KYOTO COLUMN

BLOGWalking

2020.03.28

Kyoto Dyed in Cherry Blossom Color③"Konoe Residence Site" in Kyoto Gyoen

"Kyoto Gyoen National Garden" is a popular place for both children and adults to relax.Many cherry trees are planted in the vast Imperial Gardens, and buds are bursting one after another.First, the remains of Konoe's residence are located on the west side of the Imadegawa-gomon Gate.The first thing to see here was "Itozakura".A type of weeping cherry tree named after the appearance of thin threads running through it.In connection with this "Konoe no Itozakura" there are many cypress trees planted in the park.The Konoe family was the head of the Gosekke (five top Fujiwara families whose members were eligible for the positions of Sessho and Kanpaku), an important family that produced many Sessho (regent) and Kanpaku (chief adviser to the Emperor) by the end of the Edo period.They have a residence on the west side of the pond in this garden, and the pond is known as a famous spot for itozakura.Near the Nakadachiuri Gate, there is also a standby cherry blossom called "Mikurumagaeshi zakura".It is said that the cherry tree was named after Emperor Gomizunoo who saw the beauty of the cherry tree by turning back the carriage.You can see Yamazakura most often in Kyoto Gyoen, but it is also exciting to see precious varieties.It is difficult to go out,now but I hope you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing on this website.Kyoto Gyoen National Garden3 Kyoto Gyoen, Kamigyo-ku Ward, Kyoto CityA short walk from Imadegawa subway station

BLOGWalking

2020.03.26

Kyoto Dyed in Cherry Blossom Color②"Honmanji Temple" related to the Konoe family

Various places in Kyoto have been dyed with light and dark cherry blossom colors.I went to "Honmanji Temple" associated with the Konoe family, which is about a 10 minute walk northwest of Keihan Demachiyanagi Station.Nisshu Shonin, son of Kanpaku, Michitsugu KONOE, built this temple in Imadegawa Shinmachi in 1410.Later, in 1539, it was moved to its current location, and it is one of the eight temples of the Nichiren sect in Kyoto.Entering from the west gate, weeping cherry trees over 90 years old which appear on the north side were in full bloom!It is said to be the sister tree of "Gion Shidarezakura" which is the symbol of Maruyama-kouen Park, and the branches are also impressive.After the best time to see Shidarezakura here, Beni Shidarezakura and Yaezakura will be at the best time.Peonies, the family crest of the Konoe family, are also planted in the precincts of the shrine, and you can continue enjoying the double cherry blossoms.If the timing is right, you might be able to enjoy the competition between Yaezakura and Botan.Its official name is "Kosenrufuzan Hongan Manzoku-ji Temple".It is a temple with a long history, which is said to have been a place of prayer for the Tokugawa family in the Edo period.I heard that many people come to enjoy Shidarezakura from early in the morning.We hope that you will enjoy the temple's hanami on this web site "KYOTO CHISHIN".Honman-ji Temple16-1 Tsuruyama-cho, Imadegawa agaru, Teramachi-dori Street, Kamigyo-ku Ward, Kyoto City10 minutes walk from Keihan Demachiyanagi StationHere is for Kyoto Dyed in Cherry Blossom Color①Signals the Cherry Blossom Season at Hirano-jinja Shrine "Sakigake"

BLOGWalking

2020.03.24

Kyoto Dyed in Cherry Blossom Color①Signals the Cherry Blossom Season at Hirano-jinja Shrine "Sakigake"

The cherry blossom season in Kyoto has finally arrived!Let me introduce Hirano Shrine, one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Kyoto.It is said to have been relocated from Heijo-kyu Palace to its current location in the year of the national capital transfer to Heian-kyo (794).I went to see the early blooming weeping cherry tree "Sakigake" in front of the shrine gate.It is said that buds burst one after another after "Sakigake" blooms.It is the forerunner variety.In the same way, the hybrid variety of Kanhizakura and Amagiyoshino "Yoko" is at its best.There are around 60 kinds and 400 cherry trees planted in the grounds and in the cherry garden, and there are many rare varieties.For example, "Hirano Nadeshiko" is characterized by slits that remind you of petals of Nadeshiko.It is said to have originated in Hirano-jinja Shrine and was named after Mt. Kinugasa near Hirano-jinja Shrine "Kinugasa".They have large flowers, and when they are in full bloom they appear to be flying butterflies "Kocho"."Ukon" which blooms after Someiyoshino and has a unique pale yellow color.This is why it is called "Sakura no Yashiro" and it lasts for about 1 month from early to late blooming.It is also known as "Yozakura in Hirano" as it was opened to the public during the Edo period.I hope you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in the blue sky and the cherry blossoms at night lit up next year.Hirano-jinja Shrine1 Hirano-Miyamoto-cho, Kita-ku Ward, Kyoto City2 minute walk from the Ichi bus stop Kinugasa koumae

