This is one of the most famous sakura sightseeing spots in Kyoto. Once this pathway could put you in deep thought about life while you walk under the sakura trees, is now crowded with tourists. I couldn’t blame them though, as even the reflection of the sakura along the small stream lining the path could even make you at daze in its beauty.
My Japanese friend invited me to go and experience an ochakai or tea party. Here, they performed tea ceremony and laid out sweets and whisked maccha to the guests. But it wasn’t as simple as that. I have to learn gestures and phrases, and then practice them before I could even go to this ochakai. The guests are seated on the floor, and you have to say certain things to your left and right neighbor, and also to the server, when you receive your snack and maccha. It’s very interesting experience. After drinking the maccha, we were then to enjoy the artworks around the tea room with reverence.
We also went here in a perfect timing as the shidare-zakura in the temple grounds are in full bloom.
Konkaikoumyou-ji, or more commonly known as Kurodani-dera, is located along the steep slope of the Yoshida hill in the Sakyo ward of Kyoto. Climbing the stairs towards the temple gate can be a bit exhausting, but you’ll be rewarded with a great view of the surrounding city.
It was my first sakura season back in 2016. I went to Kyoto Gyo-en or Imperial Garden and I remember biking there, which was rather tricky because of the rocky path, and I fell!
But anyway, it was a pleasant afternoon among the shidare-zakura under the warm spring sunlight.
Time sure flies by.
I guess this phrase is too cliche. But it’s partly true. It’s been a while since my last post and here I am back again after four years.
Many things have happened, that’s for sure, both bad and good. I’ve also adapted well now to life in Japan, especially here in Kyoto, and come to learn it’s nook and crannies. I’ve come to like the seasonal flowers, sweets, festivals, handicraft markets, Kamo river, and the affectionate obaa-chan.
And now here I am, on a crossroad.
But I will trust on my courage, and see how it goes.
The pandemic has also hit a huge toll in humanity, not just on the lives but also on how we define ourselves as social living beings. Cherishing every life’s moments has never been this relevant. It’s uncertain times ahead, but right now, the most important thing is to live on.
Beatific 