Cherry blossoms are at their peak in northern Kyoto Prefecture. In Ine Town, Kyoto Prefecture, a huge cherry tree stands out against the light of the cityscape at dusk. In Maizuru City, cherry blossoms associated with Sengoku warlords are in full bloom. The visitors are enjoying the expressive spring moment.
At Kaizo-ji Temple in Hirata, Ine-cho, Kyoto Prefecture, a single cherry tree is lit up at night. The boathouses and cherry blossoms lining Ine Bay at night create a fantastic scenery.
The cherry blossoms are Edohiganzakura and are said to be over 180 years old. It started being illuminated in 2008, and you can take pictures of the boathouse and the cherry blossoms together from the opposite shore across the ocean.
According to Kaizoji Temple, the flowers bloom on April 1st, 3 to 4 days later than usual. On April 4th, when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, photographers waited for the sun to set and aimed their cameras at the view of the cherry blossoms and boathouses emerging from the light from the opposite shore. Chief Priest Yuji Amano (48 years old) says, ''The illuminations, which were started to liven up the area, have now become a tourist attraction.I want many people to see them.'' The best time to see it is until April 9th. The light-up is from before sunset until 10pm.
At Ruriji Temple in Yoshida, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture, weeping cherry blossoms, a cultural property designated by Maizuru City, are in full bloom. Pale pink flowers bloom on the large, drooping branches, creating a spring-like atmosphere.
It is said that the cherry blossoms at Ruriji Temple were transplanted from Mt. Yoshida in Kyoto around the end of the 16th century by Hosokawa Yusai, a military commander from the Sengoku period, in order to comfort a court noble who was imprisoned here.
There is a first generation tree that is said to be over 300 years old, and a second generation tree that is about 100 years old that is planted next to it, and the two trees working together have created a dome of flowers in the precincts. Visitors take their time to look at it and take photos with their smartphones.
Kenichi Takada (74 years old), chairman of the ''Yoshida Ruriji Weeping Cherry Blossom Protection Association,'' which is made by a danka, said, ''Yoshida's weeping cherry blossoms are characterized by the color of their flowers changing from pink to white.April 10 I think I'll be able to enjoy it every day."
