Follow Your Hart

The sakura (cherry blossoms) are indescribably beautiful when in bloom. Yet, the sudden way the wind blows them off their branches and they fall to the ground in a blizzard of soft pink petals, makes them tragic at the same time. After posting my pictures of my sakura tour, I asked the question to a few people, “Would they still be as beautiful if they lasted more than two weeks?” Would we take them for granted if they did?

Look at how we treat the people we love sometimes. We fall in love with someone, their beauty growing the more we see them. Yet, over time, something happens with some people and they seem to no longer see the beauty in one another. Would that happen with the cherry blossoms if we could still see them in full bloom a month from now?

Perhaps it is fitting that I ask myself these questions as I stroll along the Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto.

The Philosopher’s Path is a pleasant walk. It’s a stone path in the northern part of Kyoto’a Higashiyama district. The path follows alongside a canal on both sides, and during the sakura, the path is lined with cherry blossom trees. The path gets the name “Philosopher’s Path” from Nishida Kitaro, one of Japan’s most popular philosophers. He practiced meditation while walking the path on daily walk to Kyoto University.

Crowds of people are now walking the path. Although the cherry blossoms are not in full bloom here today, there are still many trees with full petals, some just sprouting up. In a day or two, the entire canal will be filled with falling pink petals and blankets of trees that will look like soft clouds right above your head.

People stare at me- the man wearing a pink bow tie and gray suit. Perhaps they admire my style, my way of dressing for the occasion. It is Easter Sunday after all.

Finally, a place to sit and watch the crowds go by. A fresh baguette, a bottle of Bordeaux and soft aged cheese from France. With great company, surrounded by beauty, the perfect way to hanami (cherry blossom viewing) in Kyoto.

For one week, I fulfilled a dream and toured Japan to see the sakura in bloom. I’ll be posting highlights from my journal on this blog throughout the next few weeks along with posts from my current travel locations. Here is one.

Cherry blossom trees in bloom line the Philosopher's Path.

A reflection of the sakura along the Philosopher's Path.

Let me know what you think about the pictures from the Philosopher’s Path and please share this post with a “like” or a share on Facebook, Twitter and Share-holic. Thank you for visiting!

I get as much joy from helping a friend plan travel as I do when I plan my own. The research, especially the photographic side of choosing where to go, send endorphins running through my body. When you put a good trip plan together- leaving room for spontaneity of course- everything feels relaxing by the time you board for your destination.

My friend Nicole, who I mentioned earlier, is on her way to Japan next week. One of her destinations is Kyoto. I’ve been there twice now, so although I am not an expert, I will help her and you discover the places that are a MUST go in Kyoto through pictures. Each picture is one I took (unless it was taken of me) and has been edited in Adobe Photoshop CS4 to give it a postcard quality. I love sending postcards wherever I go, so I figured, “Why not begin making my own?” If you’d like a personalized postcard from me, email me your information at hartsallovertheworld@gmail.com.

Kyoto has more than 1600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines. Suffice to say, you aren’t going to see everything in Kyoto in a week or even a year. The city is very spread out as well, so the best thing to do is divide it into 3-4 zones (Northern, Central/Eastern, Western and Southern), and concentrate on one zone per day.

Your central hub will be Kyoto Station. From there you can easily take a bus or train to your sight-seeing destinations. The buses there are very tourist friendly and have English fonts and announcements to let you know when you approaching your stop of choice.

I recommend bookmarking THIS (links to Kyoto guide) great English website about Japan to help further your planning. By clicking on where you want to visit, it will give you detailed directions on how to get there.

Your must-see places in Kyoto:

Fushimi-inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of tori gates. Located in Southern Kyoto.

Ginkaku-ji, the ‘Silver Pavilion’ in Eastern Kyoto.

Nanzenji Temple in Eastern Kyoto. Get to here by walking along the Philosopher’s Path after leaving the Silver Pavilion.

While you’re on the Philosopher’s Path, take a relaxing break with matcha green tea at Yojiya Cafe.

Kinkaku-ji Temple, the Golden Pavilion, in Northern Kyoto.

Kiyomizudera Temple in Eastern Kyoto. One of Japan’s most celebrated temples.

Arashiyama‘s famous bamboo groves in Western Kyoto.

Ryoanji Temple in Northern Kyoto is most famous for the Zen rock garden but also has beautiful gardens and a lotus pond.

I highly recommend taking part in a green tea ceremony while in Kyoto. A great English speaking/foreigner friendly one is En in the Gion area.

Gion is also where to go to see Geisha (prefer to be called geiko here) and their Maiko apprentice. Best time to see them is after 16:00. Just don’t act like the Geisha paparazzi. Be respectful, use a long focal lens if available.

Toji Temple in Southern Kyoto is one of Kyoto’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a symbol of the city.

Path that takes you toward the Higashiyama District in Eastern Kyoto. The district is a great place to experience old Kyoto and shop for souvenirs.

Genko-an Temple with its wooden riddle. The riddle ask, “What is the difference between our ordinary way of looking at the world and the way of one who is enlightened?” You must visit this temple, look out the windows and determine the answer for yourself.

There are many, many more sights to see and things to experience while in Kyoto. Enjoy them all, and remember that you are sharing your world with people you will meet for the first time. Make friends, memories and treasures that will last a lifetime!