Visiting Kyoto: A Night at Nijo Castle

Cherry Blossoms on top of the Keage Incline

Arrived in Kyoto, Japan today - a long-awaited visit. Our objective - "hanami" or flower-viewing!  It is cherry ("sakura") blossom time here in Japan.  We are here slightly past the first blooms, but our trip research indicated that the different varieties of trees bloomed at different times.  So although we were late for the first bloom, it was perfect timing for the "second bloom", which included the weeping cherry trees, and we hoped also to catch the late bloomers.      

We took the train from Kansai airport to Kyoto Station in the city centre (we are fortunate that our hotel is a short walk away from here).  The station itself is gigantic, with tonnes of eating places.  We would end up eating many meals here during our stay (not very adventurous,  but the wealth of restaurants is incredible). Indeed, our very first meal of the trip was here, in a humble ramen restaurant in Ramen Alley on the 10th Floor of the Station.   We also had dinner here, at Katsukura Tonkatsu Restaurant, one floor above.

We checked into our hotel and left quickly to go to the Keage Incline and Okazaki Canal in the hope of

Cherry Blosssoms at the canal

seeing at least a few of the early blooming cherry blossoms in these areas.  The incline is on elevated ground running parallel to the main road.  An old railway track runs here, presumably to bring goods from the city area to the canal where they would be further shipped to their destinations.  It is lined on both sides by cherry trees- must be spectacular in full bloom.  Right now, there were only a few trees in bloom, with the majority having dropped their petals and starting to unfurl their young leaves. There were also some later blooming trees overlooking the Canal, just inside the entrance to the Kyoto Zoo.  So we popped in and managed to get a photo or two.  Our first serious cherry tree photos!

Weeping cherry blossoms in the grounds of Nijo Castle

We went next to Nijo Castle.  It is a historic site, the home of the Tokugawa shoguns.  A UNESCO World

Cherry Blossoms at Night 

Heritage site.  But we were just there to see the night illuminations for the cherry blossoms!  At this time, we were only able to go through the gardens along the prescribed route which took us past a Japanese garden around a little pond, down an avenue lined with blossoms (again past their peak) and finally to a clump of illuminated weeping cherry blossom trees in full bloom.  We got there in the early evening, just before sunset (around 6.30pm).  So we were lucky enough to see the blossoms in the changing light, as the sun set around us.   

There was also a little fair in a courtyard beside the castle, and a performance area alongside.  We managed to catch a "koto" performance including the traditional favourite "sakura". (Koto is a string instrument, placed flat on the ground and the players sit by it and pluck the strings.

It is a bit of a pity that we were not able to see the castle proper, but I console myself that I can always revisit Kyoto (outside the cherry blossom period) and learn more about the Castle itself.

Overall, it was a good start to our stay in Kyoto, in terms of hanami experiences.  But my first impression is really of Japanese efficiency and how they are transforming the customer experience. Some examples:

• At the Airport.  Speedy immigration clearance, at baggage claim the bags all come out with the handle facing the passengers.  Made it so much easier to haul the suitcases off the track.
• Ramen restaurant.  You have to purchase a ticket for the meal from a vending machine upfront, which dispenses change etc before going within. A wait staff greets and seats you, and serves your tea (no charge) and your food.  No need for a cashier, faster turnover as customers don't wait for the bill. Not just fast food, but faster food!
• Hotel.  We paid for the room upfront (upon check in).  The room keys are to be returned upon check out (another vending machine)  The front desk dispensed a packet of coffee per person per day (choice between strong and medium coffee) and also asked us to choose from a selection of "extra" toiletries - we could take our pick of bath salts, hair grips, sponges, and many other things besides. The more standard items -  toothbrushes (one white, one pink), a big bottle of body shampoo, hair shampoo and conditioner etc.  No small little bottles for people to nick.  The toilet itself is small and highly functional.  With, of course, a heated toilet seat and bidet function.  

More photos on Flickr.  More posts and photos to come....