Sakura - April Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto
"Ren He" Temple & Cherry Blossoms
Imagine the long narrow stone-paved streets, the banks of the Kinagawa river, the steps leading to the ancient temples, the ponds where goldfish are swimming.... everywhere you step, you see cherry blossoms. White, pink, and occasionally red. Sakura, that is the name of Kyoto in April.

Actually, only the first 10 days of April are good for "Haname" (flower-watching). Some colleagues and I were lucky enough to visit Osaka this April and we spent the first weekend touring Kyoto. Saw more cherry blossoms than I had seen any flowers all my life. We ate at delicate, beautiful traditional Kyoto restaurants and had some awesome Kyo-ryori (Kyoto Cuisine). That was the best Spring outing I had had in a long time... And guess what, I did not have to pay much either!
Julie saying hi in Kyoto Julie and business partners in Kyoto Colleagues in a Kyoto garden Julie with two coworkers in front of cherry blossom tree
Julie on top of "Shogan Hill" overlooking Kyoto Julie and coworker in Kyoto Appreciating the flowers in Kyoto A picture together with the group in Kyoto
Temple and Cherry Tree Julie in front of a cherry blossom garden in Kyoto
April 11, 1998. Touring Kyoto with coworkers and business partners.
What a fun day, thanks to the extreme hospitality of our business partner in Osaka.