Spring at Hirano Shrine

Celebrate spring at the oldest annual festival in Kyoto

Cathy Cawood Mar 02, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Weeping cherry and lanterns<br />
 </p>

<p>Red wooden lanterns beside the path</p>

<p>Lanterns strung through the trees</p>

<p>Early evening, before the crowds arrive</p>

A cherry blossom festival has been held at Hirano Shrine every year since the year 985! It is the oldest annual festival in Kyoto. Food vendors and other stalls line the paths, small lanterns are strung through the trees, and all the bigger lanterns of the shrine add their warm glow to the scene, and over it all hang the branches of many beautiful weeping cherry trees.

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...