BEAUTIFUL KYOTO DURING JAPAN’S STUNNING SAKURA SEASON

Kyoto, historically, is best known for being the former Imperial capital of Japan for more than one thousand years. But Kyoto is sooo much more than that.

Its history is what it is built upon, but it is a place where modern trends go harmoniously hand in hand with its culture that is rich with tradition. Within Kyoto, you’ll find majestic iconic sites, charming little winding streets, geisha scurrying past, and droves of tourists, there, at the same time as I was, and for the same reason- to revel in the beauty of the Sakura (the cherry blossoms that Kyoto has become famous for). 

While I was there, the first week of April, 2019, the weather was uncharacteristically cold (low 40’s), so the blooms had been late in reaching their 100% peak. But we managed to find tons that were already in full bloom, while wandering through different streets, visiting stunning temples, and on our way to traditional kaiseki lunches, which are an amazing part of Japanese culture and require a post all on their own. This experience was entirely enhanced by Amy and Janet, who are not only sweet, kind friends, but who are also Japan locals, and who helped explain everything, and shared my enthusiasm for absolutely all that we saw!!!  Which in five days, I really feel was some of the best of Kyoto….

The boutique hotel we stayed in, AOI Kyoto, on the bank of the Kamo river, was on one of the prettiest streets in Kyoto, lined with tons of Sakura trees and pretty little street lamps that illuminate the pink blooms at night. There is a sweet little river that runs under the trees, and a ton of good restaurants and fun bars on this street, so even if you aren’t able to get accommodations here, be sure to take a long walk along the street at some point during your stay.

Our hotel room also had a gorgeous view in the opposite direction, overlooking the river, which is also lined with Sakura trees. They drip down over the river bank pathway, and you can see people strolling and biking under the flowering trees in the mornings. It’s also a very picturesque spot, with varying trees of different shades of pink. Awesome!

As I was only there for 5 full days, and wanted to make the most of it, we planned to hit the main attractions earlier in the morning, so that we had plenty of time to see them while they were still uncrowded, and before our kaiseki lunch reservations. In Sakura season, you absolutely must make reservations ahead of time, as the good places book up quickly and do not take walk-ins. Amy set us up weeks in advance with lunches and most dinners every day.

After our lunches, we left the afternoons open to stroll around and decide spontaneously what we wanted to see in the evening. This worked out great, as some of the sites were so incredibly enhanced by the light of the setting sun. Like the Kinkaku-ji (or the Golden Temple), which should be a must-see during the ‘golden hour’.

Among the top sights that I loved the most, were Kyomizu Dera, Nishiki Market, the Weeping Sakura at Kodai-ji, Gion District, Arashiyama Park and the 1000 little statues of Otagi Nenbutsu-ji. The walk to Otaji-Nenbutsu-ji, itself, was stunning. You can get there from Arashiyama, and not many people know about it this incredible art garden & temple. You walk through a very traditional town on a quiet, but incredibly picturesque street to get there. Even Amy had not been, and was blown away by the beauty of it all.

Kaiseki – the tradition of dining

If you are fortunate enough to go to Kyoto, you should definitely try a traditional kaiseki meal at least once, whether it be lunch or dinner. Prepare to spend at least two hours there, as each course is carefully and thoughtfully prepared and presented in front of you, by the master chefs behind the counter. We ate kaiseki every day for lunch, and it was an amazing experince to see the different presentations of similar courses that follow the traditional ‘standard’. Some courses are pure works of art, and they will awaken your tastebuds and introduce them to entirely new flavor combinations.

SPOTTED!

The geisha of Kyoto are very elusive creatures. Rarely seen anymore, they don’t like being photographed and are incredibly quick and lightfooted to get to their appointments (not an easy feat when you’re walking in tight kimono and sandals), taking side streets to avoid the people. This particular girl was a Maiko— a young geisha apprentice, evident by the long obi and pokkori – high wooden sandals that experienced geisha no longer wear. We were walking home from a really late dinner in a drizzle in Gion and caught sight of her hurrying by….

Until next time…… Aloha, Kyoto!

DAPHNE’S TOP TEN PLACES NOT TO MISS IN KYOTO:

1. Kiyomizu-dera Temple – take Ninenzaka lane to get there. This was my favorite little shopping lane in Kyoto. The street itself is picturesque. Also, try to do this early, as both the street and temple get extremely crowded in a short amount of time. The crowds can be fun- you can see lots of tourist girls dressed in colorful, traditional Japanese Kimono, strolling down the streets.
2. Arashiyama Garden & Bamboo Grove – get there early! The bamboo grove gets especially packed very soon.
3. Otagi Nenbutsu-ji (1,000 little statues) – walk there from Arashiyama. The walk itself is gorgeous, and the statues will undoubtedly make you smile hard.
4. Kinkaku-ji (Golden Temple) – go at sunset to see it shine!
5. Kyamachi-dori Street – beautiful, lush, sakura-lined street
6. Walk the street that runs along the little Shirakawa River – go early in the morning for a more peaceful, uncrowded experience!
7. Gion district – for giesha spotting and beautiful, traditional shopfronts.
8. Nishiki Market – octopops! This bustling narrow market street was the most exciting part of Kyoto! You will love all the unique booths with eye-poping goods.
9. Kodai-ji Temple – sit peacefully and reflect on your life on the large wooden deck under the weeping Sakura. It’s magical.
10. The basement (food) level of Takashimaya – do NOT miss the sweets section- it’s mind-blowing! Make sure you taste some sakura mochi. Heaven on your tongue.

TOP KYOTO TIPS IN PLANNING YOUR TRIP:

• If you are able to go during cherry blossom season, do it! These fleeting fragile blossoms appear only once a year, and the way they sprinkle-coat the already beautiful city, is a magnificent sight, and a once-in-a-lfetime experience you should witness.
• Hit the streets early (before 8am) to beat the crowds and experience the Sakura blooms and charming streets in total serenity.
• Walk the Gion district later at night (10pm) to also miss the crowds, and have a chance at spotting a true geisha on her way to an appointment or home from one.
• Do not miss taking a stroll along the Kamo River and the Shirokawa River, which in my opinion were the most beautiful sakura-lined streets in all of Kyoto.
• Make reservations at least once for a traditional Kaiseki dining experience (lunch or dinner). It may run you upwards of $60 for lunch (without sake), but so worth it!