Travel Note of Kyoto for Cherry Blossoms Part 7: Nijo Castleand Kiyomizu-dera Temple etc.

[Introduction]

I traveled to Kyoto to view cherry blossoms for three days and two nights. Although the weather was not always good, cherry blossoms in Kyoto were marvelous. In this article, I will write about Honmanji Temple, Nijo Castle, Shinsen-en and Kiyomizu-dera Temple as part of Day 2.

[Series of articles]
* Day 1 (1) Heian Jingu Shrine and Okazaki Canal (Jikkokubune Boat Ride)
* Day 1 (2) Keage Incline and Nanzenji Temple
* Day 1 (3) Philosopher’s Path
* Day 1 (4) Takenaka Inari Shrine, Munetada Shrine, Shinnyodo Temple and Konkai Komyoji Temple
* Day 1 (5) Maruyama Park, Nene Road, Yasaka Pagoda and Kiyomizu-dera Temple (evening illuminations)
* Day 2 (1) Kyoto Gyoen and Kyoto Imperial Palace
* Day 2 (2) Honmanji Temple, Nijo Castle, Shinsen-en and Kiyomizu-dera Temple [This article]
* Day 2 (3) To-ji Temple (including evening illuminations) and Rikuson-no Shrine
* Day 3 (1) Arashiyama (Bamboo Grove), Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, Gion Shirakawa and Kenninji Temple

[Travel Date]
2016.04.05-07

[Main Part]

I left Kyoto Gyoen and Kyoto Imperial Palace and moved to the next destination.

Honmanji Temple

The next destination was Honmanji Temple.

Some of the cherry blossoms have already fallen.

However, others were still blooming.

Kyoto Prefectural Ex-Head Office Building

Then, I visited Kyoto Prefectural Ex-Head Office Building.

Unfortunately, it has passed its peak times.

Nijo Castle

The next destination was Nijo Castle.

Since Nijo Castle is registered as a World Heritage Site, I saw lots of visitors from all over the world.

Cherry trees.

Ninomaru Palace.

Nijo Castle Garden.

Moat.

Observatory.

Shinsen-en Garden

After I left Nijo Castle, I moved to Shinsen-en Garden. The red bridge was impressive.

Higashiyama and Kiyomizu-dera area

Then, I moved to Higashiyama and Kiyomizu-dera area again.

Sweets for lunch.

Okazaki Canal with Jikkokubune boat.

Yasaka Pagoda.

Maiko (apprentice geisha).

Actually, they were not real Maiko, but foreign tourists who rent Maiko costumes.

I revisited Kiyomizu-dera Temple following the previous day.

Nio-mon gate and three-storied pagoda.

Three-storied pagoda.

Main hall with cherry blossoms.

Main hall and three-storied pagoda.

Then, I left Kiyomizu-dera temple.

[Closing]

That’s it for the article about Honmanji Temple, Nijo Castle, Shinsen-en and Kiyomizu-dera Temple etc. as part of Day 2. Although I was not able to visit due to schedule conflicts, Nijo Castle holds night illumination event and I would like watch it in the future. Talking of Kiyomizu-dera temple, I believe the best time to visit it is in autumn, but Spring is also good timing 🙂

In the next article, I will write about To-ji Temple (including evening illuminations) and Rikuson-no Shrine.