Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto

Kyoto was the first town we visited on our holiday and a perfect start to the trip.  The cherry blossoms were in full bloom, the beauty of Japan's first capital's old architecture and lovely kimono seduced us.  We stayed in Nagomiyado Towa Ryokan in one of the back streets of Kyoto, our first experience of tatami matts, slipper etiquette and eating traditional breakfast on the floor tables.

Prior to leaving Australia I booked tickets to Miyako Odori – Cherry Blossom Dance (geisha music and dance performance) which started in 1872 a feature of spring in Kyoto which only runs for the month of April at the Gion Kobu.  Geiko and Maiko perform the traditional stylised music and dance performance you can either sit on chairs or matts. 

We loved exploring East Gion district walking along the Philosophers Walk and the meandering streets of old Kyoto - lots of nice shops, tea houses, women wearing kimono, cherry blossom ice-cream, green tea cream pastries and trinkets.

Rice paper screens and tatami matt floors

House robes and slippers in the Nagomiyado Towa Ryokan

Traditional breakfast - fish, boiling tofu and pickles took us awhile to get used to sitting on the floor.

Interesting bento boxes

Philosopher's Walk famous for its cherry blossom in spring follows the canal at the base of the Higashiyama  (Eastern Mountains)

Lots of cute shops

'Kimono' girl on the mobile

Willow cherry blossom

Kinkaku-ju: the golden temple

Shrine in the grounds of Kinkaku-ju.

Nijo Castle built by the Tokugawa Shogun.
The inner Ninomaru palace is wooden with squeaky floors to warn of approach.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple is 1000yrs old has a nail-less verandah 

Washing place at the base of Kiyomizu-dera

Green tea and sweets

Deva Gate at Kiyomizu Temple

Cobbled streets of East Gion - Ninen-zaka

Udon noodle house in East Gion

Hollander being dressed in Kimono layers in our cultural experience

The 3 metre long obi

Good luck messages cast aside at Yaska-Jinga Buddist temple.

Ringing the bell for luck at the Yasaka Shrine

Main river through Kyoto

'Sushi cats' in Kyoto market street - Nishiki Market.

Gion Kaburenjo Theater

Maiko - apprentice Geisha 

Geiko preparing tea before the dance performance

Inside the old theatre

Yasaka Pagoda in Gion

Oren making vegetarian food in a local home one of the cultural experiences.

Cute Kitty food