Kyoto

Cherry Blossom at Heian Jingu

Iconic Kyoto shrine looks pretty in pale pink

Cathy Cawood Mar 29, 2015 - 1 min read

<p>View of Heian Shrine with cherry tree in the foreground</p>

<p>The bough of a cherry tree frames a view of the red and green shrine</p>

<p>The blossoms are a wonderful counterpoint to the rich vermilion color of the shrine</p>

<p>Weeping cherry spilling out of the inner garden at Heian Shrine</p>

<p>An old cherry tree leans gracefully on supports</p>

<p>In spring the shrine has pink omikuji (fortune papers)</p>

<p>The pink fortune papers tied to bare branches look like strange cherry blossom  </p>

<p>Tea with rice crackers or sweet three-colored rice balls</p>

<p>A woman in a blue kimono stands under a cherry tree in the courtyard of Heian Shrine</p>

<p>Pink cherry blossom framed by the eaves of the shrine</p>

<p>A cherry tree extends its sheltering branched over the requests written on ema boards</p>

<p>Heian Shrine's big torii rising above the cherry blossom along the canal on Niomon Dori</p>

The elegant red Heian Jingu Shrine with green tiled roof is one of Kyoto's most famous sightseeing spots. It is particularly beautiful in spring when cherry blossoms are blooming. Cherry trees in the courtyard contrast with the red, adding delicate charm to views of the shrine. Pink weeping cherry spills out of the inner garden, and seasonally pink omikuji (fortune papers) look like strange blossoms tied onto the branches of bare trees.

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Find out more about Heian Shrine.

Cathy Cawood @cathy.cawood

I came to Japan in 2003 to teach English. I lived in Shiga prefecture for 1 year, and it still holds a special place in my heart. I lived in Kyoto for 9 years, then moved to Machida, Tokyo in 2014 after meeting my Japanese partner. I love to take photos, and my Japan in Pictures Facebook page ha...