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Submission for the 'Discover Freedom' Travel Writing and Photography Contest by Phan Thu Nga, experiencing cherry blossom viewing in Japan.
Walking under Cherry Blossoms
I can't recall when I fell in love with Japanese culture, from manga comics in my childhood to colorful kimonos and cherry blossoms... always drawing me to that land of rich cultural heritage. One of my greatest desires was to wear a kimono while walking under cherry blossoms in Japan, also known as hanami, and I finally embarked on this 'once in a lifetime' trip in late March, early April, when the sun was shining.
Dating back to the late 8th century Nara period, cherry blossom viewing, or hanami, is a familiar activity for the Japanese every spring. The delicate pink or white flowers that bloom for just one week are considered a symbol of the nation. If you were a flower, please be a cherry blossom. If you were a person, please be a samurai.
In Japan, cherry blossoms bloom from south to north and only last for about a week, so I had to predict the blooming time based on past years' schedules. Luckily, I timed it right and got to experience the various shades of those fragile flowers. The website http://www.japan-guide.com/ updates the cherry blossom blooming calendar each year and predicts the blooming time for the following year. Additionally, this website provides a lot of useful information about traveling in Japan, which is very helpful when planning a self-guided tour.
Before departure, I purchased a JR Pass for my trip because I planned to travel extensively using the shinkansen. The JR Pass allows short-term tourists unlimited use of various JR trains, buses, and ferries, including the shinkansen, except for Nozomi, Mizuho trains, and JR Hakata ferry to Busan (South Korea) during its validity period (7, 14, or 21 consecutive days).
As I was traveling alone and didn't speak Japanese, the internet was essential for navigation and translation. Three days before my flight, I ordered a 3G SIM card. You just need to select the SIM type, number of days, delivery location (airport or hotel), pay by credit card, and receive the order number. The website also provides a map guiding you to the SIM pickup location, very convenient.
The 3G SIM card I ordered had a 1GB data limit and was valid for 14 days.
The first thing I did after arriving at Narita Airport was to pick up the SIM card at the post office inside the airport. Just show the order number, and you'll receive it. Note that they operate from 8 a.m. onwards. Then, I went to the B1 floor to collect my JR Pass. When I bought it in Vietnam, I received a confirmation paper, which I used to collect the pass. You can choose the activation date as the same day or any other day of your journey.
With the JR Pass in hand, I boarded the Narita Express train straight to central Tokyo and began my journey.
Day 1: Chidorigafuchi Park, Yasukuni Shrine, Harajuku (Tokyo)
Chidorigafuchi Park, located near the Imperial Palace, is one of the most beautiful cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo. What I love most is sitting in a boat surrounded by moats around Edo Castle, admiring the blossoms from a different perspective, especially in the evening when the park is beautifully lit up. So, I decided to enjoy it both during the day and at night.
How to get there: Take the subway to Kudanshita station.
Up close with cherry blossoms
Adjacent to the park is Yasukuni Shrine, where a cherry blossom festival is currently taking place with many activities and delicious food. After an afternoon stroll and cherry blossom viewing, I headed to Harajuku for dinner. Here, there are colorful and unique fashion stores, especially Takeshita Street, considered a paradise for young people and fashion enthusiasts.
Returning to Chidorigafuchi Park in the evening with two friends living in Tokyo, we rented a boat together for 800 yen/30 minutes. Each boat can accommodate a maximum of 3 people and only accepts guests until 7:30 PM.
Boating amidst cherry blossoms
Day 2: Meguro River (Tokyo)
Also one of the most beautiful cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo with over 800 trees along the banks of the Meguro River, when they all bloom together, it creates a scene like a fairyland.
How to get there:
Take the subway to Nakameguro station.
Cherry blossom festivals are held everywhere
I prepared early to dress in the most beautiful kimono.
The feeling of wearing a kimono under cherry blossoms is indescribable. If you love Japanese culture, or want to immerse yourself in a beautiful scene like a painting, or a slow-motion movie, you should experience that feeling at least once. Along the banks of the river, there are also performances, games, and interesting activities during the cherry blossom season.