BLOGShop

2020.03.20

A sweets to ward off evil, which was established right after the Onin War "Mizuta Gyokuundo"

In the 1000 year history of Kyoto, the plague of misfortune has spread many times, and Shinto rituals to appease misfortune have been held in various places.At the time of Shinto rituals, sweets and rice cakes were offered as a blessing to ward off diseases.This time, we would like to introduce the Monzen Kashi of Goryo-jinja Shrine (Kamigoryo-jinja Shrine), which is famous as a shrine to ward off evil."Gyokuundo Mizuta" was established more than 540 years ago in 1477.The origin of this famous sweet "Karaita" is nearly 1160 years ago.It is said that it was triggered by a plague of misfortune in Kyoto in 863.At that time, "Goryo-e" was being held at Shinsen-en Garden in order to eliminate the epidemic.The Chinese style rice crackers offered at that time are said to be the origin of the "Karaita".KIBI no Makibi, one of the enshrined deities of Goryo-jinja Shrine, brought back "Karaita Senbei (Chinese rice cracker) " as a Japanese envoy to Tang Dynasty China in the Nara period.However, Goryo-e was abolished in the Onin War (1467-1477) in the Muromachi period.It is said that, after the war, the ancestors of Mizuta Gyokuundo learned how to make "Karaita Senbei" based on the past records, which led to the restoration of Toita senbei.A teahouse was opened in the precincts of Goryo-jinja Shrine, and "Karaita" became popular as a confection to ward off evil.The cafe was moved to Toriimae of Goryo-jinja Shrine in the early Showa period "Gyokuundo Mizuta".We have been selling only 1 kind of "Karaita" for more than 540 years since our establishment.The ingredients for "Karaita" are simple: flour, sugar, and eggs.On the other hand, one of the reasons for its depth is that it is made by a more complicated process than I expected.The "Karaita" which is carefully hand-baked one by one, has a surprisingly crispy texture.It is cut into thin rectangles and looks like a charm to ward off evil.Why don't you buy it on your way home from Goryo Shrine?Mizuta Gyokuundo394 Kamigoryomae-cho, Karasuma Higashi-iru, Kamigoryomae-dori, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City3 minute walk from Kuramaguchi Subway Station

BLOGWalking

2020.03.14

Early blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto⑥Cherry Blossom Line in a Retro School Building "Kyu Seitoku Junior High School"

These days, I have an elegant habit of getting up early and admiring cherry blossoms.On this day, I went to a spot with early blooming cherry blossoms, which is a 10 minute walk from Shijo-Karasuma.It is an impressive "Kyu (Old) Seitoku Junior High School" with continuous arched windows that enter the west of Muromachi on Takatsuji-dori.In order to send out the graduates, the cherry trees "spring tide", which are said to have been bred to bloom in March every year, are in full bloom!The pale pink rows of cherry trees spread out as if they were literally adding flowers to the school building in the nesting season.The former Kyu Seitoku Junior High School was closed about 20 years ago due to the merger and is now used as a community facility.The Harumeki-zakura cherry tree, which is still blooming this spring, seems to be giving encouragement to graduates and people on the road all over Japan.There are also flower beds with tulips and leaf buttons around the cherry trees and in front of the entrance.Although there are no graduates or current students, the cherry trees and well-maintained flowerbeds convey the school's spring scenery.Kyu Seitoku Junior High School290 Hanjo-cho, Muromachi Nishi-iru, Takatsuji-dori, Shimogyo-ku Ward, Kyoto City8 minutes walk from Hankyu Karasuma Station or Subway Shijo StationHere is for Early blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto①Many legends remain "Ichijo Modori-bashi Bridge"Here is for Early blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto②"Chotoku-ji Temple" in front of Demachiyanagi StationHere is for Early blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto③From Kamo-ohashi Bridge to Sanjo-ohashi BridgeHere is for Early blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto④Little-known sakura spot "Hyakumanben Chionji TempleHere is for Early blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto⑤Cherry trees related to the lord of Tokushima Domain bloom "Shojoke-in Temple" and "Toyokuni-jinja Shrine"

BLOGWalking

2020.03.14

Early blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto⑤Cherry trees related to the lord of Tokushima Domain bloom "Shojoke-in Temple" and "Toyokuni-jinja Shrine"

