【Travelers’ Notes】Revel in Kyoto’s Cherry Blossom Splendor

Written by TRAVELER Luxe Travelers’ Notes Wei, Vicky Hung

Vibrant blooms adorn Kyoto’s fresh greenery. Under the clear blue sky, snow-like cherry blossoms flutter, pale pink rhododendrons peek through thick moss, wisteria drapes across trellises, peach blossoms dot the landscape, deep yellow kerria vines sprawl along the water’s edge, and camellias in varying shades punctuate mossy lawns; 8 iconic Kyoto flower spots offer walks amid floral shadows and strolls accompanied by birdsong, allowing you to immerse yourself in the city’s most beautiful season amid spring’s riot of colors.

● Strolling Through Kyoto’s Spring
Daigo-ji Temple – Dazzling Cherry Blossoms
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Daigo-ji Temple is also known as the “Temple of Cherry Blossoms.” Since the Heian period, it has been famed as the “Flower Shrine of Daigo.” The temple complex comprises over eighty structures built along the mountain slopes, divided into Upper and Lower Daigo areas. With approximately eight hundred cherry trees on the grounds, every year after the spring equinox, under the clear blue sky, weeping cherries, Kawazu cherries, double-flowered cherries, Somei Yoshino cherries, and wild cherries bloom gradually, painting the mountainside in light pinks and soft reds, creating an extraordinarily splendid sight. In 874 AD, the monk Kūkai, under the divine guidance of the Yokoo Myojin deity on Mt. Daigo, discovered the sacred spring “Daigo Water” and erected a hall to enshrine a statue of Kannon, marking the founding of Daigo-ji Temple. Subsequent expansions and consolidations established the temple’s scale by 1115.

In 1598, the powerful warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi built the Sanpoin Garden in Lower Daigo, planting over seven hundred cherry trees and hosting an exquisitely luxurious cherry blossom viewing party called the “Daigo no Hanami.” He invited his son Hideyori, his official wife Nene, his concubine Yodo-dono, the ladies of the Third Bailey, and the wives of various daimyo—over thirteen hundred people in total—making the event unprecedented in scale. This tradition continues to this day, with the temple hosting the “Toyotomi Hanami Parade” on the second Sunday of every April. Participants dress in resplendent costumes from the Momoyama period, performing music and dance under the cherry blossoms to recreate this historically famous hanami spectacle.

● Spring Culinary Arts: Savoring Kyoto’s Seasonal Flavors
SOU’SOU at Kama – An Unconventional Tea Gathering
Turning into a lively alley off Kyoto’s Shin kyogoku Street, it’s hard not to notice the unique patterned designs in the display windows—traditional yet modern kimonos, Kyoto accessories, and even children’s wear. Upon closer inspection, you’ll realize they all belong to the SOU’SOU brand. With the concept of “creating new Japanese culture,” SOU’SOU blends the artisanal craftsmanship of traditional techniques with contemporary, diverse design. Starting with tabi socks, the brand has reimagined traditional kimonos and expanded into various home decor and lifestyle products, aiming to reintegrate Japan’s long-standing craftsmanship traditions into the daily lives of modern Japanese people, allowing them to appreciate their beauty. SOU’SOU at Kama is a Japanese tea shop designed to let everyone enjoy the globally recognized art of the tea ceremony without any barriers.