Come springtime in the evening, Kyoto’s cherry blossoms put on a beautiful display for the Sakura illuminations under the moonlight.

It is for a fleeting moment, during the last week of March and first week of April.

While there are no grassed areas for a Hanami picnic, strolling the Shirakawa Canal just five minutes north of Gion high street is a beautiful way to start your evening. Mineko Iwasaki, a geisha who was referenced in the book and film, “Memoirs of a Geisha”, used to live in a house moments from here. There are also restaurants with waterfront tables overlooking the canal, should you wish to linger a little longer.