Feels like a slow-motion movie...
Day 3: Kamo River, Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater, Gion, Pontocho (Kyoto)
Leaving the bustling capital Kyoto on the shinkansen, I arrived at the ancient capital of Kyoto.
Upon arrival, I learned about the Miyako Odori performance being held, so I abandoned all other itineraries and hurried to the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater to buy tickets. The Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater, built in 1873 in the heart of the historic Gion district, hosts the Miyako Odori performance by Geisha and Maiko, roughly translated as 'The Dance of the Capital,' every April. Luckily, I managed to purchase one of the last tickets for the final performance of the day, as it's quite challenging to witness Geisha performances firsthand.
Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater
While waiting for the show, I strolled along the Kamo River, where cherry blossoms were also in full bloom.
Tickets for the Miyako Odori performance
Easily spotting girls and boys gracefully strolling in traditional kimonos to admire the cherry blossoms
Shades of pink and white blossoms
And finally, it's showtime! The Miyako Odori performance begins. Dozens of youthful Maiko, beautifully adorned in colorful kimonos with intricate darariobi sashes, perform exquisite dances to the sounds of traditional music, while the Geisha exude elegance and grace. The program features multiple performances with spectacular lighting effects, sound, and stagecraft, keeping the audience mesmerized, so the 50 minutes fly by quickly. Photography or filming isn't allowed during the performance, so I only captured images of the stage as keepsakes.
The performance stage is elaborately arranged
After the show, I wandered the streets of Gion and Pontocho, admiring the ancient streets preserved for centuries, while trying to catch a glimpse of the Geisha and Maiko. I discovered that even on the streets, they walk very fast, impossible to catch up or stop them. Perhaps they fear being surrounded by tourists wanting photos and not being able to continue their journey.
Day 4: Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nishi Hongan-ji Temple, Mibu-dera Temple, Nishiki Market, Philosopher’s walk, Kiyumizu Temple (Kyoto)
Early morning, I took a bus to Fushimi Inari Shrine. Nestled at the foot of Mount Inari in southern Kyoto, the primary significance of the deity Inari is as the god of rice, later regarded as a patron of business. Fushimi Inari Shrine is famous for its path lined with hundreds of Torii gates, some of which were donated by merchants, with the most expensive gate valued at over 1 million yen.
The path amidst hundreds of Torii gates
Nishi Hongan-ji, the Western Hongan Temple located near Kyoto Station, is the head temple of the Jodo Shinshu Hongan-ji sect, a typical temple of the ancient capital and a registered UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Mibu-dera Temple was founded in 991 by the monk Kaiken of Miidera Temple. Anyone familiar with the Shinsengumi surely recognizes these two places. At Mibu Temple, there are tombstones for soldiers and a statue of the Shinsengumi leader, Kondou Isami.
I visited Nishiki Market for a late lunch. The market stretches along a street about 400 meters long, with many shops offering a variety of goods from traditional foods to souvenirs. Be sure to try the tofu-based dishes and various mochi here, as well as watch the fascinating mochi-pounding demonstrations using traditional methods.
The Philosopher’s Walk runs along a canal with hundreds of cherry blossom trees in full bloom, attracting thousands of visitors annually. It is named after Nishida Kitaro, one of the country's most famous philosophers, who walked this path daily to Kyoto University.
Philosopher’s walk
Kiyomizu Temple shines brilliantly at night, enhancing the beauty of hundreds of cherry blossom trees. Founded in the late 8th century, the temple is built entirely of wood without the use of any nails. It is renowned for its stunning scenery throughout the year due to the abundance of cherry and maple trees. Additionally, the temple is believed to be very sacred, so travelers often pray here for longevity, love, and academic success.
Enchanting Kiyomizu Temple at night
Day 5: Kinkaku-ji Temple, Arashiyama, Maruyama Park (Kyoto)
The Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji, is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, distinguished by its three-story Kinkaku (Golden Pavilion) reflecting in Kyoko-chi Pond.
How to get there: take bus number 101, 102, 204, or 205, or train to Kitaoji Station, ticket price 400 yen.
