Apr 2, 2013 - 1 min read

Kyoto Gion Shirakawa canal walk

Sakura and sweet things that tweet in the night

By Bonson Lam

Community writer

Was she a geisha that walked past? A fleeting moment of night beauty at Gion Shirakawa in Springtime

Relax at a waterside restaurant by the canal at Gion Shirakawa in Springtime

The Cherry Blossoms show their Night beauty at Gion Shirakawa in Springtime

Night beauty at Gion Shirakawa in Springtime

Kyotoites are so enamoured with their birds that they are well known motif in their designs

Be tempted by the hole in the wall izakayas that line the laneways surrounding Gion Shirakawa Canal Walk

The Weeping Cherry steals the show at night fall at Gion Shirakawa in Springtime

The Cherry Blossoms show their Night beauty at Gion Shirakawa Canal

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.

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By Bonson Lam

Community writer

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Reyzi Enditya 9 years ago

so lucky you can meet Geisha there, i dont even get a glimpse

Bonson Lam Photographer 10 years ago

Thanks Justin! Both natural and human beauty makes its way in many motifs in Kyoto.

Justin Velgus 10 years ago

The out of focus shots can be interpreted as at one time not professional, and as another very artistic.
It is rare you caught a glimpse of a geisha on the move. I really like the bird lantern picture. It reminds me of your Kyoto bird watching article.