Since it was a warm winter this year, we were able to enjoy the early blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto even earlier than usual.It seems that some trees are already cherry leaves in the middle of March.The early-blooming cherry trees I would like to introduce this time were in bloom at the "Shojoke-in Temple" in Teramachi-dori Hirokoji.It is a light red "Hachisuka zakura" that colors the precincts of the shrine.It is located in the palace of Tokushima-jo Castle until the Edo period, and has a history of being loved by the lord of Tokushima Domain for generations "Sakura Hachisuka".Currently, you can only love it at the shrines and temples associated with the Tokushima domain and the Hachisuka family, the successive lords of the domain.Why are there cherry trees related to the lord of Tokushima Domain in Seijoke-in in Kyoto?Many of you may have thought that, well, that's a good thing.The grave of the 7th lord of Tokushima Domain, Hachisuka Munehide is located in Shojoke-in, and it was planted about 10 years ago."Hachisuka zakura" is also planted in "Toyokuni-jinja Shrine" because the Hachisuka family served Lord Hideyoshi.It was named after the Hachisuka family who ruled Tokushima Domain "Hachisuka zakura".Unexpectedly, it was a time when I remembered the Tokushima domain in the end of Edo period in Kyoto.Shojoke-in Temple395 Kitanobe machi, Hirokoji agaru, Teramachi, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto CityFive minutes walk from the City bus stop, Furitsu Idaibyoin-maeToyokuni-jinja Shrine530 Yamato-oji Shomen Chaya-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto CityIt is a 5 minute walk from the city bus stop museum, 33 ken do.Here is for Early blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto①Many legends remain "Ichijo Modori-bashi Bridge"Here is for Early blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto②"Chotoku-ji Temple" in front of Demachiyanagi StationHere is for Early blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto③From Kamo-ohashi Bridge to Sanjo-ohashi BridgeHere is for Early blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto④Little-known sakura spot "Hyakumanben Chionji Temple

BLOGWalking

2020.03.12

Early blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto④Little-known sakura spot "Hyakumanben Chionji Temple

It's mid-March and the days are getting longer.One of my recent pleasures is getting up early and going to see cherry blossoms on foot or by bicycle.On this day, I walked up and went to "Hyakumanben" where Imadegawa-dori Street and Higashioji-dori Street cross.I encountered early blooming cherry blossoms at "Hyakumanben Chionji Temple", which is also known as "Hyaku Manbun-san".The "Fujizakura" (Mamezakura) is planted beside the bell tower in the precincts.Entering from the west gate facing Higashioji-dori Street, you can see the "Okame Zakura" along the approach.When I enjoy cherry blossoms in the clear morning air, I feel like my heart is being purified.Someiyoshino, weeping cherry trees and mountain cherry trees bloom in the precincts in early April, and this is also something to look forward to.It has a campus of Kyoto University and is known as a town for students "Hyakumanben".Although located about a 10 minute walk to the east from Demachiyanagi, Hyakumanben Chion-ji Temple is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot that is only known to those in the know.Hyakumanben Chion-ji Temple103 Tanaka Monzen-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City7 minutes walk from Demachiyanagi Station of Keihan Electric Railway or 2 minutes walk from Ichi bus stop 1 million henHere is for Early blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto①Many legends remain "Ichijo Modori-bashi Bridge"Here is for Early blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto②"Chotoku-ji Temple" in front of Demachiyanagi StationHere is for Early blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto③From Kamo-ohashi Bridge to Sanjo-ohashi Bridge

BLOGWalking

2020.03.10

Early blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto③From Kamo-ohashi Bridge to Sanjo-ohashi Bridge

You can enjoy the early blooming Okame-zakura (okame cherry blossoms) and kanhibizakura that were introduced in "KYOTO CHISHIN" the other day.From Chotoku-ji Temple, go south along Kawabata-dori Street, and in the bank at the west end of Kamo-ohashi Bridge, Ibo-zakura is blooming.If you walk further south for about 30 minutes to Sanjo-ohashi Nishizume (the west end of Sanjo-ohashi Bridge), Kawazu-zakura will greet you.Kawazu-zakura was also blooming on Ichijo Modori-bashi Bridge the other day.Even if it's the same variety, it's fun that the impression is different depending on the angle and time as well as the place to see.The Yajikita statue next to Kawazu-zakura is also waiting for the blooming of Shidarezakura right above.Shidarezakura and Someiyoshino cherry trees will be in full bloom in just a few weeks, along the Kamo-gawa River.We are planning to hold "KYOTO CHISHIN" for a while, so we hope you enjoy it.Here is for Early blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto①Many legends remain "Ichijo Modori-bashi Bridge"Here is for Early blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto②"Chotoku-ji Temple" in front of Demachiyanagi Station