Cherry blossoms in full bloom at night, bewitchingly gorgeous

 

 

In Kyoto, cherry blossoms were in full bloom on March 30. Cherry blossoms can be enjoyed in various places for a week to 10 days, with a mixture of early and late bloomer.

 

Though beautiful they are in the daytime, but cherry blossoms at night have a unique, bewitching, and almost madcap charm. Let us introduce you to three famous nighttime cherry blossom viewing spots.

 

(1) Gion Shirakawa Street




A narrow east-west street on the north side of Shijo-dori, the main street of Gion, one of Kyoto's most popular entertainment districts. The street is lined with machiya (traditional townhouses) and has a stone-paved path. Here, about 40 cherry trees over the Shirakawa River, an old irrigation canal, are beautifully illuminated.

 

(2) Maruyama Park



One of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Kyoto. The 80-year-old weeping cherry trees are especially famous as "Gion no Yozakura" (night cherry blossoms in Gion). The lighting of the cherry blossoms was suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to the Corona disaster. This year, the lights are turned on for the first time in three years. The daytime is beautiful, but at night, when the lights are on, it is hauntingly beautiful.

Night stalls were open, and many visitors enjoyed eating, drinking, and viewing the cherry blossoms even on a chilly night.



 

 

(3) Kiyamachi Dori

Kiyamachi Dori is another representative of Kyoto's entertainment district. The cherry blossoms over the Takase River are beautiful.




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