Glittering golden layers
Arashiyama, located in western Kyoto, is a vast area with many stunning landscapes such as the Togetsukyo Bridge, bamboo forest, Tenryuji Temple, but my favorite spot here is the Saga Scenic Railway. The train takes visitors deep into the mountains, along the Hozu River, to admire the breathtaking mountain and river scenery amidst the cherry blossom season. Especially, you should try various dishes made from tofu here, each dish is unique and delicious in its own way, and extremely diverse.
How to get there: take the train to Saga-Arashiyama Station, ticket price 240 yen.
Misty mountain and river scenery during cherry blossom season
Maruyama Park is located next to Yasaka Shrine in the heart of Kyoto. During cherry blossom season, the park hosts festivals with many special traditional foods and games. Many people also choose this place to organize enjoyable cherry blossom viewing parties. In the middle of the park stands a large weeping cherry tree, which is illuminated at night, looking both majestic and romantic.
How to get there: take bus number 100 or 206.
Day 6: Iwakuni (Yamaguchi), Itsukushima Shrine (Miyajima), Hiroshima
The small city of Iwakuni lies to the south of Honshu Island, renowned for the Kintaikyo Bridge. The bridge consists of 5 arches spanning the Nishiki River with distinctive architecture, while hundreds of cherry blossom trees line its banks, attracting numerous visitors from afar.
How to get there: From Kyoto, take the shinkansen to Iwakuni city, then take a bus or train to Kintaikyo Bridge.
Kintaikyo Bridge
The unique Itsukushima Shrine features a Torii gate built in the sea, appearing to float when the tide rises. Arriving at low tide allowed me to walk out to the Torii gate. There are many deer around the shrine, very gentle, strolling, sleeping, or politely begging for food. Here, the specialty dish is grilled oysters, with a variety of flavors to choose from, so don't forget to give it a try. In the evening, the local people also organize free traditional cultural performances. As I returned, the tide had risen, and the shrine was illuminated and reflected in the water, resembling a magical underwater palace.
How to get there: Take a ferry from Hiroshima, there are JR ferries available, and JR Pass can be used for this leg of the journey.
That evening, I stayed in Hiroshima, not forgetting to try the specialty dish okonomiyaki and visit the Peace Memorial Park commemorating the 1945 atomic bomb.
Day 7: Mount Yoshino (Nara), Osaka
When people ask me about my favorite and most beautiful spot on this cherry blossom viewing trip, I will not hesitate to answer Mount Yoshino. And when they ask me to describe this mountain, I will call it 'a pink mountain.' True to its reputation as the best cherry blossom viewing spot in the land of cherry blossoms, almost the entire mountain is covered in shades of pink and white from 30,000 cherry trees. The mountain is divided into 4 areas: Shimo Senbon at the foot, Naka Senbon in the middle, followed by Kami Senbon, and finally Oku Senbon at the summit. To ascend the mountain, you can take a bus from the foot of the mountain near Yoshino station (only available during cherry blossom season and only to the Naka Senbon area), or enjoy the scenery by ropeway, but there is only a short section at the foot of the mountain. I chose to hike up the mountain to see the most views. The trail was deserted because almost everyone took the bus up to the summit and then walked down, making me feel like I was in a Glass Mask story and might meet a fairy.
The colors of flowers spread across the mountainside
On the mountain, there are Yoshimizu Temple, Chikurin-in Temple, Kinpusen-ji Temple, and Nyoirin Shrine for you to admire.
How to get there: From Hiroshima to Osaka and then take the JR train to Yoshino station.
That evening, I stayed in Osaka and spent the entire night exploring the culinary delights of Namba district with dishes like Takoyaki Teppanyaki, Kushikatsu...
The most famous crab in Osaka
Finishing the journey, I took the shinkansen back to Tokyo to catch the flight back to Hanoi, concluding the cherry blossom viewing trip with wonderful memories, and saving money to return here in the autumn foliage season.
Check out more articles about cherry blossoms:
Explore the cherry blossom viewing schedule for January and February in Japan
Discover 11 limited edition cherry blossom products exclusive to Japan
