Fukui's Jotokuji Temple with Sakura

Gorgeous weeping cherry trees in the temple grounds

Takako Sakamoto Apr 20, 2015 - 1 min read

<p>Gorgeous weeping cherry tree cascading down in front of a belfry</p>

<p>The stone marker of Jotokuji Temple in Fukui City</p>

<p>The main hall of Jotokuji Temple with a pretty pink cherry tree under the blue sky</p>

<p>Tall weeping cherry tree standing near the main hall</p>

<p>They still have unopened cherry buds which will bloom soon!</p>

<p>Cascading cherry tree boughs and a stone lantern</p>

<p>Looking up at a belfry, cherry trees and the blue sky. How refreshing in almost always gray Fukui!</p>

<p>This tree looks like a proud queen in a gorgeous pink gown!</p>

<p>Pink cherry blossoms and green leaves are making a striking contrast with the blue sky above</p>

<p>Weeping willow tree in fresh green</p>

<p>Temple sign viewed through green weeping willow tree leaves</p>

<p>Cascading cherry branches and the main hall</p>

<p>The view of the main hall seen from the gate</p>

<p>Belfry with a pink weeping cherry tree under the blue sky</p>

The other day when I was driving back home, I spotted a very beautiful weeping cherry tree fully blooming in a temple in my neighborhood. Although I didn't know anything about the temple and it was not a tourist spot or anything, I couldn't resist the temptation. It turned out to be Jotokuji Temple of Shinshu Otani sect, whose mother temple is Higashi (east) Honganji in Kyoto. The cherry blossoms I spotted belonged to two cascading cherry trees on the temple grounds. It was a rare sunny day in Fukui and these trees were blooming happily under the blue sky. They made me happy, too!

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...