Snow on the Cherries

We've had some crazy weather here in Kyoto. It snowed yesterday and last night and we woke up this morning to find the city covered in snow. The mountains around the city are all white. I climbed Daimonji-yama to enjoy a last taste of winter. This is the first time I can remember snow falling while the cherries were in bloom.

Here's a picture I took on the way up to Daimonji. If you look closely, you can see the snow on the mountain in the background:


Here's a picture from the trail partway up the Dai. It's a sign warning of the danger of forest fires (probably not much chance of that today):


Here's a picture of snowy Kyoto from the Dai. In the foreground is a "hidoko," which is one of the places where they build the fires to make the giant Chinese character of "dai" (great) in the August fire festival:

Kabuki in Kyoto

Yesterday, I went to kabuki at the Minamiza Theatre in Kyoto. It was great.

A Nice Morning in Gion

Yesterday, I went to kabuki at Minamiza Theatre in Gion. After buying my tickets, I had some time to kill, so I took a walk around Shimbashi in Gion, which is looking great with the cherry blossoms.

Here's the Shirakawa Canal in Shimbashi:


Here's a nice alleyway in Gion:


Here's a crane in the canal:

Kyoto Cherry Blossoms

I took a walk around Shinyodo and Kurodani temples near my house the other day. Some of the trees at these temples are already in full bloom.

Here is a picture of the weeping cherry behind the padoga at Shinyodo:


Here is a shot from the gate at Kurodani:

Early Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto

The cherry blossoms are really early this year. A few trees have already started to bloom. I spotted this tree in bloom today at Nanzen-ji Temple:


Here's a picture of the same tree with the San-mon Gate in the background:

A Capsule Ryokan in Kyoto

Yesterday, I visited a unique new form of accommodation here in Kyoto: a capsule ryokan! On the first floor, it's got capsules with Japanese touches, like tatami mats and sliding shoji doors. On the upper floors, it's got business hotel-like rooms with lots of interesting features. It's close to Kyoto Station and it would make a good base for travel in Kyoto/Kansai.

Here are some pics of the capsules:





It costs Y3500 for a capsule and Y7890 for a private room (for two people). For more information visit their website.

Kurodani (Konkai Komyo-ji)

Yesterday, I was invited to a private tour of Kurodani Temple (properly known as Konkai Komyo-ji). I went with my guide and co-author, Koko. Koko and I recently finished a book for a Japanese publisher about how to explain Japan to foreign visitors. It's intended for anyone in Japan who has to show foreigners around the country. Anyway, yesterday, the abbot of the temple personally guided us around and explained the temple's long history. Here are some shots from the garden of the temple.

Here's the back of the pond:


Here's an overall view of the pond:


Here's Koko in the garden: