The Kirishima azalea on the Hachijogaike Nakabanki on the approach to Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine in Tenjin 2-chome, Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto Prefecture, has begun to bloom. A nearby woman who visited with an acquaintance said, ''It's beautiful. When it's in full bloom, the trees will be covered in bright red,'' looking forward to the best time to see them.
On the approximately 60 meter long approach that connects from east to west, approximately 100 trees are lined up in two rows from north to south, approximately 2.5 meters high. The oldest tree is estimated to be about 170 years old and has been designated as a natural monument by Nagaokakyo City.
''We thought February would be warm and flowering would be early, but the return of cold weather in March delayed the blooming by about a week compared to last year,'' said Chief Priest Munetoshi Nakakoji. The best time to see them will be this weekend.
