, there are more people about. From a road nearby I see a giant tori gate, which I know is near the Heian shrine, so I walk towards it.
By now it is quite busy with people, both tourists and Japanese, coming to take part in hanami. In back of the Heian shrine is a park. I remember this from a previous trip to Japan many years ago, and I go inside to see it with the trees in bloom.
Then I continue to the Philosophers walk. This was quite a distance to cover, but it was well worth it. The blossoms along the canal by the walk are spectacular.
I head back to Maruyama park. It is an open area with cherry trees, and tatami mats spread out for people to sit on and picnic. It is very popular. Lots of young people, but also people of all ages and families.There are food stalls all around, like a real festival.
While walking around I often see Japanese dressed in their finest traditional dress, posing for pictures with the cherry blossoms. Mostly girls, but also couples with the guys dressed traditionally as well. I also saw a few people getting wedding pictures taken.
That was definitely enough for the day. I grab some food to go and head back to the hotel and crash.
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